This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
VSlate Overview
BOS (-8.5) at DET, O/U:
CHI (-2.5) at IND, O/U:
CLE at CHA (-5), O/U:
ATL at TOR (-1.5), O/U:
HOU at SAS (-3), O/U:
NOP at DEN (-5.5), O/U:
BKN at UTA (-5.5), O/U:
PHI at DAL (-1), O/U:
OKC at POR (-7.5), O/U: 214
The Sixers-Mavs features two of the top DFS producers with Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid. Both clubs include a couple reliable mid-range picks and a number of viable value options to balance out a solid lineup.
In addition to Embiid, look for Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey to continue their strong play for the Sixers while Danny Green, Matisse Thybulle, Isaiah Joe and Georges Niang offer potential.
On the Mavs' side, Jalen Brunson is thriving alongside Doncic in the backcourt while Maxi Kleber, Reggie Bullock and Josh Green can turn in decent value.
Injuries to Monitor
DET - Cade Cunningham (hip), Josh Jackson (back): Questionable
Killian Hayes and Hamidou Diallo will get a boost if Cunningham and/or Jackson are out.
CHI - Zach LaVine (back): Questionable
Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist), Derrick Jones (finger): OUT
Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White will keep logging extended minutes in place of Ball and Caruso. Javonte Green and Troy Brown will get a boost in the frontcourt. Matt Thomas will see more action if LaVine can't go.
IND - Oshae Brissett (ankle), Goga Bitadze (foot): Questionable
Malcolm Brogdon (achilles), Myles Turner (foot), Domantas Sabonis (COVID-19), Isaiah Jackson (ankle): OUT
Torrey Craig and Chris Duarte will continue to start in place of Brogdon and Turner. Terry Taylor will be up for an increased role if Bitadze and/or Brissett are gone along with the other three.
CLE - Darius Garland (back), Lauri Markkanen (ankle): OUT
Brandon Goodwin is expected to start in place of Garland while Cedi Osman will fill in for Markkanen.
CHA - Gordon Hayward (COVID-19): Questionable
Jalen McDaniels (ankle): OUT
P.J. Washington got the start in place of Hayward in the Hornets' last game. Washington, Kelly Oubre and Cody Martin will each pick up extra minutes without McDaniels.
ATL - John Collins (shoulder): Questionable
Danilo Gallinari is up for a boost if Collins is out.
SAS - Doug McDermott (ankle), Dejounte Murray (wrist), Keita Bates-Diop (not injury related), Jakob Poeltl (concussion): Questionable
Devin Vassell and Lonnie Walker will have to step up if Murray, McDermott and/or Bates-Diop are sidelined. Thaddeus Young is in line for another start should Poeltl sit.
NOP - Josh Hart (knee): Questionable
Willy Hernangomez (COVID-19), Garrett Temple (COVID-19): OUT
Nickeil Alexander-Walker will get more action if Hart is out. Jaxson Hayes and Trey Murphy are primed for a boost without Hernangomez and Temple.
BKN - LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle), Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle): OUT
Patty Mills and Kessler Edwards will continue to start in place of Harris and Durant while Nicolas Claxton and Blake Griffin should log more court time with Aldridge sidelined.
UTA - Hassan Whiteside (back), Jordan Clarkson (knee): Questionable
Rudy Gobert (calf), Danuel House (COVID-19): OUT
Joe Ingles will get a boost off the bench with Clarkson sidelined. Eric Paschall would be in line for a major role if Whiteside is out, in addition to Gobert's injury.
PHI - Seth Curry (back): Questionable
Furkan Korkmaz (knee), Shake Milton (back): OUT
Danny Green will be up for big minutes in the backcourt if Curry is out along with Korkmaz and Milton.
DAL - Tim Hardaway (foot), Kristaps Porzingis (knee): OUT
Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell will continue to hold down the frontcourt without Porzingis. Reggie Bullock should receive more responsibility in place of Hardaway.
OKC - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), Aaron Wiggins (ankle), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot), Isaiah Roby (ankle): OUT
Tre Mann and Kenrich Williams are expected to fill in for Gilgeous-Alexander and Wiggins while Mamadi Diakite is up for another start at center. Darius Bazley is also up for a boost.
POR - Larry Nance (knee)
Damian Lillard (abdomen), Cody Zeller (knee): OUT
Anfernee Simons will continue to start in place of Lillard. Ben McLemore and Tony Snell should get extra minutes off the bench.
Elite Players
Guards
LaMelo Ball ($9,600)
Ball poured in a career-high 38 points in the Hornets' most recent contest and is averaging 27.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.4 steals over the last five. He's topped 50 DK points in three of five, including two over 60 DK. Ball has an advantage against the Cavs and their depleted backcourt.
CJ McCollum ($8,300)
McCollum has continued stepping up in the absence of Damian Lillard averaging 20.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists across 10 outings while producing at least 34 DK eight times over that span. He'll get a chance to build on that momentum as the Trail Blazers host the shorthanded Thunder.
Forwards/Centers
Jayson Tatum ($10,600)
Tatum continues to put up major numbers averaging 27.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the last 10 games. He's exceeded 40 DK eight times over that stretch, including three where he went over 54. The Celtics take on the Pistons, who allow opponents to shoot an average of 47.2 percent from the field. That should leave Tatum plenty of room to excel offensively.
Tobias Harris ($8,100)
Harris will have the opportunity to do well against the Mavs. Harris has been playing well of late averaging 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals across 10 appearances and exceeding 38 DK points on seven occasions.
Jusuf Nurkic ($8,200)
Nurkic has an advantage versus the Thunder and their shorthanded frontcourt. He's averaging 18.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals from the last 10 games and has to continue to step up with a few teammates out.
Expected Chalk
Joel Embiid ($12,300)
Embiid should be able to dominate the paint against Dallas and is averaging 34.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.5 blocks over his last 10 contests while topping 55 DK points eight times, including four over 65.
Value Picks
Tre Mann ($4,200)
Mann poured in a career-high 29 points in the Thunder's last outing and is in line to pick up another start.
Reggie Bullock ($4,500)
Bullock is coming off a season-high 23-point performance and will continue to see extra playing time.
Torrey Craig ($4,600)
Craig will continue to start after registering 36 DK points in his most recent game with over 20 in six of the last 10.
Darius Bazley ($4,400)
Bazley topped 26 DK in each of the last three and is up for more minutes due to the Thunder's shorthanded frontcourt.
Nicolas Claxton ($4,900)
Claxton has continued to step up and came up huge Wednesday with 51.8 DK points. He should keep it going against the Jazz minus Rudy Gobert.
