This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
As we enter the home stretch, this massive 13-game slate will give you several avenues to follow on your quest to get that last big score. Before I make any endorsements, let's take a look at the pertinent injuries on the docket to find some exploitable spots.
Luka Doncic (thigh), Dwight Powell (rest) and Jalen Brunson (rest) QUESTIONABLE: With all three of these guys potentially out, you'll likely see more from Salah Mejri ($3,500), Trey Burke ($4,600) and Justin Jackson ($4,300) - but this is a starting lineup you'll want to check in on before game lock.
Devin Booker OUT FOR SEASON, Deandre Ayton (ankle) OUT and Richaun Holmes (ankle) QUESTIONABLE: If Holmes suits up, I expect him to be the big beneficiary for Ayton, but pivot to Dragan Bender ($4,600) if he sits. The Suns could either elect to go with a veteran presence in Jamal Crawford ($3,600) or go for youth with Troy Daniels ($3,200), Elie Okobo ($3,200) and Jimmer Fredette ($3,200) to replace Booker. Again, it's a starting lineup worth monitoring.
Blake Griffin (knee) QUESTIONABLE: If Griffin sits, a pivot to Thon Maker ($4,800) and a boost for Andre Drummond ($9,900) are your sensible plays.
DeMarcus Cousins (rest) QUESTIONABLE: If the Warriors can clean things up early against the Cavs, I wouldn't expect any of the starters to log significant minutes. The elites could post good first-half numbers, but I'm not high on anyone here.
Kevin Love (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE: Tristan Thompson's participation is also in question, so Larry Nance ($6,300) remains your best play.
Jabari Parker (knee) OUT: It's looking like the season is done for Parker. With Trevor Ariza (groin) also done for the year, I'd expect Troy Brown ($5,000) to get a bump, but Jordan McRae ($4,100) has gradually seen more time over the past week and could also be in line for increased production.
Ricky Rubio (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE: After a late scratch on Wednesday, I suspect they might let Rubio sit for one more night so he can be ready for playoff action. With Derrick Favors also out and Jae Crowder questionable, you can pretty much rely on the starters to pick up the slack here, but I'd be willing to throw Grayson Allen ($3,100) in as a GPP flier against the Kings.
There are other ongoing injury situations to monitor, like the guards in Memphis and the joke of a lineup for the Lakers.
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR at DEN ($9,500): With George slowed by an injury, you'd be a fool not to consider Russell Westbrook after his monster 20-20-20 game on Tuesday - but I'm avoiding the obvious and endorsing Lillard on what I view to be the most competitive game on the slate. Both teams have something to prove going into the playoffs. And after a beatdown by the Warriors, the Nuggets need to figure out how they'll stack up with the rest of the competition. Lillard should give them trouble on their home court and should continue to lead Portland with C.J. McCollum still sidelined.
Goran Dragic, MIA at MIN ($6,300): Although the Heat get Justise Winslow back and Josh Richardson is shut down for the regular season, I suspect the Heat will be looking to Goran Dragic to lead this team into playoff relevancy. He's now seeing his regular complement of minutes and the Timberwolves are dreadful against opposing backcourts, so I'm locking Dragic in for a lot of exposure tonight.
Ian Clark, NO at PHO ($4,600): You won't see many guys at this price point who have logged 30-plus minutes in three straight games, but that's the case for Clark. While this pick carries a bit of volatility, this is a favorable matchup against the injury-riddled Suns. This may turn into a messy game, but Clark is definitely a budget pick worth considering.
Additional guards to consider: Donovan Mitchell, UTA vs. SAC ($8,400), Joe Ingles, UTA vs. SAC ($6,800), Delon Wright, MEM at DAL ($6,500), Bryn Forbes, SA at WAS ($4,700)
FORWARDS
Julius Randle, NO at PHO ($8,700): With question marks above him, I have a hard time ignoring Randle against a Suns side that will be vulnerable in the interior without Deandre Ayton. I tend to get a bit hesitant when both teams in a contest have nothing to play for, but Anthony Davis REALLY has no cause to make much of an effort - leaving Randle to do the heavy lifting. While his floor sits around 40 DKFP, he could pop in this scenario.
Bobby Portis, WAS vs. SA ($6,800): With Parker and Ariza both out, it will be up to Portis and Thomas Bryant to keep the Wizards frontcourt in operation. And while I'm not thrilled about Portis's consistency, I am prone to endorse him based on the opportunity here. The Spurs are healthy and can be a little tough defensively, but the points will have to come from somewhere for Washington. Portis won't eclipse Bradley Beal, but he'll still play a significant role on both ends of the court.
Gordon Hayward, BOS at IND ($4,600): This was about as low as I was comfortable at this position, but I like Hayward with Marcus Morris out and Al Horford struggling with an injury. His totals in all categories have trended up over the past few games, and I think he'll end up with an attractive ownership number tonight even though the pace of this game isn't favorable.
Additional forwards to consider: Danilo Gallinari, LAC vs. LAL ($7,100), Christian Wood, NO at PHO ($6,500), Ivan Rabb, MEM at DAL ($5,300), Evan Turner, POR at DEN ($4,200)
CENTERS
I'm going to pass on Karl-Anthony Towns tonight. Although I will likely give Andre Drummond ($9,900) some love if Blake Griffin sits, we've got a lot of lower-priced options under center on this huge slate tonight.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. SAC ($8,900): Gobert is on an insane six-game tear with DKFP scores ranging between 44 and 51 DKFP. And as I said above, Utah's starters will be picking up the slack with Derrick Favors and Jae Crowder sidelined. I like Mitchell and Gobert as the big recipients of their absence.
Pascal Siakam, TOR at CHA ($7,700): Though you'd typically slot Siakam at forward, I like Siakam better than the other options at center in this matchup. After a 50 DKFP performance against the Nets, I think we'll see a similar total against another opponent that's weak under the basket.
Additional centers to consider: Clint Capela, HOU vs. NY ($7,900) Mitchell Robinson, NY at HOU ($7,000)
