This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
DET vs. IND (-10.5), O/U: 210
PHI vs. BKN (-1), O/U: 216
NYK (-5) vs. HOU, O/U: 214
WAS vs. PHX (-8), O/U: 213.5
The Wizards-Suns matchup should provide the grounds for a strong lineup. Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton of the Suns are reliable selections in the upper price tier.
Kyle Kuzma, Spencer Dinwiddie and Montrezl Harrell of the Wizards are good options in the middle price range. Mikal Bridges, Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson each stand out from the mid-tier on the Suns' side.
Finally, in the low price range, Jae Crowder and JaVale McGee came come up big in their roles for the Suns, while Landry Shamet is expected to pick up another start. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Davis Bertans and Deni Avdija can pay off for the Wizards.
Injuries to Monitor
Killian Hayes (thumb): Questionable
Jerami Grant (thumb): OUT
The Pistons will remain without their leading scorer, Jerami Grant, which should mean another start for Hamidou Diallo. If Hayes is absent, Cade Cunningham will need to take a bigger responsibility in the backcourt, while Saben Lee and Frank Jackson would be in line for a boost in playing time.
T.J. McConnell (wrist), Torrey Craig (illness): OUT
Chris Duarte, Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday will see some extra playing time in the absence of McConnell and Craig.
Furkan Korkmaz (illness): Questionable
Georges Niang (COVID-19): OUT
Shake Milton and Danny Green should see a boost off the bench.
LaMarcus Aldridge (COVID-19), DeAndre' Bembry (COVID-19), Bruce Brown (COVID-19), James Harden (COVID-19), Joe Harris (ankle), James Johnson (COVID-19), Paul Millsap (COVID-19): OUT
The Nets will need to rely heavily on Kevin Durant to lead the way, while guys like Nicolas Claxton, David Duke and Cam Thomas will have to fill significant roles.
Quentin Grimes (COVID-19), RJ Barrett (COVID-19), Obi Toppin (COVID-19): Questionable
Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson should each see some extra action if Toppin is sidelined. Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley would pick up a boost with Barrett and/or Grimes out.
Jalen Green (hamstring), Christian Wood (knee): Questionable
Danuel House (ankle), Kevin Porter (thigh): OUT
D.J. Augustin, Garrison Mathews and Eric Gordon will continue to see extra playing time if Green remains out, along with House and Porter. Armoni Brooks should also see increased action coming off the bench.
Devin Booker (hamstring): OUT
With Booker sidelined, Landry Shamet will remain in the starting lineup, while Cameron Johnson should see more action off the bench.
Elite Players
Guards
Chris Paul ($9,700)
Paul consistently put up substantial numbers across the board for the Suns, averaging 15.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game. With Devin Booker sidelined, Paul will be encouraged to step up even more to lead the way.
Cade Cunningham ($8,600)
Cunningham has been playing well lately, averaging 17.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals over the last 10 games. He has topped 50 DK points in two of the previous four games and is becoming a constant triple-double threat.
Forwards/Centers
Domantas Sabonis ($10,500)
Sabonis and the Pacers take on the Pistons, who are giving up 109.4 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot a league-high 47.7 percent from the field. Sabonis should also find an advantage against the Pistons' shorthanded and smaller frontcourt.
Julius Randle ($10,000)
Randle and the Knicks take on the Rockets, who are giving up an average of 112.6 points per game, which is third most in the league. Randle continues to put up reliable numbers, as he is averaging 18.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games.
Joel Embiid ($11,400)
Embiid and the 76ers take on the Nets, who will be without much of their frontcourt depth, which should leave him with a significant advantage in the paint. Embiid will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back, after the Sixers lost to the Heat at home, while he posted 17 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block in 37 minutes.
Expected Chalk
Kevin Durant ($12,300)
Durant will need to carry the shorthanded Nets, who are without James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, and most of their usual rotation. Durant has shown he can step up the task many times before, and going up against the 76ers, who are on the second night of a back-to-back, he should find an advantage against his primary defender for most of the night. Durant has topped 72 DK points in each of the last two games, and he has topped 50 DK points in seven of his last 10 games.
Value Picks
Oshae Brissett ($3,600)
Brissett has been seeing consistent minutes lately for the Pacers, averaging 23 minutes per game over the last six games. He topped 18 DK points four times over that span and should have a good opportunity going up against the struggling Pistons.
Saddiq Bey ($4,900)
Bey is averaging 30 minutes per game over the last 10 games, and he has topped 20 DK points in five of those contests. He should see a boost in his role while Jerami Grant remains sidelined.
Jae Crowder ($4,700)
Crowder averages 28 minutes per game for the Suns and has topped 19 DK points in eight of the last 10 games.
Garrison Mathews ($4,600)
Mathews has started in the last nine games for the Rockets. He has topped 18 DK points in each of those contests, including one occasion where he went off for 38.5 DK points.
Chris Duarte ($4,600)
Duarte has started the last six games for the Pacers and is averaging 12.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals over that span. He should continue to see a boost in playing time, as the Pacers remain shorthanded in the backcourt.
