This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIN (-7) at DET, O/U: 225.5
PHX (-5) at ATL, O/U: 223.5
CHI at TOR (-3), O/U: 224.5
MIA (-3.5) at SAS, O/U: 218.5
SAC at GSW (-13.5), O/U: 221
LAL at LAC (-2.5), O/U: 217.5
The Bulls-Raptors matchup should be a competitive and high-scoring contest and features reasonably priced top-tier talent, complemented by a handful of great mid-priced and value options.
DeMar DeRozan is the highest-priced player in the contest at $9,200, which is still a bargain considering the huge numbers he has been generating. Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are also strong picks on the Bulls' side. On the other hand, expect Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam to continue to come up big for the Raptors.
The Raptors' lineup offers reliable mid-priced options in OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent, while Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa have good value potential. Meanwhile, Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White continue to see big minutes for the shorthanded Bulls and come with very modest price tags. Also, consider Javonte Green as a solid value pick.
Injuries to Monitor
MIN- Patrick Beverley (ankle), D'Angelo Russell (lower leg), Josh Okogie (quadriceps): Questionable
Malik Beasley and Jaylen Nowell will have to step up if Beverley and/or Russell are out.
DET - Josh Jackson (back), Cade Cunningham (hip): Questionable
Frank Jackson and Rodney McGruder will pick up extra minutes off the bench if Jackson is out. If Cunningham is out, then Killian Hayes and Hamidou Diallo would be up for a boost.
PHX - Cameron Payne (wrist), Landry Shamet (ankle): OUT
Cameron Johnson and Elfrid Payton will get more action off the bench.
ATL - Trae Young (shoulder): Questionable
Delon Wright and Bogdan Bogdanovic will have to step up if Young is out.
CHI - Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist), Derrick Jones (finger): OUT
Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White will continue to see increased roles in the backcourt. Javonte Green and Troy Brown will get a boost in the frontcourt.
MIA - Jimmy Butler (toe), P.J. Tucker (knee), Kyle Lowry (personal), Caleb Martin (achilles), P.J. Tucker (knee): Questionable
Omer Yurtseven (COVID-19): OUT
Gabe Vincent will continue to start if Lowry is out. Max Strus and Tyler Herro will get a boost if Butler and/or Martin are out. Dewayne Dedmon will have to step up in the absence of Yurtseven and possibly Tucker.
SAS - Doug McDermott (ankle), Dejounte Murray (wrist): Questionable
Keita Bates-Diop (not injury related), Jakob Poeltl (concussion): OUT
Devin Vassell, Lonnie Walker and Joshua Primo are in line for more action.
SAC - De'Aaron Fox (ankle), Marvin Bagley (ankle): Questionable
Terence Davis (wrist): OUT
If Fox is out, in addition to Terence Davis, then Davion Mitchell will be up for another start. Maurice Harkless and Chimezie Metu are in line for a boost without Bagley.
GSW - Otto Porter (back): Questionable
Draymond Green (back), Andre Iguodala (hip), Nemanja Bjelica (back): OUT
Jonathan Kuminga will continue to see a boost in playing time.
LAL - LeBron James (knee): Doubtful
Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony will get more responsibility.
LAC - Ivica Zubac (calf): Questionable
Isaiah Hartenstein will have to step up if Zubac is out.
Elite Players
Guards
Fred VanVleet ($8,800)
VanVleet topped 35 DK points in each of his last 18 games, including nine contests where he topped 50 DK points. He has an advantage in his matchup, as the Raptors play host to the shorthanded Bulls.
Devin Booker ($9,300)
The Suns take on the Hawks, who are giving up an average of 111.2 points per game, while allowing opponents to shoot an average of 46.4 percent from the field, which will give Booker plenty of room to get going on offense. Booker topped 40 DK points in eight of the last 10 games, including one contest where he totaled 71.8 DK points.
Forwards/Centers
Anthony Edwards ($8,000)
Edwards is averaging 21.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals over the last 10 games. He is coming off a quiet outing in the Timberwolves' last contest, but he topped 60 DK points in two of the last five games.
DeMar DeRozan ($9,200)
DeRozan continues to lead the Bulls, averaging 28.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists over the last 10 games. He topped 40 DK points eight times over that span, and he topped 50 DK points in three of his last five games.
Pascal Siakam ($9,000)
Siakam is averaging 21.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.4 steals over the last 10 games. He topped 45 DK points seven times over that span, including four contests where he topped 54 DK points. He has an advantage going up against the Bulls' smaller and shorthanded frontcourt.
Expected Chalk
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,000)
Towns has an advantageous matchup, as the Timberwolves take on the Pistons, who are giving up an average of 111.6 points per game, while allowing opponents to shoot an average of 47.2 percent from the field, which is fourth highest in the league. The Pistons also give up an average of 46.6 rebounds per game, which is sixth most in the league. Towns is averaging 23.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals over the last 10 games, and he topped 45 DK points seven times over that span.
Value Picks
Eric Bledsoe ($4,500)
Bledsoe is averaging 9.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals over the last 10 games, and he topped 20 DK points seven times over that span. Bledsoe should have the advantage going up against the Lakers' second unit, as they are playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Malik Beasley ($3,700)
Beasley has a chance at an increased role if either Patrick Beverley or D'Angelo Russell are out. Nonetheless, Beasley has been playing well, averaging 10.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists over the last 10 games, including four contests where he topped 21 DK points.
Javonte Green ($3,700)
Green has been finding his groove again after a three-week absence, as he is averaging 10.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.2 steals over the last five games.
Nicolas Batum ($4,400)
Batum is averaging 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists over his last 10 games, and he topped 23 DK points five times over that span, including two games where he topped 33 DK points. Batum should have an advantage in his individual matchup against the shorthanded Lakers.
Chris Boucher ($4,600)
Boucher continues to play a key role off the bench for the Raptors, and he is averaging 10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over the last 10 games. He has an advantage against the Bulls' shorthanded frontcourt.
