This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
HOU vs. CLE (-10.5), O/U: 220.5
ATL (-7) vs. ORL, O/U: 224
MIA vs. PHI (-5.5), O/U:
LAL vs. DAL (-1), O/U:
IND vs. MIL (-2), O/U:
NOP (-1.5) vs. OKC, O/U:
CHA vs. SAS (-3), O/U:
MIN vs. DEN (-4.5), O/U:
MEM vs. POR, O/U:
WAS vs. SAC (-1), O/U:
LAC vs. UTA (-9), O/U:
The Spurs-Hornets matchup is an interesting one to build around, as is provides an abundance of medium-priced options, which can help form a balanced and effective lineup.
Dejounte Murray ($10,300) is the most expensive player in the contest, but he is a strong piece to start with, as he has been playing very well and goes up against a Hornets' defense that is allowing opponents to score a league-high 116.4 points per game. Meanwhile, Miles Bridges ($8,100) is a good look on the Hornets' side.
The Hornets offer a selection of mid-priced options, including Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, Cody Martin and P.J. Washington. Mid-priced, Jakob Poeltl and Derrick White are also capable of coming up big for the Spurs.
Finally, James Bouknight should continue to see a boost in value as a result of a shorthanded Hornets' back court. Devin Vassell, Drew Eubanks and Doug McDermott present good, low-priced options from the Spurs.
Injuries to Monitor
Christian Wood (knee): Questionable
Eric Gordon (groin), Jalen Green (hamstring), Danuel House (ankle), Kevin Porter (thigh): OUT
D.J. Augustin, Garrison Mathews and Armoni Brooks are expected to start for the Rockets, while David Nwaba could see some extra action off the bench. Additionally, Alperen Sengun would likely see a significant boost if Wood is sidelined.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle), De'Andre Hunter (wrist): OUT
The Hawks will continue to look to Kevin Huerter and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to fill in the starting lineup, while Danilo Gallinari, Cam Reddish and Delon Wright will see added action off the bench.
Jalen Suggs (thumb): OUT
Gary Harris will continue to start in place of Suggs, while R.J. Hampton and Terrence Ross could see more playing time off the bench.
Tyler Herro (quadriceps): Questionable
Bam Adebayo (thumb), Jimmy Butler (back), Caleb Martin (COVID-19): OUT
Dewayne Dedmon will continue to start in place of Adebayo, while Max Strus is expected to get the start in place of Butler. Look for Gabe Vincent to see a key role off the bench.
Seth Curry (shoulder), Joel Embiid (ribs): Questionable
If Curry is out, Shake Milton and Furkan Korkmaz will be in line for a boost, while Embiid's absence would mean a big opportunity for Andre Drummond.
Anthony Davis (knee): Questionable
Malik Monk (COVID-19), Dwight Howard (COVID-19), Talen Horton-Tucker (COVID-19): OUT
Wayne Ellington, Carmelo Anthony and DeAndre Jordan should all see a boost in playing time with Monk, Howard and Horton-Tucker out, and even more so, if Davis is out as well. The Lakers will also need more out of LeBron James and Russell Westbrook if Davis is out.
Luka Doncic (ankle): OUT
Without Doncic, the Mavs will continue to look to Jalen Brunson to handle the starting point guard job, while Trey Burke should continue to see an increased role coming off the bench.
Justin Holiday (COVID-19): Questionable
T.J. McConnell (wrist): OUT
If Holiday is sidelined, Chris Duarte should continue to see a boost, while he and Jeremy Lamb will also pick up some extra responsibility in the absence of McConnell.
Khris Middleton (knee): Questionable
Giannis Antetokounmpo (COVID-19): OUT
Pat Connaughton is expected to pick up the start in place of Giannis, while Jordan Nwora should see a boost off the bench. If Middleton is out, Rodney Hood and George Hill should be up for added playing time.
Luguentz Dort (ankle): OUT
Kenrich Williams is expected to get the start, while Tre Mann should be up for extra responsibility off the bench for the Thunder.
Mason Plumlee (ribs): Questionable
LaMelo Ball (COVID-19), Ish Smith (COVID-19): OUT
Cody Martin is expected to pick up the start in place of Ball, while Kelly Oubre should continue to see a boost in his playing time. If Plumlee if out, P.J. Washington and Jalen McDaniels are likely to see added playing time.
D'Angelo Russell (ankle): Questionable
If Russell is out, the Timberwolves could go back to Taurean Prince to fill in the starting lineup, while Leandro Bolmaro sees added action off the bench.
Austin Rivers (COVID-19): Questionable
JaMychal Green (ankle): OUT
Without Rivers in the lineup, Bones Hyland and Facundo Campazzo would continue see extra playing time. Zeke Nnaji should be up for a boost with Green sidelined.
Ja Morant (knee, COVID-19), Ziaire Williams (ankle), Brandon Clarke (knee): OUT
Tyus Jones will continue to start in place of Morant. Look for De'Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson and Xavier Tillman to see some extra action off the bench, with Williams and Clarke sidelined.
CJ McCollum (chest): OUT
Without McCollum, Nassir Little should pick up another start while Norman Powell sees an increase in his role.
Kyle Kuzma (COVID-19)
Deni Avdija picked up the start in the Wizards' last two contests, while Kuzma has been sidelined. Montrezl Harrell and Davis Bertans should see some extra playing time as well.
Richaun Holmes (eye): Questionable
Alex Len would be expected to get the start in place of Holmes, while Marvin Bagley should continue to see extra action off the bench.
Paul George (elbow), Nicolas Batum (ankle): Questionable
Luke Kennard would likely pick up the start if George is sidelined. Terance Mann along with Kennard would also see a boost if Batum is out.
Elite Players
Guards
Russell Westbrook ($10,600)
Westbrook and the Lakers go up against the Mavs in Dallas, and with both teams shorthanded, it should make for a competitive contest. The Mavs will be without Doncic, which should give Westbrook an advantage on both ends of the floor. Westbrook has topped 35 DK points in six of the last 10 games, including two instances where he topped 66 DK points.
Dejounte Murray ($10,300)
Murray has topped 47 DK points in seven of the last 10 games. He continues to be a leader for the Spurs on both ends of the floor averaging 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Murray and the Spurs go up against the Hornets, who are giving up a league-high 116.4 points per game. The Hornets will be without LaMelo Ball, which gives Murray a break against the shorthanded backcourt.
Forwards/Centers
Brandon Ingram ($9,200)
Ingram has put up more than 50 DK points in three of the last five games. He should find an advantage going up against the Thunder, who will be missing one of their better wing defenders, Luguentz Dort.
Domantas Sabonis ($9,500)
Sabonis goes up against the Bucks, who are without Giannis Antetokounmpo, which should be a major relief to Sabonis and the Pacers' frontcourt. Sabonis has been playing well in his own right, averaging 19.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the last 10 games.
Nikola Jokic ($12,200)
Jokic is coming off a massive outing in his most recent contest, where he totaled 28 points, 19 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and a block for 73.3 DK points, before getting tossed from the game in the fourth quarter. He has topped 48 DK points in each of the last eight games, including five occasions in which he topped 60 DK points.
Expected Chalk
Trae Young ($10,700)
Trae Young has been playing great lately, averaging 30.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 1.1 steals over the last 10 games. He topped 47 DK points in all 10 contests, including six times where he topped 55 DK points. Young has a matchup against the Magic, who are giving up 111.8 points per game, which is fourth most in the league.
Value Picks
Patrick Beverley ($4,900)
Beverley and the Timberwolves take on the Nuggets, which should be a competitive contest, where he finds an advantage against a shorthanded backcourt. Beverley has topped 21 DK points in each of the last three games, while he has played an average of 26 minutes per game this season.
Wayne Ellington ($3,200)
Ellington is expected to pick up the start and a boost in playing time with Talen Horton-Tucker and Malik Monk both out of the lineup. Ellington is shooting 40 percent from long range this season.
Pat Connaughton ($5,000)
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and potentially Khris Middleton out of the lineup, the Bucks will look for more out of Connaughton, who has shown he can step up on both ends of the court. Connaughton is averaging 29 minutes per game this season, and he has topped 31 DK points in three of the last 10 games.
Kevin Love ($4,800)
Love has been playing great lately, as he is coming of an outing where he logged 37.3 DK points. He has also topped 42 DK points in two of his last eight games. The Cavs play host to the Rockets, who have one of the weakest defenses in the league and will be shorthanded, which should provide a good opportunity for Love.
Alex Len ($3,200)
Len is expected to pick up another start in place of Richaun Holmes. Len has topped 19 DK points in the last two games and has a matchup at home against the Wizards, who do not have a very big frontcourt with which to contest.
