This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
DEN (-7.5) at DET, O/U: 219
NOP at PHI (-9), O/U: 215.5
LAC at WAS (-4.5), O/U: 216
CHA at TOR (-3.5), O/U: 221.5
SAC at BOS (-8.5), O/U: 219
LAL (-3.5) at BKN, O/U: 226
SAS (-3) at HOU, O/U: 235.5
DAL at GSW (-3.5), O/U: 211.5
MIN (-3) at POR, O/U: 227.5
The Spurs-Rockets is expected to be a very high-scoring matchup and features a couple of solid top-tier players to build around, with a wide range of good mid-priced and value options.
Spurs' point guard, Dejounte Murray is the most expensive player in the matchup but is a great choice to start with, as he has been playing well lately and will have an advantage against the Rockets' porous defense. Jakob Poeltl, Derrick White and Keldon Johnson all come with modest price tags, while Devin Vassell and Doug McDermott make strong value options.
Christian Wood is the highest-priced player on the Rockets, but he still stands out as a solid pick based on his strong play lately and his matchup against a relatively small Spurs frontcourt. Kevin Porter and Jae'Sean Tate are modestly priced in the mid tier, while Eric Gordon and Garrison Mathews can offer good value potential.
Injuries to Monitor
Jeff Green (quadriceps): Questionable
JaMychal Green would be up for a boost if Green is out.
Frank Jackson (COVID-19): Questionable
Jerami Grant (thumb): OUT
Saddiq Bey and Hamidou Diallo will continue to see extra responsibility in the absence of Grant. Cory Joseph will get more playing time if Jackson is sidelined.
Brandon Ingram (ankle): Questionable
If Ingram remains out, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Garrett Temple are in line for a boost.
Matisse Thybulle (shoulder): Questionable
Danny Green (hip), Shake Milton (back), Seth Curry (ankle): OUT
Furkan Korkmaz will pick up another start, while Georges Niang will also get more playing time.
Gordon Hayward (foot): Questionable
Jalen McDaniels (ankle): OUT
Kelly Oubre, Cody Martin and P.J. Washington will share added responsibility.
Khem Birch (nose): OUT
Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher will continue to get a boost.
De'Aaron Fox (ankle): Questionable
Terence Davis has started the last three contests in place of Fox.
Nicolas Claxton (hamstring): Questionable
Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle), Kyrie Irving (not injury related): OUT
Day'Ron Sharpe is up for a significant role if Claxton remains out. Kessler Edwards, Cam Thomas and Patty Mills will pick up extra minutes with Durant, Harris and Irving sidelined.
Klay Thompson (knee): Questionable
Draymond Green (calf), Andre Iguodala (hip): OUT
Otto Porter is expected to start in place of Green. Jordan Poole will have to step up if Thompson is sidelined.
Patrick Beverley (ankle): Questionable
Malik Beasley will see an extended opportunity if Beverley is out.
Damian Lillard (abdomen), Larry Nance (knee), Cody Zeller (knee): OUT
Anfernee Simons will continue to start in place of Lillard. Robert Covington and Ben McLemore should continue to see more action with Nance and Zeller sidelined. .
Elite Players
Guards
Stephen Curry ($10,700)
Curry remains in a bit of a shooting slump, but he still managed to top 40 DK points in three of the last four games, including two outings where he topped 50 DK points. Curry has to step up to lead the Warriors in a tough home matchup against the Mavs.
Jaylen Brown ($9,200)
Brown topped 30 DK points in eight of the last 10 games, including five occasions on which he topped 40 DK points. The Celtics play host to the Kings, who are giving up an average of 114.5 points per game, which is second most in the league.
Forwards/Centers
LeBron James ($11,100)
James has been on a tear lately, averaging 30.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks over the last 10 games, and he topped 50 DK points six times over that span. James has an advantage in the Lakers' matchup against the Nets.
Pascal Siakam ($8,900)
The Raptors play host to the Hornets, who are giving up an average of 114.2 points per game, third most in the league. Siakam has been playing well lately, averaging 24.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.1 steals over the last 10 games, and he topped 40 DK points seven times over that span.
Nikola Jokic ($12,500)
The Nuggets take on the Pistons, who are not a strong defensive or rebounding team, which allows greater opportunity for Jokic to take over and lead his team on the road. Jokic is averaging 27.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 1.4 steals over the last 10 games, and he topped 60 DK points six times over that span.
Expected Chalk
Luka Doncic ($10,800)
Doncic is averaging 26.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.6 steals over his last 10 games, and he topped 67 DK points in three of the last four games. Doncic has scored at least 20 points in each of his last 10 games, as he has found a groove offensively and helped lead the Mavs to eight wins in the last 10. The Mavs take on the Warriors, who are missing a key defender in Draymond Green, which should allow Doncic an advantage on offense.
Value Picks
Patty Mills ($4,900)
Mills needs to step up for the Nets. Mills topped 19 DK points in each of the last five games, including one outing in which he logged 30.3 DK points.
Furkan Korkmaz ($4,500)
Korkmaz will continue to see extended minutes for the 76ers. Korkmaz topped 20 DK points in three of the last four games.
Devin Vassell ($4,200)
Vassell topped 20 DK points in seven of the last 10 games, including three occasions on which he topped 31 DK points. Vassell should have lots of opportunity in what should be a high-scoring matchup as the Spurs take on the Rockets in Houston.
Maxi Kleber ($3,700)
Kleber continues to start for the Mavs and has topped 20 DK points in each of the last two games.
Montrezl Harrell ($4,900)
Harrell is coming off a quiet outing, but he topped 24 DK points in the six games prior. Harrell has an advantageous matchup against the Clippers, who are giving up an average of 48.0 rebounds per game, second most in the league.
