This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BOS (-2.5) vs. CLE, O/U: 199
SAC (-4.5) vs. DET, O/U: 212
NOP vs. WSH (-3), O/U:
ORL vs. ATL (-10), O/U:
IND vs. NYK (-3), O/U: 216.5
MIA (-9.5) vs. OKC, O/U:
DEN vs. DAL (-4), O/U: 209
HOU vs. MEM (-11), O/U: 219.5
PHX (-3.5) vs. MIN, O/U: 221
TOR vs, POR (-1), O/U:
CHI vs. LAL (-1), O/U: 219
The Pacers-Knicks matchup features strong options in every price tier, who should have ample opportunity to produce in a high-scoring and competitive contest. Julius Randle of the Knicks and Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon of the Pacers headline the action with top-tier price tags.
Myles Turner, Caris LeVert and T.J. McConnell provide reliable mid-tier choices on the Pacers' side, while Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose can come up big from the mid-tier on the Knicks' side. Look out for some value from the Knicks' Evan Fournier, while Justin Holiday of the Pacers could be a golden value option if Chris Duarte (questionable) is sidelined.
The Suns-Timberwolves game is an intriguing matchup that should feature fast-paced and high-scoring action. Karl-Anthony Towns should see an advantage in the front court for the Timberwolves, which can help him pay off his high price tag, while Anthony Edwards and D'Angelo Russell come in reasonably priced considering their potential to go off for massive point totals.
The Suns will be on the second night of a back-to-back, but Chris Paul and Devin Booker did not need to put in hefty minutes in their blowout win on Sunday, which means they should have plenty of gas to keep rolling on Monday. Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder of the Suns are reliable mid-range and value options, while JaVale McGee is a standout choice if Deandre Ayton (questionable) remains out.
On the Timberwolves' side, Patrick Beverley and Malik Beasley are priced in the value range but can end up with some generous returns.
Injuries to Monitor
Jaylen Brown (hamstring): OUT
As Brown remains sidelined, the Celtics will continue to look to Marcus Smart and Dennis Schroder in the backcourt while Jayson Tatum will see more value as the clear-cut main offensive option. Josh Richardson will also see a more critical role coming off the bench.
Kevin Love (COVID-19), Lauri Markkanen (COVID-19), Collin Sexton (knee): OUT
Evan Mobley will continue to see a major role in the front court, while Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens and Dylan Windler will continue to see extra minutes off the bench. Ricky Rubio will see a boost off the bench without Sexton in the lineup, while Isaac Okoro is set to get the start at shooting guard.
Kelly Olynyk (knee): OUT
Without Olynyk, Trey Lyles is the go-to frontcourt option off the bench. However, Josh Jackson and Frank Jackson have seen an uptick in playing time, as the Pistons have elected to go smaller in their last couple of contests.
Bradley Beal (personal): OUT
Aaron Holiday got the start without Beal in the Wizards' most recent contest. Spencer Dinwiddie and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can see some added value as they take on a greater portion of the shots on offense.
Jalen Suggs (ankle): Questionable
If Suggs is to be sidelined, then look for R.J. Hampton and Gary Harris to see some extra responsibilities.
De'Andre Hunter (wrist): OUT
Kevin Huerter will likely pick up the start and see key minutes in place of Hunter, while Danilo Gallinari and Cam Reddish should get a bump up in the rotation off the bench.
Chris Duarte (ankle): Questionable
The Pacers will likely look to Justin Holiday to step up for more of a role in the absence of Duarte, while Jeremy Lamb should see some extra playing time coming off the bench.
Will Barton (back), Austin Rivers (undisclosed): Questionable
Michael Porter (back): OUT
Bones Hyland and Facundo Campazzo will need to step up if Barton and/or Rivers are sidelined. Meanwhile, Porter's absence has opened up a major role for Jeff Green. JaMychal Green should continue to see a boost off the bench.
Maxi Kleber (oblique): OUT
With Kleber sidelined, the Mavs have been going smaller with their second unit, resulting in Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown each seeing some extra playing time.
Deandre Ayton (leg): Questionable
If Ayton remains sidelined, JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky will be the focus of the Suns' front court. McGee is coming off a solid performance on Sunday, where he logged 19 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and a steal, in 24 minutes.
Jimmy Butler (ankle): Questionable
With Butler sidelined, Tyler Herro picked up the start in the Heat's last two contests, while Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin saw some extra run off the bench.
Precious Achiuwa (shoulder), Chris Boucher (back), Fred VanVleet (groin): Questionable
If Achiuwa and/or Boucher are sidelined, then Khem Birch will see a bigger role as the only true big coming off the bench. Svi Mykhailiuk may also see a boost as the Raptors would be forced to play smaller. If VanVleet is sidelined, then Goran Dragic will likely pick up another start, while Dalano Banton plays backup off the bench.
Damian Lillard (abdomen): Questionable
Anfernee Simons got the start in place of Lillard on Sunday and put up 16 points, five rebounds and four assists, in 27 minutes. Dennis Smith would be in line for a bigger role off the bench if the all-star remains out.
Nikola Vucevic (COVID-19): OUT
The Bulls will continue to look to Tony Bradley to fill in at center, while Javonte Green and Derrick Jones will be remain as key figures in the front court.
LeBron James (abdomen), Austin Reaves (hamstring): OUT
With James sidelined, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis are left to run the show while Carmelo Anthony will continue to see added opportunity on the offensive end. Wayne Ellington and Avery Bradley will also see more opportunity with Reaves out, while Kent Bazemore picked up a DNP coaches decision in the Lakers' most recent contest. Talen Horton-Tucker also made his season debut -- and got the start -- Sunday against the Spurs.
Elite Players
Guards
Ja Morant ($10,000)
Morant has logged a double-double in his last two games and is a solid bet to put up some big numbers against the Rockets, in what should be a high-scoring contest. Morant goes up against a young backcourt, which should give him an edge when it comes to his speed and strength driving to the basket and breaking free for his shot.
Luka Doncic ($11,300)
Doncic logged a massive triple-double in his last outing, with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists. After a slower start to the season, he has been putting up greater point totals lately, topping 20 points in each of his last seven games, including three 30-point outbursts. He should also see an advantage over Denver's shorthanded backcourt.
Forwards/Centers
Jayson Tatum ($9,800)
Tatum should find a significant advantage in his matchup against the Cavaliers, as they do not have an elite defender at his position. Tatum is the Celtics' main option on offense and carries even more responsibility with Jaylen Brown out of the lineup. He is averaging 23.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Nikola Jokic ($11,700)
Jokic has been fantastic leading the Nuggets' shorthanded lineup, averaging 25.1 points, 14.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He is set to go up against the Mavs, who are lacking frontcourt depth and often forced to play smaller, which should allow the big man some extra looks around the basket and an advantage on the glass.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,200)
Towns goes up against the Suns, who are facing the second night of a back-to-back on the road. The Suns could be without Deandre Ayton (questionable), which would give Towns more of an advantage over the shorthanded frontcourt. Towns is coming off a rough outing in his last contest but should be looking to lead his team out of a three-game slump, as they return home after an unsuccessful road trip.
Expected Chalk
Anthony Davis ($10,400)
With LeBron James out of the lineup, Anthony Davis has stepped up to lead the Lakers on both ends of the floor. Davis and the Lakers go up against the Bulls, who are facing the second night of a back-to-back on the road. The Bulls are shorthanded in the frontcourt and as a result, are forced to play a much smaller lineup, which should give Davis a major advantage in the paint. Davis is averaging 23.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals and should find an opportunity to top those numbers playing at home, where the Lakers are 7-4 this season.
Value Picks
Aaron Holiday ($3,500)
Aaron Holiday should see a massive value opportunity with Bradley Beal expected to be out again on Monday. Holiday put up solid numbers across the board in the Wizards' last contest and should find a good opportunity to rack up even better numbers going up against the Pelicans, who have one of the poorer defenses in the league.
Alex Caruso ($4,000)
Caruso picked up the start in the Bulls' Sunday-night matchup against the Clippers and will continue to see a bump in playing time as the Bulls are forced to play smaller without Nikola Vucevic in the lineup. Note also that Caruso goes up against his former team, which could give him some extra motivation.
Patrick Beverley ($4,100)
Beverley goes up against the Suns, who are facing the second night of a back-to-back on the road. He will be matched up against the talented backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, but Beverley's gritty playing style ensures that he brings even more to the table when the competition gets tough.
Kevin Huerter ($3,800)
Huerter picked up the start in place of De'Andre Hunter in the Hawks' most recent contest and will continue to see a boost in value as long as Hunter remains out. Huerter is strong on the glass and can also distribute the ball, which helps him rack up numbers across the board and maximize his value potential.
Jeff Green ($3,800)
Green will continue to be a critical player for the Nuggets as long as Michael Porter remains out. His ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor helps him stand out as a reliable selection. Green may have the tough task of guarding Kristaps Porzingis, but that should allow him to find some extra opportunities in transition, as he is great at running the floor.
