This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
ATL (-8) at DET, O/U: 227.5
CHI at PHI (-6.5), O/U: 229
HOU at MIA (-15), O/U:
POR at MIN (-15.5), O/U:
UTA at DAL (-1), O/U:
LAL at SAS (-2), O/U: 232
GSW at DEN (-9), O/U:
NYK at SAC (-3.5), O/U: 229.5
The Warriors are resting most of their starters against the Nuggets, which results in a number of value opportunities. The Nuggets are on the second night of a back-to-back and will have to stay focused against players that will be looking to make the most of the opportunity.
The Heat have a favorable matchup against the Rockets, who are on the second night of a back-to-back. The Timberwolves have an advantage against a shorthanded Trail Blazers lineup.
The Bulls-76ers is a clash of the heavyweights and should be a competitive matchup with reliable star power.
Injuries to Monitor
ATL - Kevin Huerter (shoulder): Questionable
Bogdan Bogdanovic will get a boost if Huerter is out.
DET - Hamidou Diallo (illness): Questionable
Frank Jackson (back): OUT
Killian Hayes is in line for added playing time.
CHI - Nikola Vucevic (hamstring): Questionable
Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist): OUT
Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White continue to carry the backcourt. Javonte Green, Derrick Jones and Tristan Thompson would all see added opportunity if Vucevic is out.
HOU - Dennis Schroder (ankle): Questionable
Josh Christopher sees more action if Schroder is sidelined.
MIA - Caleb Martin (achilles): Questionable
Kyle Lowry (personal): OUT
Gabe Vincent gets another start without Lowry. Max Strus is up for more playing time if Martin is out.
POR - Eric Bledsoe (Achilles), Damian Lillard (abdomen), Jusuf Nurkic (foot), Justise Winslow (Achilles), Anfernee Simons (quadriceps): OUT
Brandon Williams, CJ Elleby, Josh Hart, Greg Brown and Drew Eubanks are expected to start.
MIN - Patrick Beverley (ankle), Taurean Prince (back), Naz Reid (hamstring), Anthony Edwards (knee): Questionable
Jaden McDaniels, Malik Beasley and Jordan McLaughlin are in line for added playing time.
DAL - Jalen Brunson (foot), Maxi Kleber (ankle): Questionable
Marquese Chriss (knee), Tim Hardaway (foot): OUT
Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans have room to step up.
LAL - LeBron James (knee): Questionable
Anthony Davis (foot): OUT
Carmelo Anthony and Talen Horton-Tucker will have more opportunity if James is out.
SAS - Dejounte Murray (calf), Devin Vassell (groin), Keita Bates-Diop (back): Questionable
Josh Richardson, Lonnie Walker and Tre Jones could be up for big minutes.
GSW - Stephen Curry (rest), Gary Payton (knee), Klay Thompson (rest), Andrew Wiggins (rest), Draymond Green (back), Andre Iguodala (back): OUT
Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, Moses Moody, Otto Porter and Kevon Looney are expected to start.
NYK - Taj Gibson (illness), Nerlens Noel (foot), Obi Toppin (hamstring): Questionable
Quentin Grimes (knee), Derrick Rose (ankle): OUT
Immanuel Quickley is up for more minutes in the backcourt. Cam Reddish could see a boost in the frontcourt.
SAC - Jeremy Lamb (hip): Questionable
Donte DiVincenzo will pick up additional playing time.
Elite Players
Guards
Trae Young ($10,200)
Young has a favorable matchup against the Pistons, who are giving up an average of 112.5 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot an average of 47.4 percent from the field, which is fourth highest in the league. He is averaging 29.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 9.5 assists over the last 10 games, topping 55 DK points five times.
D'Angelo Russell ($8,200)
Russell has an advantage against the Trail Blazers, who are short-handed in the backcourt. He is averaging 20.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games, including one game in which he logged 54.5 DK points.
Forwards/Centers
Jimmy Butler ($8,500)
Butler has an advantage in his matchup against the Rockets, who are playing on the second night of a back-to-back and who give up a league high in points per game. Butler is coming off a couple quieter outings, but he needs to step up for the Heat in the absence of Kyle Lowry.
Julius Randle ($9,500)
Randle is playing on the second night of a back-to-back but has a favorable matchup against the Kings, who are giving up an average of 115.1 points per game, second most in the league. Randle topped 55 DK points five times over the last 10 games.
Joel Embiid ($12,000)
Embiid will be looking to lead his team back from a loss in their last game. The star center is averaging 30.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks over the last 10 games, and he topped 60 DK points five times over that span.
Expected Chalk
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,600)
The Timberwolves host the Trail Blazers, who are fourth worst in the league allowing 113.0 points per game, while also allowing opponents to shoot 47.5 percent from the field, which is third worst. Portland is missing bodies in the frontcourt, which leaves more room for Towns to operate. Towns is averaging 26.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games, including two games in which he topped 68 DK points.
Value Picks
Gabe Vincent ($4,800)
Vincent continues to pick up extra responsibility in place of Lowry. He is averaging 15.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists over the last five games.
Immanuel Quickley ($4,200)
Quickley has topped 29 DK points in three of his last four games. He is coming off an impressive outing in which he logged 21 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a steal.
Reggie Bullock ($4,400)
Bullock continues to see more playing time. He is averaging 10.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals over the last five games, including one game in which he totaled 33.8 DK points.
Jarred Vanderbilt ($4,800)
Vanderbilt is averaging 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists over the last 10 games, including five games in which he surpassed 24 DK points.
P.J. Tucker ($3,400)
Tucker is averaging 5.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists over the last 10 games, but he can explode for bigger totals and he logged 34 DK points in a recent outing. He has a favorable matchup against the Rockets' defense.
