This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
PHI (-5) vs. DET, O/U: 208
UTA vs. ATL (-1.5), O/U: 220.5
BOS vs. MIA (-6.5), O/U: 214.5
HOU vs. PHX (-10.5), O/U: 217
OKC vs. LAL (-13), O/U: 214.5
The Celtics-Heat is a great contest to focus on, with a nice selection of stars, supplemented by some key value picks that can round out a solid lineup. It should be a competitive contest, but keep in mind Miami's defense could suppress the overall scoring. Nonetheless, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are strong picks on the Celtics' side, while guys like Marcus Smart and Al Horford can add depth at a reasonable cost. On the other hand, look for Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to lead the way for the Heat, while Tyler Herro is a great mid-range option, and Dewayne Dedmon can provide some good value.
Also, look to the Jazz-Hawks matchup for good pickings. Donovan Mitchell and Royce O'Neale are both listed as questionable, which could open up more value for guys like Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson, Joe Ingles and even Mike Conley, as they will all see extra minutes and need to chip in to cover the load offensively. However, if Mitchell does play, the matchup against the Hawks is a favorable one. On the Hawks' side, Trae Young playing at home is never a bad look.
Injuries to Monitor
Danny Green (hamstring), Tobias Harris (covid): OUT
With Green and Harris sidelined, Furkan Korkmaz and Seth Curry both see increases in usage and value on the wings, while Joel Embiid becomes a more attractive option, as he will pick up a few extra shots. Matisse Thybulle is another player who will benefit from some additional minutes and could make a solid value pick.
Donovan Mitchell (ankle), Royce O'Neale (ankle): Questionable
If Mitchell is out, then look for Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley to see the majority of shots on offense, while guys like Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson will also see increases in minutes and playmaking responsibility.
Danuel House (ankle), Daniel Theis (toe), Eric Gordon (illness): Questionable
If House and/or Gordon are sidelined, then guys like Jae'Sean Tate and David Nwaba will need to chip in a bit extra on the wings, while D.J. Augustin would also pick up a few extra minutes off the bench. If Theis is sidelined, then Alperen Sengun should continue to see extra run and likely get the start, while Kenyon Martin will be used more heavily off the bench.
Deandre Ayton (leg), Cameron Payne (hamstring): Questionable
Ayton did not play in the Suns' most recent contest, which left JaVale McGee with the starting role, where he played 18 minutes, while Frank Kaminsky saw a boost in value, with 28 minutes off the bench. On the other hand, in the absence of Payne, the Suns will look to Landry Shamet and Elfrid Payton to continue to play key minutes at the guard positions off the bench.
Luguentz Dort (shoulder): Questionable
With Dort potentially sidelined, the Thunder will likely spread the minutes around to guys like Theo Maledon, Kenrich Williams and Aleksej Pokusevski off the bench, while going with a bigger starting lineup, including Derrick Favors, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Darius Bazley, alongside guards Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
LeBron James (ankle): Questionable
LeBron's status has been questionable for the last few games, but he has managed to play in the last three contests after missing a couple prior. Keep an eye on his status coming up to game time, as his presence means he is a solid look as usual. Still, his absence would mean more responsibility on Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook to lead the way, while Carmelo Anthony would surely pick up a few extra shots as well.
Elite Players
Guard
Trae Young ($9,900)
The Jazz may also be without Donovan Mitchell (questionable), which would take away a defender. Young is averaging 22.9 points, 9.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.
Chris Paul ($8,500)
Chris Paul is averaging 13.0 points, 11.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game, and going up against one of his former squads, the Rockets, should be a good opportunity for him to excel even beyond some of those averages. Paul will be matched up against a young backcourt and will have a clear advantage in getting the defense to bend to his will.
Forward/Center
Jimmy Butler ($9,600)
Butler has been one of the best performers in the NBA so far, averaging 25.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.9 steals per game. The Heat will be hosting the Celtics, who are facing the second night of a back-to-back, and although Butler will be going up against Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the wing, he is not one to shy away from a challenge and will be looking to prove who is boss.
Anthony Davis ($10,300)
Davis goes up against the Thunder, who simply do not have the personnel to contain him on offense, while he will also have an advantage on the defensive end, which should help him rack up a couple of blocks. If LeBron James (questionable) is sidelined, then Davis is an even better pick, as he will have a greater responsibility on both ends of the floor. Considering the Thunder already defeated the Lakers once this season, a competitive game can be expected. Davis will not take a back seat and will need to bring a considerable effort to give his team the advantage they need.
Joel Embiid ($10,500)
Embiid is playing on the second night of a back-to-back, but with Tobias Harris out, the big man will need to cover up in the frontcourt, and going up against the Pistons should be a good opportunity for him to put up some big numbers without too much resistance. Embiid put up solid numbers across the board on Wednesday night, with 18 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block, but he should be able to top at least the scoring and rebounding totals going up against a struggling Pistons team.
Expected Chalk
Bam Adebayo ($8,100)
Bam goes up against the Celtics, who will be facing the second night of a back-to-back on the road, meaning their frontcourt will have tired legs, in addition to the fact that they do not have much reliable frontcourt help off the bench. This combination should leave Adebayo with a clear advantage, especially considering that he has been off to a great start to the season, averaging 20.8 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. Adebayo has undoubtedly benefited from playing alongside Kyle Lowry, who has done a good job of finding him for a few easy buckets to help get his rhythm going early. The Celtics should still give the Heat a good contest, which will require a well-rounded effort from the home side, meaning Adebayo will have to go to work to get the job done for his team. Adebayo and Lowry should have the greater advantage in their matchups among the Heat's big three, as Jimmy Butler will be a little bit more occupied by the Celtics' strong wing players, which means the Heat's big man could be in line for a major outing.
Value Picks
Furkan Korkmaz ($4,700)
Korkmaz will continue to see a boost in value as the Sixers remain without Danny Green and Tobias Harris. Green's absence leaves a chunk of minutes to be filled in the backcourt, while both players' absences leave plenty of extra shots, especially from long range, which is Korkmaz's specialty.
Killian Hayes ($3,900)
Hayes goes up against the short-handed Sixers backcourt, and with Cade Cunningham in the lineup for Detroit, it gives Hayes a little bit more room to operate. He has the advantage of playing at home against an opponent who is facing the second night of a back-to-back, and he should be able to out-perform the low price tag.
Matisse Thybulle ($3,600)
Without Tobias Harris, Thybulle got the start in the Sixers' last contest and will likely see extended minutes once again. He may not put up huge scoring totals, but his ability to rack up blocks and steals can boost his fantasy numbers in a hurry. Thybulle totaled three steals and two blocks in the 76ers' last contest.
Cameron Johnson ($3,200)
Johnson continues to see significant minutes off the bench for the Suns, and he should find himself in favorable matchups against the Rockets' second unit. He could also pick up some extra minutes if the score becomes lopsided. Keep an eye out for the status of Deandre Ayton and Cameron Payne, who are both listed as questionable, as their absences would open up more opportunities for Johnson.
