This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We've got a lot to cover on this 10-game slate – especially in the injury department – so let's get right to it!
The injury designation carrying the most mystery is Paul George because the nature of the injury is unclear at this point. This could be a good sign for George to play since we didn't see anything obvious occur that might cause concern, but it's a situation worth monitoring. If for some reason he doesn't play, then I think it's a night where Russell Westbrook ($10,900) emerges as your spend-up play. While there are a few guards near the top that could meet Westbrook's value with George in play, none have Russell's potential with a George-less game script. Conversely, it's hard to fade George in this spot either if he's good to go. And for my money, he becomes a better investment than Westbrook.
I'm excluding the obvious long-term ailments, but the following injuries are still in play:
Kyle Lowry (back): PIVOT Fred VanVleet ($5,600)
Nikola Mirotic (ankle): PIVOT Julius Randle ($7,900)
Jeff Teague (ankle): PIVOT Derrick Rose ($7,100)
These two spots are game-time calls worth monitoring, with both pivots becoming decent plays if these players miss the game or are limited to some degree.
Q Hassan Whiteside (hip): PIVOT Bam Adebayo ($4,100)
Q JaVale McGee (illness): PIVOT Ivica Zubac ($5,900) or Tyson Chandler (GPP),($3,300)
The King-less Lakers provide some interesting spots, and the team could emerge as a decent source of value in the short-term. I'm always a fan of this dual home game, but I will enjoy it even more (yes, I'm attending) because both teams are showing playoff-quality mettle, and it's been a while since we've had that potential in LA. The big beneficiary appeared to be Lonzo Ball ($5,900), who put up 57.8 DKFP with Rajon Rondo (finger) sidelined. Ball doesn't have an injury designation despite pulling up with a cramp late in the game. Both Brandon Ingram ($6,300) and Kyle Kuzma ($7,700) also produced big lines, but I'm not as keen on James' direct replacement, Josh Hart ($4,200). He played 32 minutes, and the potential is certainly there – and you could do a lot worse at this price point. Even though this is a back-to-back for the Lakers, I like loading up on both teams and I'll outline more Clippers below.
That's a lot of injury info to digest. I won't be mentioning those players again in my endorsements, but it's important to factor them in as you construct your lineups. We'll now hit picks at guard, forward and center, and I will endeavor to hit spend-up, mid-range, and low-cost salary points at each position.
GUARDS
Kemba Walker, CHA vs. BKN ($9,100): Walker is humming along with DKFP numbers in the mid-40s, and he lit up the Nets for 55 DKFP in their last meeting. The Nets rank near the bottom in almost every defensive category, making Kemba the best expensive guard option of the night.
Zach LaVine, CHI at WAS ($6,500): While you should show a bit of caution when a player returns from injury, it's usually a great value spot due to the regression of the player's salary while he was out. Luckily, we've already seen a healthy return game for LaVine, and the Wizards are about the most attractive team you could choose as you regain your footing. They rank dead-last against opposing off-guards over the past five games, yielding huge lines to Oladipo, Booker and Harden over the past two weeks. I'm hitting this spot hard in both contest formats.
Dennis Schroder, OKC at PHO ($5,300): If George should miss, Westbrook will find himself overworked, and Schroder will be crucial in keeping the pressure on against the Suns. Also, the potential for a blowout game is always there against Phoenix, which would give Schroder plenty of garbage points. Over three games against the Suns, he's averaged 32 minutes per game and could be useful for up to 40 DKFP tonight.
Other guards to consider: Jrue Holiday, NO vs. DAL ($8,900), Lou Williams, LAC at.LAL ($6,600), J.J. Barea, DAL at NO ($5,100)
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, TOR at ORL ($9,200): This is a pretty obvious one, but Leonard is going to be the centerpiece for many a build tonight. His success with Lowry out has been pretty evident, as he's averaged in the 50s (DKFP) in the games the point guard has missed. Orlando is no slouch defensively, but Leonard is a singular talent and a matchup nightmare for any team, regardless of their defensive prowess.
Tobias Harris, LAC at LAL ($7,600): Without LeBron in the lineup, Harris should be the most dominant frontcourt player we'll see on the floor in this one. Unfortunately, we don't have any history for Harris with the Lakers this season and it wouldn't do us much good to consider last year's numbers, so this pick is purely an extrapolation from what we're given. Nevertheless, we're looking at a squad without their primary difference-maker. And while they've performed well in James' absence, their frontcourt is vulnerable. I realize that I went a little high for this second pick, but I want to stay involved in this game. To keep the mid-range faith, I have no problem pivoting to Danilo Gallinari ($6,700) to stay in this one.
Mikal Bridges, PHO vs. OKC ($4,100): I wanted to give you something really low after those two picks, and I realize this one feels almost like a punt play. And that's because, essentially, that's precisely what it is. Bridges is a legit long-range threat, and I can see an argument for a situation arising where they'll let him loose. Let's say Booker isn't shooting well and Ayton can't get free – they'll need some perimeter help.
Other forwards to consider: John Collins, ATL at MIN ($7,700), Montrezl Harrell, LAC at LAL ($6, 400), Kent Bazemore, ATL at MIN ($6,100), Justise Winslow, MIA vs. CLE ($5,800)
CENTERS
As much as I'd like to go with Anthony Davis every night, I've hit too many guys in the 6K-7K range to make that kind of investment. There's no question he's going to be huge against the Mavericks and I can't tell you to fade him, but I don't see enough 4-5K guys to make this work in a reasonable way. So, I am regrettably not on Davis tonight.
Steven Adams, OKC at PHO ($6,800): As a result, I'm going low here first. I'll hit the spend-up guys in the additional players, but I feel like making the center a value spot tonight. It sounds odd to call Adams a value, but he's averaged close to 40 DKFP against the Suns over two games of action, and the possibility of a George scratch makes this play all the more alluring. I would still make a play for him either way.
Pascal Siakam ($6,200) or Serge Ibaka ($5,700), TOR st ORL: I like Siakam's floor better, but Ibaka is rounding back into form and he put up a respectable 32 DKFP against the Magic in their last meeting. These totals should come out to be reasonably similar, but I think Siakam for cash and Ibaka for GPP is a sensible way to approach this tandem.
Wendell Carter, CHI at WAS ($4,800): Gone are the days when I was firing Carter up on the regular, but his price has regressed enough to put him back into consideration – and the Wizards are about the best thing an opposing center could ask for. It's been 11 games since we've seen a double-digit rebound total from Carter, but if there was a spot for him to get back there, it's against Washington.
Additional centers to consider: Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. ATL ($9,600), Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. TOR ($8,200), and Bam Adebayo ($4,100) if Whiteside sits.
