This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
CHA at CLE (-3.5), O/U: 218.5
IND (-1) at ORL, O/U: 232
NYK at PHI (-10.5), O/U: 223
SAC at NOP (-6), O/U: 235.5
UTA (-12.5) at HOU, O/U: 232.5
MIA at MIL (-4), O/U: 226.5
OKC at DEN (-14), O/U: 226
POR at PHX (-13.5), O/U: 228.5
The Kings-Pelicans should be a high-scoring and competitive matchup and features value opportunities throughout, as even the upper-tier stars come at reasonable prices.
Domantas Sabonis is the highest-priced player in the game and has been a major contributor since joining the Kings. De'Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes each come at relatively low costs for their roles as top scoring options, while Justin Holiday and Trey Lyles are priced for value.
CJ McCollum leads the Pelicans and is an affordable top-tier pick. Jonas Valanciunas and Brandon Ingram are reliable mid-range picks, while Jaxson Hayes, Herbert Jones and Devonte' Graham can provide value.
Injuries to Monitor
CHA - Nick Richards (foot), Jalen McDaniels (ankle): Questionable
Gordon Hayward (ankle), James Bouknight (neck): OUT
P.J. Washington continues to start in place of Hayward. Kelly Oubre and Cody Martin are up for a boost off the bench.
CLE - Darius Garland (back): Questionable
Rajon Rondo (toe), Caris LeVert (foot): OUT
Brandon Goodwin is up for another start if Garland remains out. Cedi Osman will also get added playing time.
IND - Chris Duarte (toe), Lance Stephenson (ankle): Questionable
Myles Turner (foot): OUT
Isaiah Jackson continues to start in place of Turner. Duane Washington will get a boost if Duarte and/or Stephenson are out.
NYK - Nerlens Noel (foot): Questionable
Quentin Grimes (knee), Derrick Rose (ankle): OUT
Immanuel Quickley continues to get more playing time. Obi Toppin will see more opportunity if Noel is out.
SAC - Richaun Holmes (back): Questionable
Damian Jones has to step up if Holmes is out.
HOU - Kevin Porter (ankle): Questionable
Dennis Schroder is up for another start if Porter is out.
MIA - Caleb Martin (Achilles): Questionable
Kyle Lowry (personal): OUT
Gabe Vincent gets another start without Lowry. Max Strus is in line for a boost if Martin is out.
MIL - Pat Connaughton (finger), George Hill (neck): OUT
Grayson Allen and Wesley Matthews are up for more playing time.
OKC - Luguentz Dort (shoulder), Josh Giddey (hip), Ty Jerome (hip), Mike Muscala (ankle), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot), Kenrich Williams (knee), Aaron Wiggins (ankle): OUT
Tre Mann, Aleksej Pokusevski, and Isaiah Roby will start, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Darius Bazley.
POR - Eric Bledsoe (Achilles), Damian Lillard (abdomen), Jusuf Nurkic (foot), Justise Winslow (Achilles): OUT
Anfernee Simons continues to start in place of Lillard. Keon Johnson, Josh Hart and Drew Eubanks are expected to start.
PHX - Chris Paul (thumb): OUT
Cameron Payne gets the start.
Elite Players
Guards
James Harden ($11,200)
Harden logged 80 DK points in his last game and has excelled in two games with the 76ers. He has an advantage against the Knicks' backcourt and should be up for another big night.
CJ McCollum ($9,700)
McCollum has been playing great since joining the Pelicans. He is averaging 28.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals over seven games, and he topped 47 DK points in the last four games.
Forwards/Centers
Brandon Ingram ($7,900)
Ingram has a favorable matchup against the Kings, who are giving up 115.0 points per game, which is second most in the league. He is averaging 20.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists over the last 10 games, and he topped 50 DK points two times over that span.
Jimmy Butler ($9,200)
Butler is averaging 21.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals over the last 10 games, but he has to step it up in the absence of Kyle Lowry. Butler shot 60 percent from the field in his last game against the Bucks.
Joel Embiid ($11,600)
Embiid continues his stellar play, averaging 32.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals over the last 10 games. He logged 61.8 DK points in the Sixers' last matchup against the Knicks, which marked the sixth time he topped 60 DK points over the last 10 games.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Jokic ($12,400)
Jokic has an advantage against the Thunder, as they are shorthanded in the frontcourt. The star big man is averaging 23.6 points, 13.8 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 1.1 steals over the last 10 games, and he topped 60 DK points four times over that span. He logged 56.5 DK points the last time the Nuggets played against the Thunder.
Value Picks
Markelle Fultz ($4,700)
Fultz made his season debut in the Magic's last game and finished with 10 points, two rebounds, six assists in 15 minutes off the bench.
Immanuel Quickley ($4,200)
Quickley gets a boost as the Knicks are shorthanded in the backcourt.
Aleksej Pokusevski ($4,100)
Pokusevski is expected to start and has to pick up big minutes for the shorthanded Thunder.
Trey Lyles ($3,300)
Lyles is in line for his second consecutive start for the Kings, after he generated 34.5 DK points last game.
Drew Eubanks ($4,300)
Eubanks is up for another start for the Trail Blazers, after he logged 29.5 DK points in his last game.
