This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BOS (-1.5) vs. NYK, O/U: 208
GSW (-2.5) vs. NOP, O/U: 213.5
DET vs. MEM (-12.5), O/U: 218
LAC vs. PHX (-10.5), O/U: 221
The Suns-Clippers matchup is a great one to build around, with top-tier talent and a wide range of strong, medium and low priced options.
Devin Booker and Chris Paul have to step up to lead the way for the shorthanded Suns and stand out as reliable top-tier talent. Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and Jalen Smith of the Suns are all low priced options with great value potential.
On the other hand, the Clippers' entire expected starting lineup is priced for value, including Reggie Jackson, Eric Bledsoe, Terance Mann, Marcus Morris and Serge Ibaka, as they will have to step up to lead their shorthanded squad.
Injuries to Monitor
Payton Pritchard (COVID-19): OUT
Dennis Schroder and Josh Richardson will pick up some added minutes.
Nerlens Noel (COVID-19): Questionable
Derrick Rose (ankle), Kemba Walker (knee): OUT
Alec Burks and Immanuel Quickley will have big responsibilities in the backcourt. Mitchell Robinson would see a boost without Noel in the lineup.
Stephen Curry (quadriceps), Andre Iguodala (knee), Otto Porter (foot): Questionable
Juan Toscano-Anderson and Nemanja Bjelica will have to step up if Porter and Iguodala are out. If Curry is sidelined, Gary Payton and Jordan Poole will see increased roles.
Tomas Satoransky (COVID-19): OUT
Nickeil Alexander-Walker will get more playing time.
Frank Jackson (ankle), Cory Joseph (COVID-19), Isaiah Stewart (COVID-19): Questionable
Jerami Grant (thumb): OUT
Saddiq Bey will continue to see an expanded role on offense.
Dillon Brooks (COVID-19), De'Anthony Melton (COVID-19), Kyle Anderson (COVID-19), Desmond Bane (quadriceps): Questionable
John Konchar (COVID-19), Xavier Tillman: OUT
Tyus Jones, Brandon Clarke and Ziaire Williams are in line for a boost.
Nicolas Batum (ankle): Questionable
Paul George (elbow), Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle), Luke Kennard (COVID-19), Ivica Zubac (COVID-19): OUT
Eric Bledsoe, Terance Mann, Serge Ibaka and Marcus Morris will each pick up additional playing time.
Deandre Ayton (COVID-19), Jae Crowder (COVID-19), Frank Kaminsky (knee), JaVale McGee (COVID-19), Landry Shamet (COVID-19): OUT
Cameron Johnson will continue to see extra minutes. Jalen Smith will pick up another start at center.
Elite Players
Guards
Chris Paul ($7,300)
The Suns are heavy favorites going up against the shorthanded Clippers. Paul helps lead the Suns, averaging 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 10.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game, but he has to step it up another notch for his own shorthanded squad. Paul logged a total of 31 assists over the last two games.
Devin Booker ($8,700)
Booker has to come up large on the offensive end to help lift the Suns, who are missing a number of players, including Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder. Booker has scored more than 30 points in three of the last five games, and he accounted for 60.8 DK points in a recent outing.
Forwards/Centers
Brandon Ingram ($8,100)
Ingram is coming off a couple of quieter outings, but he has topped 39 DK points in seven of his last 10 games. Ingram should have an advantage at his position, as the Pelicans play host to the Warriors.
Julius Randle ($10,000)
Randle is averaging 27.5 points per game in two games against the Celtics this season, but he is shooting 39.1 percent in those contests. He is also coming off a strong outing, as he logged 30 points and 16 rebounds in a win over the Pacers on Tuesday.
Jonas Valanciunas ($8,800)
Valanciunas continues to put up monster numbers, with nine double-doubles in his last 11 games. He has been a leading scorer for the Pelicans on many nights and is coming off consecutive 25-point games. Valanciunas finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds the first time the Pelicans and Warriors met this season.
Expected Chalk
Ja Morant ($9,200)
Morant has been putting on a show lately, averaging 27.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.1 steals, over the last eight games since returning from a three-week long absence. The Grizzlies are up against the shorthanded Pistons, which will give Morant lots of room to find his rhythm. Morant has topped 48 DK points in each of the last four games, including one contest where he generated 66 DK points.
Value Picks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($3,900)
Alexander-Walker will see extra minutes with Tomas Satoransky sidelined. Alexander-Walker is averaging 13.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Immanuel Quickley ($4,000)
Quickley will pick up added value with Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker sidelined for the Knicks. Quickley is averaging 10.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Evan Fournier ($4,400)
Fournier is coming off a rough outing, where he finished with zero points. However, he will pick up significant minutes for the shorthanded Knicks, as they take on his former squad, the Celtics. Fournier has topped 28 DK points in three of the last 10 games, including one outing where he logged 48.8 DK points.
Serge Ibaka ($4,400)
Ibaka is up for another start for the Clippers, who are missing Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein in the frontcourt. Ibaka has topped 22 DK points in two of the last three games and is coming off a 17-point outing on Monday, which ties his season-high.
Bismack Biyombo ($4,000)
Biyombo has picked up a significant role off the bench for the shorthanded Suns. He is averaging 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals over the last two games, and he should have an advantage against the Clippers' shorthanded frontcourt.
