This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
GSW at MIL (-1.5), O/U: 223.5
LAC at NOP (-3.5), O/U: 215
MIN at MEM (-4.5), O/U: 232
OKC at BKN (-7), O/U: 218.5
POR at DEN (-10), O/U: 212
The Bucks-Warriors matchup is the most anticipated of the night and is ideal to build around. Both teams are struck with injuries that will make for a unique contest with a few extra value options.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry both come with hefty price tags but are more than capable of making it pay off. They should be in for a competitive contest that draws the best out of both stars.
Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis make strong mid priced options, while Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen and Wesley Matthews stand out as good value opportunities on the Bucks' side.
Meanwhile, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole are all mid priced picks that come at a relatively low cost for what they can produce for the Warriors. Juan Toscano-Anderson and Otto Porter are a couple low-priced options that will have some extra playing time with Draymond Green out of the lineup.
Injuries to Monitor
Draymond Green (calf): OUT
Juan Toscano-Anderson will pick up the start, while Otto Porter will see more action off the bench.
Jrue Holiday(ankle): Questionable
George Hill (COVID-19): OUT
Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton will have to step up in the backcourt.
Paul George (elbow), Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle), Luke Kennard (COVID-19): OUT
Amir Coffey will continue to play a prominent role. Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson will have to lead the way on offense.
Steven Adams (illness): Questionable
Dillon Brooks (ankle): OUT
Brandon Clarke and Kyle Anderson will continue to get a boost if Adams remains out. Ziaire Williams will get another start in place of Brooks.
Isaiah Roby (COVID-19), Kenrich Williams (COVID-19): OUT
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will get added playing time.
LaMarcus Aldridge (foot), Nicolas Claxton (hamstring): Questionable
Bruce Brown, James Johnson and DeAndre' Bembry would have to help fill in key frontcourt minutes.
Cody Zeller (knee): Questionable
Damian Lillard (abdomen), CJ McCollum (personal), Larry Nance (knee), Norman Powell (COVID-19), Anfernee Simons (personal): OUT
Dennis Smith and Ben McLemore are in line to start in the backcourt. Nassir Little will continue to get extra playing time, while CJ Elleby is up for a boost off the bench.
Elite Players
Guards
Ja Morant ($9,200)
Morant is averaging 27.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists over his last 10 games. He topped 40 DK points seven times over that span, including four occasions where he topped 50 DK points. The Grizzlies have won 10 in a row and play host to the Timberwolves, who are coming off a loss.
Brandon Ingram ($8,900)
The Pelicans take on the shorthanded Clippers, which gives Ingram an extra advantage at his position. Ingram topped 50 DK points in two of the last three games, and he is averaging 22.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists, over the last five games.
Forwards/Center
Anthony Edwards ($8,100)
Edwards has topped 39 DK points in each of the last five games. The Timberwolves will have a tough matchup against the streaking Grizzlies, but Edwards should have an advantage at his position and will need to be a difference-maker.
Kevin Durant ($11,000)
The Nets are playing on the second night of a back-to-back after they rallied for an impressive win in Chicago on Tuesday, where Durant led the way with 27 points. He has another opportunity to come up big as the Nets play host to the struggling Thunder. Durant has topped 48 DK points in each of the last six games.
Jonas Valanciunas ($8,600)
Valanciunas has topped 30 DK points in his last 14 consecutive games, including seven outings where he topped 40 DK points. Valanciunas is averaging 32.5 points and 14.0 rebounds per game in two games against the Clippers this season.
Expected Chalk
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,300)
The Bucks play host to the Warriors in what should be a competitive contest, as both teams look to measure up against top-tier competition. Both sides will be shorthanded, which means Giannis has to step up for his squad, but he will also benefit from the absence of Draymond Green in the Warriors' frontcourt. Giannis topped 50 DK points in seven of the last eight games, including two outings where he topped 70 DK points.
Value Picks
Dennis Smith ($4,000)
Smith is in line for big minutes with both Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons sidelined.
Ziaire Williams ($3,500)
Williams will continue to see a boost without Dillon Brooks in the lineup. Williams accounted for 22.3 DK points in his last game.
DeAndre' Bembry ($3,500)
Bembry will pick up extra playing time for the shorthanded Nets.
Pat Connaughton ($3,800)
Connaughton was quiet in the Bucks' last contest, which marked his first game back after a three-game absence, but he will be up for a boost with injuries in the Bucks' backcourt.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl ($4,000)
Robinson-Earl will continue to see additional responsibility as a result of injuries in the Thunder's frontcourt. He has topped 20 DK points in four of his last seven games.
