This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
PHX (-3.5) vs. BOS, O/U:
CHI (-3.5) vs. IND, O/U:
DAL vs. SAC (-0.5), O/U:
MIA (-4.5) vs. HOU, O/U:
ATL vs. CLE (-1), O/U:
LAC vs. TOR (-5.5), O/U:
NYK vs. OKC (-6.5), O/U:
SAS vs. MEM (-7), O/U:
MIN vs. UTA (-10.5), O/U:
POR vs. LAL (-6), O/U:
As most teams continue to deal with shorthanded rosters, there are plenty of value opportunities with players picking up additional roles.
On the early slate, the Bulls-Pacers matchup features some quality options, starting with Caris LeVert as he'll continue to see a boost with Malcolm Brogdon sidelined. Torrey Craig and Justin Holiday should also add extra minutes while Domantas Sabonis boasts a size advantage and is set to take on a bigger role.
On the Bulls' side, Coby White will keep starting for Lonzo Ball while Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan should benefit from the Pacers missing a couple key perimeter defenders. Javonte Green and Ayo Dosunmu also offer decent value.
Injuries to Monitor
Deandre Ayton (COVID-19), Jae Crowder (COVID-19), Frank Kaminsky (knee), JaVale McGee (COVID-19): OUT
Cameron Johnson will start in place of Crowder. Jalen Smith should receive big minutes in the Suns' depleted frontcourt.
Enes Freedom (COVID-19), Aaron Nesmith (COVID-19), Dennis Schroder (COVID-19), Jayson Tatum (COVID-19): OUT
Jaylen Brown will keep logging a major role without Tatum in the lineup. Payton Pritchard will get a boost with Schroder out while Grant Williams and Romeo Langford are up for added playing time.
Lonzo Ball (COVID-19), Tony Bradley (COVID-19), Alex Caruso (foot): OUT
As mentioned before, Coby White will fill in for Ball while Ayo Dosunmu and Javonte Green should see an increase in their workload.
Malcolm Brogdon (achilles), Chris Duarte (COVID-19), Jeremy Lamb (COVID-19), T.J. McConnell (wrist): OUT
Caris LeVert will continue to play plenty of minutes while Torrey Craig, Justin Holiday and Oshae Brissett are in line for added opportunities.
Reggie Bullock (COVID-19): Questionable
Maxi Kleber (COVID-19), Trey Burke (COVID-19), Luka Doncic (COVID-19), Tim Hardaway (COVID-19), Isaiah Thomas (COVID-19), Boban Marjanovic (COVID-19): OUT
Jalen Brunson and Frank Ntilikina will continue to hold it down in the Mavs' backcourt. Josh Green, Sterling Brown and Moses Brown should also get more playing time.
Jimmy Butler (ankle): Questionable
Bam Adebayo (thumb), P.J. Tucker (knee), Kyle Lowry (COVID-19), Dewayne Dedmon (knee), Max Strus (COVID-19), KZ Okpala (wrist), Duncan Robinson (COVID-19), Gabe Vincent (COVID-19): OUT
Omer Yurtseven, Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin will need to step up in big minutes. The Heat signed Mario Chalmers to a 10-day contract, so he could also see some action.
D.J. Augustin (COVID-19), Kenyon Martin (COVID-19), Garrison Mathews (COVID-19), Jae'Sean Tate (COVID-19): OUT
David Nwaba, Armoni Brooks and Daniel Theis will receive additional playing time.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (COVID-19), John Collins (COVID-19), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (COVID-19), Danilo Gallinari (COVID-19), Delon Wright (COVID-19), Kevin Huerter (illness), Lou Williams (COVID-19): OUT
Skylar Mays, Chaundee Brown and Lou Williams should see a boost. Cam Reddish will continue to start.
Jarrett Allen (COVID-19), Cedi Osman (COVID-19): Questionable
Darius Garland (COVID-19), Ricky Rubio (knee): OUT
Kevin Pangos and Isaac Okoro are primed for big minutes.
Reggie Jackson (COVID-19): Questionable
Paul George (elbow), Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle), Nicolas Batum (ankle): OUT
Eric Bledsoe, Luke Kennard, Terance Mann and Marcus Morris will each log more responsibility.
Fred VanVleet (COVID-19), OG Anunoby (COVID-19), Scottie Barnes (COVID-19), Precious Achiuwa (COVID-19), Dalano Banton (knee), Khem Birch (COVID-19): Questionable
Malachi Flynn, Yuta Watanabe and Chris Boucher could see extended minutes.
Evan Fournier (ankle): Questionable
Derrick Rose (ankle), Julius Randle (COVID-19), Nerlens Noel (COVID-19): OUT
Kemba Walker is up for more playing time with Rose remaining out. Mitchell Robinson and Obi Toppin will get a boost without Noel or Randle available.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), Kenrich Williams (ankle): Questionable
Darius Bazley (COVID-19), Josh Giddey (COVID-19), Tre Mann (COVID-19), Aleksej Pokusevski (COVID-19), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (COVID-19): OUT
Aaron Wiggins, Theo Maledon, Paul Watson and Isaiah Roby are in line for extra minutes.
Lonnie Walker (knee): Questionable
Dejounte Murray (COVID-19): OUT
Derrick White will continue to lead the offense without Murray in the lineup. Devin Vassell and Keita Bates-Diop could get some extra court time.
Dillon Brooks (COVID-19), De'Anthony Melton (COVID-19), John Konchar (COVID-19): OUT
Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones are set to see additional action.
Jarred Vanderbilt (COVID-19), Anthony Edwards (COVID-19), Taurean Prince (COVID-19): Questionable
D'Angelo Russell (COVID-19), Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19): OUT
Malik Beasley and Naz Reid will pick up key extra minutes.
Joe Ingles (back): Questionable
Mike Conley (rest): OUT
Donovan Mitchell will have to step up without Conley in the lineup. Jordan Clarkson should also be up for an enhanced role.
Nassir Little (ankle): Questionable
Robert Covington (COVID-19), CJ McCollum (chest), Jusuf Nurkic (COVID-19), Anfernee Simons (COVID-19), Cody Zeller (COVID-19): OUT
Tony Snell and Larry Nance will keep logging more minutes. Norman Powell and Damian Lillard will have to carry the offense.
Avery Bradley (head): Questionable
Anthony Davis (knee), Rajon Rondo (COVID-19): OUT
Talen Horton-Tucker and Carmelo Anthony will see increased roles with Davis sidelined.
Elite Players
Guards
Trae Young ($11,500)
The Hawks have a matchup against the shorthanded Cavs, who are also on the second night of a back-to-back. Young needs to lead his own shorthanded side and will look to continue his strong play having exceeded 43 DK points the last two contests.
Donovan Mitchell ($9,700)
Mitchell makes his return from a two-game absence and has to step up considering the Jazz are without Mike Conley. He's also topped 37 DK points in each of his last 10 appearances. The matchup against the shorthanded Timberwolves is also favorable.
Forwards/Centers
Cam Reddish ($6,500)
Reddish has been playing great of late averaging 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals over the last five outings.
Evan Mobley ($7,600)
The Cavs are playing on consecutive days and Mobley finished with 21 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal last night. He'll need to come up big again to help lead his shorthanded squad and he should find an advantage against the Hawks, who don't have much to offer at his position.
Pascal Siakam ($9,300)
Siakam racked up 50.0 DK points in his last game and will be relied upon help his team get back on track. The Raptors play host to the Clippers, which should provide Siakam a solid chance to excel.
Expected Chalk
LeBron James ($12,000)
With Anthony Davis out, James will keep doing everything he can to help the Lakers. LeBron produced over 72 DK points in the last two contests and has gone over 60 in six of the last 10 outings. James will also have an advantage against a weakened Trail Blazers side missing a couple of key defenders.
Value Picks
Malik Monk ($4,500)
Monk has been playing well and will keep getting a boost with the Lakers' shorthanded lineup. He's also topped 32 DK points in two of the last three games.
Caleb Martin ($4,300)
Martin will have to step up for the Heat as they battle the Rockets, who give up an NBA-second-worst average of 114.8 points.
Keita Bates-Diop ($3,900)
Bates-Diop is coming off a quiet outing, but posted 20 and 41.8 DK points in the previous two games. He'll get added opportunity with Dejounte Murray sidelined.
Obi Toppin ($3,900)
Toppin will pick up a major boost and faces an advantageous matchup versus the Thunder and their multiple frontcourt absences.
Mike Muscala ($3,600)
Muscala will see some more minutes with the Thunder's depleted lineup. He produced a couple solid outings with at least 20 DK points in two of his last four appearances.
