This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
HOU vs. IND (-8.5), O/U: 223.5
NOP (-6) vs. ORL, O/U: 208.5
ATL vs. PHI (-10.5), O/U: 209
DET vs. MIA (-11), O/U: 205
WAS (-1) vs. NYK, O/U: 211
MIL (-4.5) vs. DAL, O/U: 209.5
CHA (-3) vs. DEN, O/U: 229
OKC vs. PHX (-15), O/U: 214
MIN vs. UTA (-12), O/U: 227.5
MEM vs. GSW (-5.5), O/U: 216.5
SAS vs. LAL (-1.5), O/U: 223.5
The Hornets-Nuggets, Timberwolves-Jazz and Spurs-Lakers are all expected to be high-scoring contests, which will also feature many unique value opportunities due to shorthanded lineups on each side.
Look for guys like LeBron James (Lakers), Donovan Mitchell (Jazz) and Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) to continue their excellent play and lead their teams. Kelly Oubre (Hornets), Desmond Bane (Grizzlies) and Derrick White (Spurs) are medium-priced players who have been playing well in significant roles for their respective teams.
Wayne Ellington (Lakers), Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves) and Jeff Green (Nuggets) are examples of low-priced players picking up additional responsibilities for their shorthanded squads.
Injuries to Monitor
Kevin Porter (thigh): OUT
Garrison Mathews will continue to see a larger role.
Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles): Questionable
T.J. McConnell (wrist): OUT
Chris Duarte and Brad Wanamaker would be up for a boost if Brogdon is out.
Cole Anthony (ankle), Wendell Carter (leg): Questionable
Mo Bamba (ankle), R.J. Hampton (COVID-19), Terrence Ross (COVID-19), Jalen Suggs (thumb), Moritz Wagner (COVID-19): OUT
Gary Harris, Franz Wagner and Chuma Okeke will be up for big minutes. If Carter is out, Robin Lopez should see significant playing time as well.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (COVID-19), Clint Capela (COVID-19), Danilo Gallinari (COVID-19), Trae Young (COVID-19), Kevin Huerter (illness), Lou Williams (COVID-19): OUT
Delon Wright should be up for another start in the absence of Young. Gorgui Dieng got the start in place of Capela on Wednesday, while Skylar Mays and Cam Reddish also picked up bigger roles.
Andre Drummond (COVID-19), Danny Green (COVID-19), Shake Milton (COVID-19), Georges Niang (COVID-19): OUT
The Sixers are missing most of their second unit, leaving big minutes for Furkan Korkmaz and Isaiah Joe coming off the bench.
Frank Jackson (ankle): Questionable
Cade Cunningham (COVID-19), Jerami Grant (thumb), Kelly Olynyk (knee): OUT
Saddiq Bey will continue to see more opportunity on the offensive side, while Saben Lee, Cory Joseph and Trey Lyles should see the most opportunity off the bench.
Jimmy Butler (back), Bam Adebayo (thumb), P.J. Tucker (knee), Caleb Martin (COVID-19): OUT
Gabe Vincent and Max Strus are expected to pick up starts in place of Butler and Tucker, while Dewayne Dedmon fills in for Adebayo.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (COVID-19): OUT
Deni Avdija is likely to pick up the start in place of Pope.
Quentin Grimes (COVID-19), Kevin Knox (COVID-19), RJ Barrett (COVID-19): Questionable
Immanuel Quickley (COVID-19), Derrick Rose (ankle), Nerlens Noel (COVID-19): OUT
Kemba Walker is up for a continued boost in playing time. Walker has topped 40 DK points in each of the last two games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (COVID-19), Bobby Portis (COVID-19): OUT
Jordan Nwora and DeMarcus Cousins will continue to see ample opportunity in the Bucks' frontcourt.
Kristaps Porzingis (toe): Questionable
Reggie Bullock (COVID-19), Trey Burke (COVID-19), Luka Doncic (COVID-19), Tim Hardaway (COVID-19), Maxi Kleber (COVID-19): OUT
Jalen Brunson and Frank Ntilikina should be up for extended minutes in the Mavs' backcourt.
Cody Martin (COVID-19): OUT
Kelly Oubre and P.J. Washington will be the focus off the Hornets' bench.
Jaylen Nowell (thumb), Naz Reid (calf): Questionable
Patrick Beverley (COVID-19), Anthony Edwards (COVID-19), Josh Okogie (COVID-19), Taurean Prince (COVID-19), Jarred Vanderbilt (COVID-19): OUT
Leandro Bolmaro, Malik Beasley and Jaden McDaniels are in line for big minutes for the Timberwolves.
Tyus Jones (finger): Questionable
Brandon Clarke (knee): OUT
Kyle Anderson and De'Anthony Melton should be up for some extra action.
Andre Iguodala (knee), Damion Lee (COVID-19), Jordan Poole (COVID-19), Andrew Wiggins (COVID-19): OUT
Gary Payton, Jonathan Kuminga are expected to pick up the start, while Otto Porter and Juan Toscano-Anderson will likely see more playing time off the bench.
Malik Monk (COVID-19), Avery Bradley (COVID-19), Anthony Davis (knee): OUT
Wayne Ellington and Talen Horton-Tucker are projected to start, while Isaiah Thomas and Carmelo Anthony should see significant action off the bench.
Elite Players
Guards
Ja Morant ($8,600)
Morant looked great in his first game back after a three-week absence, as he totaled 40 DK points in 28 minutes of action. Morant will have a tough individual matchup against Stephen Curry, as Grizzlies play in Golden State, but he should find an overall advantage against the Warriors' shorthanded lineup.
Donovan Mitchell ($9,500)
Mitchell is averaging 29.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.4 steals over the last 10 games, and he has topped 37 DK points in each of those contests. Mitchell has a matchup against the shorthanded Timberwolves, who will have a tough time slowing him down.
Forwards/Centers
Khris Middleton ($8,000)
Middleton will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back after he totaled 23 points, three rebounds, six assists and a steal in 28 minutes of action on Wednesday. The Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, which means they will once again need Middleton to step up and help lead the way.
Domantas Sabonis ($10,100)
Sabonis has topped 40 DK points in eight of the last 10 games, including four occasions where he topped 50. Sabonis has a matchup against the Rockets, who are giving up an average of 113.5 points per game, which is third most in the league.
Deandre Ayton ($8,300)
Ayton has been quietly efficient for the Suns, averaging 17.9 points, 10.6 rebounds over the last 10 games. He has topped 40 DK points in three of the previous four games, and he should find an advantageous matchup against the Thunder's frontcourt.
Expected Chalk
Joel Embiid ($12,000)
Embiid continues to dominate, as he is coming off one of his best games of the season, where he logged 72.5 DK points. It marked the third time in the last 11 games that he topped 70 DK points. Embiid and the Sixers have a matchup against the Hawks, who will be without their starting center, Clint Capela. Embiid should find an advantage at his position, and he will need to come up big once again to help carry his shorthanded team.
Value Picks
Delon Wright ($4,200)
Wright is expected to pick up another start in place of Trae Young. Wright finished with nine points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals on Wednesday night.
Furkan Korkmaz ($3,400)
Korkmaz will be one of the few players available from the Sixers' bench rotation and should see a boost in playing time.
Cam Reddish ($4,600)
Reddish is coming off a massive, 34-point performance on Wednesday night, and he will have an opportunity to do it again, as he should pick up another start for the shorthanded Hawks.
Jeff Green ($4,300)
Green has been playing consistent minutes and starting for the Nuggets. He is coming off an impressive outing where he logged 35.3 DK points.
DeMarcus Cousins ($4,700)
Cousins and the Bucks will be on the second night of a back-to-back. Cousins logged 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a block in 27 minutes in a win over the Rockets on Wednesday. He is expected to pick up another start, as the Bucks remain shorthanded in the frontcourt.
