This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BOS vs. BKN (-4.5), O/U: 229.5
MIA (-4.5) vs. ATL, O/U: 213.5
CLE vs. CHA (-1), O/U: 209
LAC (-11.5) vs. HOU, O/U: 221
WAS (-9) vs. OKC, O/U: 230
DEN (-3) vs. GS, O/U: 227.5
MEM vs. POR (-3.5), O/U: 232.5
The MIA-ATL matchup will be a relatively popular target despite its low total. With Trae Young ruled out and Clint Capela listed as questionable, the Hawks offer value as well as midrange options who can spike a ceiling. The Heat have appealing spend-up options in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo while Tyler Herro is listed as questionable and his potential absence would free up some minutes and usage.
The DEN-GS matchup represents another solid target. Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic enjoyed big games when the teams played on Apr. 12th and both are in good form coming into a matchup that should be fast-paced and competitive. The game tips off at 10:00 p.m. EDT and back-loading the late contests has been extra beneficial of late with the variety of slate-changing news that comes after lock on a nightly basis.
Injuries to Monitor
Trae Young (ankle): OUT
Young will miss at least the next two games as he recovers from a sprained ankle. Brandon Goodwin will start at point guard in his place.
Kawhi Leonard (foot): OUT
Leonard will miss a second consecutive outing due to a foot injury and will be reevaluated next week. Terance Mann and Luke Kennard will continue to see expanded roles in his absence.
Kevin Durant (thigh): QUESTIONABLE
Durant has missed back-to-back games with a bruised thigh but has a chance to return. Jeff Green has been starting at power forward in his place.
Clint Capela (back): QUESTIONABLE
Capela has yet to miss any time recently but is listed as questionable due to a back injury. Onyeka Okongwu would be in line for a start if Capela were to miss.
Jaylen Brown (shoulder): QUESTIONABLE
Brown missed yesterday's game due to shoulder bursitis and is considered questionable. Romeo Langford got the start at small forward in his place.
Jonas Valanciunas (concussion): OUT
Valanciunas will miss a third consecutive contest as he recovers from a concussion. Xavier Tillman will get another start at center.
Kemba Walker (possible rest): QUESTIONABLE
Walker might be rested as the Celtics are playing the second half of a back-to-back. Payton Pritchard would likely start at point guard.
Kevin Porter (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Porter will miss a second consecutive game after being place in the league's health and safety protocols. Armoni Brooks got the start alongside John Wall last time out.
Robert Williams (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Williams has missed four straight due to a sore knee and is considered questionable. Tristan Thompson has been starting at center in his place.
Rui Hachimura (knee): OUT
Hachimura will be sidelined for a third consecutive game due to a knee injury. Davis Bertans will receive another start at power forward.
Tyler Herro (foot): QUESTIONABLE
Herro played 25 minutes on Wednesday but continues to deal with a lingering foot injury and is listed as questionable. Kendrick Nunn and Goran Dragic would likely see extra minutes if Herro were to miss.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($11,000) only shot 5-17 last time out but grabbed 20 rebounds on his way to 60.5 DK points and yet another triple-double. He's not only the safest spend-up option, but likely also offers the highest ceiling. The Wizards have a favorable matchup against the Thunder tonight and there is enough value on the slate to afford multiple elite players.
Stephen Curry ($10,300) is coming off his first dud in a long time last time out as he shot 2-14 from three-point range. He's still made a whopping 50 threes over his last seven and is as likely as anyone to be the slate's highest scorer. The Warriors' matchup against the Nuggets should be competitive and Curry put up 69 DK points when the teams met Apr. 12th.
Center:
Nikola Jokic ($10,900) had a string of nine consecutive games with at least 50 DK points snapped last contest. He's the top center on the slate by a wide margin and I'd expect him to be popular based on the amount of cheap value available. The Nuggets are in good spot against the Warriors and Jokic scored 58 DK points in that same Apr. 12 matchup.
Forward:
Jayson Tatum ($10,000) has shot 3-17 in consecutive efforts but has also grabbed double-digit rebounds in three straight. His salary is still at a high point, but the Celtics are likely to be without key players again for a great matchup against the Nets. I prefer to spend elsewhere as the pay-up options at guard and center are more appealing, but Tatum has considerable upside.
Jimmy Butler ($9,700) comes in as the most expensive small forward and his salary is still too high for a player that has only topped 50 DK points once over his last 10 games. However, the matchup against the Hawks will be a popular target with Trae Young ruled out and Clint Capela questionable. Butler boasts triple-double side upside if the game stays competitive and pairing him with Hawks makes sense on a smaller slate.
Expected Chalk
Brandon Goodwin ($3,400)
Goodwin is expected to start at point guard in place of the injured Trae Young. He started two games earlier in the month and played 37 minutes in each while scoring 35.75 and 32.25 DK points. The salary is way too low for his expected role and he'll surely be the most popular play on the slate.
Paul George ($9,300)
George has topped 50 DK points in six of his last seven as he's seen a significant bump in usage without Kawhi Leonard in the lineup. He's attempted at least 22 shots in four of his last five and the only time he didn't was due to limited run in a blowout. The Clippers have a favorable matchup against the Rockets and I'd expect George to be a popular spend-up option based on his safe floor and considerable ceiling.
Value Picks
John Wall ($7,500)
Wall's salary has dropped to its lowest point in more than a month, but he's still flashing upside with two efforts over 50 DK points in his last seven. The Rockets will be without Kevin Porter for a matchup against the Clippers, who will be without Kawhi Leonard and Wall should have no problem making value if it stays competitive.
Kelly Oubre ($5,800)
Oubre put up 39.75 DK points in 37 minutes last time out. His salary has reached its low in 10 games and I wouldn't be surprised if he reenters the starting lineup tonight for what should be a competitive matchup against the Nuggets.
Davis Bertans ($4,300)
Bertans will get another start at power forward with Rui Hachimura ruled out. He's topped 30 DK points in back-to-back games and has attempted 12 three-pointers in each. The upside is there, the salary is favorable and the minutes should be safe.
Daniel Gafford ($3,800)
Gafford has played well since being traded from the Bulls and is coming off 38.5 DK points in 24 minutes last time out. The Wizards three-man center rotation is far from ideal, but Gafford deserves the run and offers upside for an affordable salary if he gets it.
Armoni Brooks ($3,600), if he starts
Brooks grabbed 10 rebounds and attempted nine three-pointers while playing 35 minutes in his first start of the season last outing in place of the injured Kevin Porter. The salary is too low for a player with that type of usage who's going to have the ball in his hands.
