This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
PHX (-2) at DAL, O/U: 213
NOP at NYK (-2.5), O/U: 210.5
IND at GSW (-10.5), O/U: 216
The Suns-Mavericks matchup should result in a competitive contest and features modestly priced top-tier talent on both sides, with a selection of consistent value options.
Luka Doncic is the only Mavs player in the top price range, but he is a great choice to build around. Kristaps Porzingis comes with a relatively low price tag, along with Jalen Brunson, who also makes a great mid-priced pick. Tim Hardaway and Maxi Kleber stand out as good value options.
On the other side, Devin Booker highlights the board for the Suns with a reasonable, $8,300 price tag, while Chris Paul comes with just a $7,500 tag, making it possible to squeeze both guards into a well-rounded lineup. JaVale McGee, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson are all good value picks.
Injuries to Monitor
Deandre Ayton (ankle): OUT
JaVale McGee will start in place of Ayton.
Devonte' Graham (ankle): Questionable
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Tomas Satoransky will get a boost if Graham is out.
Nerlens Noel (knee), Derrick Rose (ankle), Cam Reddish (ankle): OUT
Mitchell Robinson will continue to see more responsibility without Noel. Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks will get more action without Rose and Reddish.
Myles Turner (foot): OUT
Torrey Craig will pick up another start in place of Turner.
Otto Porter (rest), Draymond Green (calf): OUT
Juan Toscano-Anderson is up for major minutes.
Elite Players
Guards
Chris Paul ($7,500)
Paul continues his steady play, averaging 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 1.8 steals, over the last 10 games. He topped 40 DK points in five of the last 10 games, including one outing where he accounted for 56.3 DK points.
Devin Booker ($8,300)
Booker will have to step up for extra scoring in the absence of Deandre Ayton. Booker is averaging a team-high 24.6 points per game. He poured in 48 points in the Suns' last contest, and he has topped 35 DK points in eight of the last 10 games.
Forwards/Centers
Brandon Ingram ($8,000)
Ingram topped 34 DK points in each of the last five games, including three games where he topped 41 DK points. Ingram leads the Pelicans, averaging 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.
Domantas Sabonis ($10,000)
With the absence of Myles Turner, Sabonis has to step up in the frontcourt for the Pacers. He will have an advantage going up against the Warriors' shorthanded frontcourt. Sabonis has topped 50 DK points in six of the last 10 games.
Julius Randle ($9,100)
Randle topped 38 DK points in seven of the last eight games, including two outings where he topped 50 DK points. He has an advantageous matchup as the Knicks play host to the Pelicans, who are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 46.9 percent from the field, which is third highest in the league.
Expected Chalk
Luka Doncic ($10,400)
Doncic has three triple-doubles in the last six games. He topped 38 DK points in each of those six contests, including four games where he topped 59 DK points. The Mavs have a tough matchup as they play host to the Suns, but Doncic has the benefit of a size advantage at his position, along with home-court advantage. The Mavs are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, after Doncic poured in 41 points to lead the way in a win over the Raptors on Wednesday.
Value Picks
JaVale McGee ($4,000)
McGee is set to pick up another start in place of Deandre Ayton. McGee topped 18 DK points in each of the last three games.
Maxi Kleber ($3,900)
Kleber started in the last nine games for the Mavs, and he averaged 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks, over that span. He has the advantage of going up against the Suns shorthanded frontcourt.
Tim Hardaway ($4,900)
Hardaway topped 20 DK points in eight of the last nine games. He will have an advantage going up against the Suns' second unit, as he comes off the bench for the Mavs.
Mikal Bridges ($4,800)
Bridges comes pretty cheap for a guy that plays over 30 minutes per game and can fill the stat sheet in all categories. Bridges has been relatively quiet lately, but he has topped 22 DK points in five of the last 10 games.
Cameron Payne ($4,200)
Payne provides solid bench production for the Suns, averaging 10.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists, over the last 10 games. He topped 30 DK points three times over that span.
