This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
NYK (-1.5) vs. CHA, O/U: 223.5
DET vs. CLE (-5), O/U: 203.5
MIL (-2) vs. BOS, O/U:
PHX vs. MEM (-1), O/U:
POR (-6.5) vs. HOU, O/U: 223.5
SAC (-4.5) vs. OKC, O/U: 218
BKN (-7.5) vs. NOP, O/U:
DAL (-2.5) vs. SAS, O/U: 218
ATL vs. DEN (-4.5), O/U:
CHI vs. GSW (-5.5), O/U:
MIN vs. LAL (-3.5), O/U: 224
Take a look at the Knicks-Hornets game for a competitive and high-scoring contest filled with great options at every salary tier. On the Hornets' side, LaMelo Ball should see an advantage in the back court while Kelly Oubre is a great value who can come up with some big-time totals. With P.J. Washington sidelined, Jalen McDaniels and Cody Martin should also pick up extra minutes. Gordon Hayward is also a great mid-range selection, who can easily outplay his value. For the Knicks, Julius Randle would be a key selection leading the team and should find plenty of room against the Hornets' D. Derrick Rose has been playing well and at only $4,800 could turn out to be a big bargain.
The Timberwolves-Lakers contest is another one that should be high-scoring with a range of selections. Look for Russell Westbrook to continue his hot streak and lead the way with LeBron James still sidelined. Anthony Davis should also be able to post big totals against the Timberwolves' front-court defense. Malik Monk and Avery Bradley can offer solid value and even more so if Rajon Rondo is out. From Minnesota, Anthony Edwards is primed to produce a big night with the Lakers without a top-tier defender at the position. Karl-Anthony Towns should also find himself putting up decent numbers against a Lakers side giving up 112.8 points per game. Malik Beasley and Patrick Beverley can also be looked to as reliable value choices, as they both play critical rotational roles.
Injuries to Monitor
P.J. Washington (elbow): OUT
Cody Martin and Kelly Oubre will continue to see a boost in action as a result of Washington's absence. Jalen McDaniels is also a candidate to pick up extra playing time.
Donte DiVincenzo (ankle), Khris Middleton (COVID-19), Brook Lopez (back): OUT
Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton will continue to carry extra responsibility with DiVincenzo and Middleton out. Bobby Portis has been playing well in place of Lopez, while Jordan Nwora and Semi Ojeleye are in line for added minutes off the bench.
Jaylen Brown (hamstring): OUT
As Brown remains sidelined, the Celtics will continue to look to Marcus Smart and Dennis Schroder in the back court while Jayson Tatum will see more value as the clear-cut main offensive option. Josh Richardson should continue to offer production the bench, with Aaron Nesmith and Romeo Langford next in line.
Kelly Olynyk (knee): OUT
Without Olynyk, Trey Lyles will be the Pistons' go-to front court sub option while Josh Jackson could get a boost if the club run some smaller lineups.
Kevin Love (COVID-19), Lauri Markkanen (COVID-19), Collin Sexton (knee): OUT
As Love and Markkanen remain out, Evan Mobley will continue to have an extended role while Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens and Dylan Windler are all projected to earn extra minutes off the bench. And without Sexton, Ricky Rubio should see a boost off the bench and potentially in crunch time while Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade were the starting wings in the Cavs' last contest.
Nicolas Claxton (illness): OUT
With Claxton gone, the Nets will continue to rely on DeAndre' Bembry and LaMarcus Aldridge to provide key support while Paul Millsap has also recorded a few more minutes.
Brandon Ingram (hip), Naji Marshall (knee): Questionable
Without Ingram and Marshall, the Pelicans would remain shorthanded on the wing resulting in added opportunity for Garrett Temple and Josh Hart with Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy also projected for added value.
Norman Powell (quad): Questionable
The Trail Blazers have looked to Nassir Little in the absence of Powell, while Larry Nance could also see a boost coming off the bench.
Tyrese Haliburton (back): Questionable
If Haliburton is out, Buddy Hield should see a increase in value likely jumping into the starting lineup. It would also mean more opportunities for Davion Mitchell to step up in the sixth-man role.
Deandre Ayton (leg): Doubtful
Should Ayton stay sidelined, JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky will both continue to log extra court time. Kaminsky has made the most of it so far, including a 31-point performance in the Suns' most recent outing.
Steven Adams (ankle): Questionable
If Adams is gone, look for Brandon Clarke to receive more minutes. The Grizzlies could elect to play a smaller lineup with Jaren Jackson moving to center and Kyle Anderson picking up more key minutes.
Maxi Kleber (oblique): OUT
With Kleber sidelined, the Mavs have to do some juggling with their second unit involving going a bit smaller and Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown each earning an increase in minutes.
Jakob Poeltl (COVID-19): OUT
Drew Eubanks will continue to see a good chunk of court time as the starting center. Lonnie Walker and Thaddeus Young should also continue to see more time off the bench.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle), De'Andre Hunter (wrist): Questionable
If either Bogdanovic or Hunter are gone, Kevin Huerter should be the first to enhance his value. Danilo Gallinari and Cam Reddish would also be top candidates to step up off the bench, especially if both are out.
Michael Porter (back): OUT
Porter's absence will open up a major role for Jeff Green while JaMychal Green should also add minutes.
Nikola Vucevic (COVID-19): OUT
The Bulls will look to Tony Bradley to step up at center. Javonte Green and Derrick Jones will also keep logging big front court minutes.
Draymond Green (thigh), Damion Lee (hip): Questionable
Golden State could rely on Otto Porter and Juan Toscano-Anderson if Green is out. In the backcourt, Gary Payton will see a greater boost in playing time should Lee sit. Also look for Andre Iguodala to get more playing time with either player sidelined.
Rajon Rondo (hamstring): Questionable
LeBron James (abdomen), Austin Reaves (hamstring): OUT
If Rondo should miss out, Malik Monk should receive a boost in usage as one of the Lakers' only remaining ball-handlers other than Russell Westbrook. With James gone, that leaves Westbrook and Anthony Davis to run the show while Carmelo Anthony will see more shots. Reaves recently made his way into the playing rotation, but the Lakers will go back to Kent Bazemore and Avery Bradley.
Elite Players
Guard
Damian Lillard ($9,800)
Many may be counting out Lillard after a slow start to the season, but he's been picking up rhythm lately by topping 25 points in four of his last five games. Going up against the inexperienced Rockets' back court, he should find another opportunity to keep up the improved play and come up with a solid performance. The Rockets are also giving up an average of 111.3 points, which is among the league's highest.
Devin Booker ($9,500)
Booker is coming off a couple lower-scoring efforts, but prior to that dropped 27 and then 38 in consecutive contests. He's also been contributing across the stat sheet, which will help ensure a reasonable output even if his scoring isn't great. Booker should have a good shot at a big night against the Grizzlies, who are allowing the second-most points per game with opponents recording high shooting percentages from close and long-range.
Forward/Center
Kevin Durant ($11,100)
Durant faces the Pelicans, who give up an average of 111.9 points. They carry one of the NBA's poorest defenses allowing opponents to shoot 47.5 percent from the field. Durant is averaging 29.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists and should have every opportunity to top those numbers tonight.
Julius Randle ($10,200)
Randle has posted 21.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. He's set to face the Hornets, who are giving up a league-worst 117.5 points along with a second-worst average of 49.2 rebounds. Randle should find plenty of chances to pad his stats in what can be expected to be a high-scoring matchup.
Nikola Jokic ($11,700)
Jokic will be back in action after his one-game suspension and should be well-rested and ready to go at home against the Hawks. He's been off to a great start to the season leading the club offensively in the wake of injuries. Jokic comes with a steep salary, but Atlanta isn't strong defensively. The matchup against Clint Capela should allow him room to operate away from the basket, where he's able to do a lot of damage while scoring and facilitating the attack.
Expected Chalk
Russell Westbrook ($11,200)
Westbrook is coming off two straight triple-double performances and has shown in the past he can keep it rolling once he gets in a groove. With LeBron James still sidelined, Westbrook will continue to carry a larger-than-usual portion of the offensive load. He goes up against the Timberwolves, who are not strong defensively and will have a tough time containing him especially in transition. Minnesota's also giving up 16.4 turnovers per game, which should allow a few extra opportunities for Westbrook to rack up valuable steals. The Lakers will be at home where they've just produced two hard-fought victories, giving Westbrook added momentum to get going early.
Value Picks
Dwight Powell ($3,600)
Powell is a key player for the Mavs up front, especially since they remain without Maxi Kleber. Powell battles the Spurs, who are shorthanded at center and could result in an easier-than-usual matchup. The Spurs are not one of the better rebounding teams, which should allow Powell to haul in a few extra boards and pad his stats.
Malik Monk ($3,600)
With Austin Reaves and LeBron James out, key minutes are available for Monk after posting an impressive 27-point outing. If Rondo is also sidelined, it would allow more minutes and a greater usage rate for Monk as he'd occasionally operate as a primary ball handler.
Josh Richardson ($3,300)
Richardson gets a big boost in value with Jaylen Brown out of the lineup moving up as the sixth-man. He plays well at both ends of the floor and should find an advantage against a shorthanded Bucks' second unit.
Trey Lyles ($3,200)
With Kelly Olynyk sidelined, Lyles moves up in the rotation as the Pistons' key big man off the bench. Going against the Cavs who are light in the front court should allow Lyles a better opportunity to excel.
Tony Bradley ($3,000)
The Bulls are not deep up front at full strength, and with Nikola Vucevic sidelined will have no choice but to lean heavily on Bradley. The Bulls face a tough matchup against the Warriors, but a fast-paced, high-scoring encounter should help Bradley accumulate solid stats.
