This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIL (-12.5) vs. ORL, O/U:
WAS vs. MIA (-6), O/U:
PHI (-6.5) vs. TOR, O/U:
CLE (4) vs. NOP, O/U:
LAL (4.5) vs. HOU, O/U: 228.5
NYK (-5) vs. MIN, O/U:
DEN vs. GSW (-5.5), O/U:
OKC vs. SAC (-6), O/U: 218.5
With most teams dealing with multiple injuries, continue to look for great value plays from bargain players picking up major roles, but also from those at the top-tier who'll need to carry their shorthanded squads.
The Nuggets-Warriors contest is a perfect example, as Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic are going to have to come up big for their shorthanded squads while both sides feature role players logging extended minutes.
Thunder-Kings is another intriguing matchup, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set to lead the shorthanded Thunder while De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton have been playing great for the Kings. Aaron Wiggins and Derrick Favors can deliver solid value for OKC while Terence Davis should be up for a boost with Davion Mitchell sidelined for Sacramento.
Injuries to Monitor
Cole Anthony (ankle), Mo Bamba (COVID-19), Chuma Okeke (COVID-19), Terrence Ross (COVID-19), Jalen Suggs (thumb): OUT
Hassani Gravett will see another start with Anthony and Suggs sidelined. Gary Harris and R.J. Hampton will also receive big backcourt minutes.
Bradley Beal (COVID-19), Rui Hachimura (coaches decision): Questionable
Raul Neto (COVID-19), Aaron Holiday (COVID-19), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (COVID-19): OUT
Corey Kispert will pick up another start in place of Caldwell-Pope. Deni Avdija is also up for a boost.
P.J. Tucker (leg): Questionable
Kyle Lowry (COVID-19), Dewayne Dedmon (knee), Bam Adebayo (thumb): OUT
Omer Yurtseven will start with Dedmon and Adebayo out. Gabe Vincent should continue to carry a major role as Lowry remains out.
Andre Drummond (COVID-19), Danny Green (COVID-19), Shake Milton (COVID-19): OUT
Furkan Korkmaz and Georges Niang will be critical off the bench.
Khem Birch (COVID-19), Pascal Siakam (COVID-19), Gary Trent (COVID-19): Questionable
Precious Achiuwa (COVID-19), OG Anunoby (COVID-19), Scottie Barnes (COVID-19), Malachi Flynn (COVID-19), Fred VanVleet (COVID-19): OUT
Dalano Banton, Yuta Watanabe and Chris Boucher will see extended minutes.
Issac Okoro (COVID-19): Questionable
Cedi Osman (COVID-19), Evan Mobley (COVID-19), Jarrett Allen (COVID-19), Lamar Stevens (COVID-19), Dylan Windler (COVID-19): OUT
Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love and Dean Wade will be up for extra playing time.
Brandon Ingram (achilles), Josh Hart (ankle), Jonas Valanciunas (illness): Questionable
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (COVID-19), Naji Marshall (COVID-19): OUT
Garrett Temple and Tomas Satoransky would see a boost without Ingram and/or Hart. Willy Hernangomez should get a big opportunity if Valanciunas is out.
Rajon Rondo (COVID-19), Austin Reaves (COVID-19), Anthony Davis (knee), Kent Bazemore (COVID-19): OUT
Wayne Ellington and Dwight Howard are expected to start while Carmelo Anthony will be up for a boost off the bench.
Jalen Green (hamstring), Kevin Porter (thigh): Questionable
D.J. Augustin (COVID-19), Kenyon Martin (COVID-19), Garrison Mathews (COVID-19), Jae'Sean Tate (COVID-19): OUT
Eric Gordon, Josh Christopher and Armoni Brooks will have to step up for the Rockets' shorthanded backcourt. David Nwaba picked up the start in place of Tate Monday night.
Nerlens Noel (COVID-19), Derrick Rose (ankle): OUT
Rose's absence leaves more minutes to go around in the Knicks' backcourt, which has recently been most beneficial to Kemba Walker. Mitchell Robinson will cover for Noel.
Patrick Beverley (COVID-19): Questionable
D'Angelo Russell (COVID-19), Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19), Jarred Vanderbilt (COVID-19), Naz Reid (COVID-19), Anthony Edwards (COVID-19), Taurean Prince (COVID-19): OUT
On Monday, the Timberwolves went with a starting lineup of Jordan McLaughlin, Malik Beasley, Josh Okogie, Jaden McDaniels and Nathan Knight. That group, along with Jaylen Nowell - who dropped 29 points off the bench - came up with an impressive win over the Celtics. The rotation should remain the same tonight if Beverley remains out.
Aaron Gordon (hamstring): Questionable
If Gordon is gone, JaMychal Green should receive more minutes.
Andre Iguodala (knee): Questionable
Draymond Green (COVID-19), Damion Lee (COVID-19), Jordan Poole (COVID-19): OUT
Gary Payton, Otto Porter and Jonathan Kuminga will continue to get added playing time.
Darius Bazley (COVID-19), Tre Mann (COVID-19), Aleksej Pokusevski (COVID-19), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (COVID-19): OUT
Aaron Wiggins and Derrick Favors are expected to start. Theo Maledon and Kenrich Williams are in line for extra minutes off the bench.
Alex Len (COVID-19): Questionable
Davion Mitchell (COVID-19): OUT
Terence Davis will see a boost without Michell. Same for Marvin Bagley without Len.
Elite Players
Guards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($9,500)
Gilgeous-Alexander is playing great averaging 24.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.1 blocks over the last 10 games. He topped 50 DK points three times over that span, including one where he accounted for 66.8.
Darius Garland ($9,900)
Garland has surpassed 34 DK points in eight of 10 outings, including two over 50. He'll have to step up for the Cavs and has an advantageous matchup against the shorthanded Pelicans.
Forwards/Centers
Jimmy Butler ($9,300)
Butler finished with 43.3 DK points in his return from a two-week absence. He should do well versus a depleted Wizards side. Butler will be a key focal point and will need to come up big to lead the way again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,900)
Giannis produced 63 DK points in his first game back from a week-long absence. He dominates on both ends of the floor and will have another opportunity for a big night as the Bucks take on the shorthanded Magic.
Joel Embiid ($12,100)
The Sixers will do battle against the frontcourt-light Raptors, which gives Embiid a huge advantage in the paint. The big man has topped 46 DK points in each of the last five contests. The Sixers will also be missing players, which will result in a tighter rotation and more weight on Embiid's shoulders.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Jokic ($12,400)
Jokic has gone over 60 DK points in eight of the last 10 games. He dropped 73.5 in the Nuggets' most recent contest and offers a great chance to come up big again going up against the Warriors. Golden State's already smaller in the frontcourt, but they'll be missing their best defender in Draymond Green and that will make Jokic's job that much easier.
Value Picks
Dalano Banton ($4,000)
Banton will see a key role for the shorthanded Raptors. He logged 18.8 DK points in 24 minutes of action last time out.
Terence Davis ($3,700)
Davis should pick up a boost with Davion Mitchell sidelined. Davis generated 22 DK points in the Kings' previous contest.
Deni Avdija ($4,400)
Avdija will be up for a boost off the bench as the Wizards are missing a few key rotation players.
Jaden McDaniels ($4,800)
McDaniels will add another start for the shorthanded Timberwolves. He finished with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal on Monday while logging 36 minutes in a starting role.
Omer Yurtseven ($4,800)
Yurtseven has been playing well of late and will pick up another start as the Heat remain without Dewayne Dedmon and Bam Adebayo. Yurtseven earned the start in the Heat's last game and totaled 37.8 DK points over 33 minutes.
