This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
IND (-4.5) vs. ORL, O/U: 217.5
MEM (-1.5) vs. NY, O/U: 214
MIN vs. BOS (-8.5), O/U: 228.5
CHI vs. ATL (-2.5), O/U: 226.5
PHI (-7.5) vs. NO, O/U: 225.5
CHA vs. MIL (-9.5), O/U: 225.5
SA vs. DEN (-6.5), O/U: 218.5
HOU vs. LAC (-13.5), O/U: 224.5
WAS vs. GS (-4.5), O/U: 240.5
The WAS-GS matchup will be a popular target and rightfully so as it features a 240.5 total and the top fantasy player on the slate in Russell Westbrook. There are appealing mid-range options on both sides and I'd expect having multiple pieces from this game to be a popular lineup construction.
Reacting to news will be especially important tonight as there are a few teams on back-to-backs, so we're likely to see players resting. Targeting the later contests to allow for maximum roster flexibility should be beneficial, especially because people don't late-swap nearly enough. One major piece of news will be the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose potential absence would again open up significant value on the Bucks .
Injuries to Monitor
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Antetokounmpo has missed three consecutive games dealing with knee soreness and is listed as questionable for tonight. Bobby Portis has been starting at power forward in his place.
Domantas Sabonis (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Sabonis has missed the past three matchups due to a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable for tonight. Doug McDermott has been starting at power forward in his absence.
Clint Capela (achilles): QUESTIONABLE
Capela sat out the second game of a back-to-back on Wednesday and is listed as questionable for tonight. Onyeka Okongwu got the start at center last time out.
Brandon Ingram (toe): QUESTIONABLE
Ingram has missed five consecutive games due to a lingering toe injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. James Johnson has been starting at small forward in his absence.
John Wall (rest): OUT
Wall will sit out the front-end of a back-to-back tonight. Sterling Brown, Avery Bradley and D.J. Augustin are candidates to see expanded roles. Bradley got the start last time Wall missed.
Jamal Murray (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Murray has missed consecutive games due to knee soreness and is listed as questionable for tonight. Facundo Campazzo got the start at point guard over Monte Morris last time out.
Lonzo Ball (hip), Kira Lewis (calf): QUESTIONABLE, Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle): OUT
The Pelicans will be without Alexander-Walker for at least a couple weeks while Ball and Lewis are listed as questionable. Isaiah Thomas would be in line for an expanded role if Ball were to sit.
Malcolm Brogdon (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Brogdon has missed four consecutive games with a hip injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Edmond Sumner has been starting at point guard while T.J. McConnell has seen extra run off the bench.
Myles Turner (ankle): OUT
Turner will miss a second consecutive game tonight due to a sprained ankle. Goga Bitadze should get another start at center.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($11,000) is coming off yet another triple-double, his eighth in 10 games. It was a massive 23/14/15 line that saw him produce 68.5 DK points. I don't expect Westbrook to be quite as popular going forward now that Bradley Beal is back. Tonight's matchup against the Warriors boasts a whopping 240.5 total and Westbrook is the top play on the slate from a raw points perspective.
Stephen Curry ($9,900) is another solid option. He's played well of late, topping 49 DK points in four consecutive games and the Warriors face an ideal matchup against the Wizards. Playing him and Westbrook together seems reasonable as there's enough value on the slate to make it work comfortably.
Center:
Joel Embiid ($10,200) has played 29 and 33 minutes in two games since returning from a three-week injury absence. I'd expect mid 30s minutes tonight, plenty of run to be the slate's highest scorer in a matchup against the Pelicans.
Karl-Anthony Towns (10,900) and Nikola Jokic ($10,500) make it a difficult decision of who to spend up for at center. Towns appears to be the safest as he's scored at least 50 DK points in nine of his last 10 games. Jokic has benefitted from the recent absence of Jamal Murray but still hasn't shown a ceiling since the addition of Aaron Gordon. I prefer the upside of Embiid and Towns.
Forward:
With the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo uncertain, Julius Randle ($9,900) could be the highest-salaried forward on tonight's slate. He's posted at least 44 DK points in five consecutive games and is coming off 61.75 Monday. The Knicks enjoy a favorable matchup against the Grizzlies and Randle's raw points look extra appealing tonight as salary won't be such a concern due to the abundance of value.
Expected Chalk
Goga Bitadze ($3,800)
Myles Turner has already been ruled out and Bitadze is likely to get another start at center. He scored 30.25 DK points in 25 minutes on Wednesday. And even though he got a slight bump in salary, he's much too low for tonight's matchup against Orlando.
Jalen McDaniels ($3,300)
McDaniels earned the second start of his career on Wednesday and racked up 38.5 DK points over 32 minutes. Assuming he starts again, I'd expect him to be among the most popular players on the slate based on his near minimum salary.
Value Picks
Jrue Holiday ($8,400) and Khris Middleton ($8,100) (if Giannis is out)
Both Holliday and Middleton registered duds last night as the Bucks really struggled without Giannis. I'd expect that to lessen their popularity for what should be a nice bounce-back spot against the Hornets.
Zach LaVine ($7,800)
LaVine's salary has dropped to its lowest point of the season and he's seen a bump in usage the past two games. The Bulls are in a good spot against the Hawks and I'd expect LaVine to be relatively popular as he's coming off 57 DK points last contest.
Bogdan Bogdanovic ($7,000)
Bogdan's salary has gone from $3,900 all the way to $7,000 in just 10 games, but it hasn't been without merit as he's topped 40 DK points in four of his last six. I'd expect the increase causes him to go overlooked, but he should see mid 30s minutes and take upwards of 20 shots against the Bulls.
Draymond Green ($6,700)
Green has topped 44 DK points in two of his last three outings. His salary has dropped back down to a favorable level and he offers triple-double upside with the Warriors facing a prime matchup against the Wizards.
Bobby Portis ($5,700) (if Giannis is out)
Portis has started consecutive games at power forward in place of Giannis. He's coming off 44.5 DK points in 35 minutes yesterday and his salary is too low if he starts against the Hornets.
T.J. McConnell ($5,600) (If Malcolm Brogdon is out)
McConnell put up a massive 49.25 DK points last night while dishing out 15 assists. He's been seeing mid 30s minutes in Brogdon's absence and the Pacers are in a good spot against the Magic.
