This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIA vs. CLE (-4.5), O/U:
GSW (-3.5) vs. IND, O/U:
SAC vs. TOR (5), O/U:
HOU vs. ATL (-11.5), O/U:
MIL vs. BOS (-1.5), O/U:
PHI (-2.5) vs. MEM, O/U:
CHA vs. DAL (-3.5), O/U:
WAS vs. DEN (-4), O/U:
PHX (-3) vs. LAC, O/U:
Look to the Kings-Raptors matchup for a high-scoring and competitive contest that should provide strong picks through all price ranges.
Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam come in with the highest salaries on the Raptors' side and both should be able to put up good numbers with their high usage rates and continued strong play. On the other hand, De'Aaron Fox of the Kings is a great option considering he has topped 42 DK points in four of the last eight games and has big upside potential.
In the mid range, Gary Trent and Scottie Barnes play key roles for the Raptors, and their ability to affect the game at both ends of the floor can contribute to some big totals. For the Kings, Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes are all good options with high potential to outplay their valuations.
Finally, both teams offer great value options starting with Chris Boucher, who will be seeing extra playing time as a result of injuries in the Raptors' frontcourt. Terence Davis and Alex Len are both expected to start for the Kings and come in with very low salaries relative to their potential to make major impacts in extended minutes. Marvin Bagley is another solid value option, as he should see some extra action with Richaun Holmes sidelined.
Injuries to Monitor
Bam Adebayo (thumb), Jimmy Butler (back), Caleb Martin (COVID-19): OUT
Dewayne Dedmon will continue to start in place of Adebayo, while Gabe Vincent is expected to get the start in place of Butler. Look for Max Strus and Tyler Herro to see some extra action off the bench.
T.J. McConnell (wrist): OUT
Justin Holiday (COVID-19): Questionable
If Holiday is sidelined, then Chris Duarte should continue to start, while he and Jeremy Lamb will also pick up some extra responsibility in the absence of McConnell.
Richaun Holmes (eye): OUT
Alex Len is expected to get the start in place of Holmes, while Marvin Bagley should continue to see a boost off the bench.
Precious Achiuwa (COVID-19), OG Anunoby (hip), Khem Birch (knee): OUT
Chris Boucher should pick up another start, while Svi Mykhailiuk and Yuta Watanabe are in line for some extra playing time off the bench.
Jalen Green (hamstring), Danuel House (ankle), Kevin Porter (thigh): OUT
D.J. Augustin, Garrison Mathews and Eric Gordon are all expected to start for the Rockets, and they will continue to see extra action to make up for the absences of Green, House and Porter. Armoni Brooks should also see increased action coming off the bench.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle), De'Andre Hunter (wrist): OUT
Without two of their key wing players, the Hawks will continue to look to Kevin Huerter and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to fill in the starting lineup. Danilo Gallinari, Cam Reddish and Delon Wright will be key pieces coming off the bench.
Josh Richardson (COVID-19): OUT
Without Richardson, the Celtics will likely look for more out of Dennis Schroder and Romeo Langford coming off the bench.
Ja Morant (knee, COVID-19), Ziaire Williams (ankle), Brandon Clarke (knee): OUT
Steven Adams (ankle), Jaren Jackson (knee): Questionable
Tyus Jones will continue to start in place of Morant. Xavier Tillman could pick up the start in place of Adams, while Kyle Anderson will likely need to step up in the case that Jackson is out as well. Look for John Konchar to see some extra playing time, while Desmond Bane will continue to see more opportunity to lead the way on offense.
LaMelo Ball (COVID-19), Jalen McDaniels (COVID-19), Ish Smith (COVID-19), Mason Plumlee (COVID-19): OUT
P.J. Washington (illness): Questionable
Kelly Oubre will continue to fill in as a starter and play a major role for the Hornets, while Vernon Carey is expected to pick up another start at center. Cody Martin will be in line for a major role off the bench.
Luka Doncic (ankle): OUT
Without Doncic, the Mavs will continue to look to Jalen Brunson to handle the starting point guard job, while Trey Burke should continue to see an increased role coming off the bench.
Kyle Kuzma (COVID-19)
Deni Avdija is expected to pick up the start in the absence of Kuzma, while Montrezl Harrell and Davis Bertans will likely see some extra playing time as well.
Austin Rivers (COVID-19): OUT
Will Barton (illness), JaMychal Green (ankle): Questionable
Without Rivers in the lineup, Bones Hyland and Facundo Campazzo should see a boost in action, and if Barton is out as well, it would mean even more responsibility for the both of them. Zeke Nnaji would be up for a boost in the case that Green is sidelined.
Devin Booker (hamstring), Frank Kaminsky (knee): OUT
Deandre Ayton (illness): Questionable
Landry Shamet is expected to pick up another start in the place of Booker. JaVale McGee got the start in the Suns' most recent contest in which Ayton and Kaminsky were both sidelined.
Paul George (elbow), Nicolas Batum (ankle): Questionable
Luke Kennard is expected to pick up the start if PG is sidelined. Terance Mann, along with Kennard, would also see a boost if Batum is out.
Elite Players
Guards
Trae Young ($10,300)
Young has a matchup against the Rockets, who are giving up an average of 112.0 points per game, which is fourth most in the league. The Rockets are also short-handed in the backcourt, leaving the Hawks' star with a greater advantage at his position. Young has been playing great lately and has topped 55 DK points in each of the last three games.
Fred VanVleet ($9,000)
VanVleet and the Raptors go up against the Kings, who are giving up an average of 114.0 points per game, which is second most in the league. VanVleet has topped 42 DK points in six of the last 10 games, including 51 DK points in his most recent contest, and he should be able to come up big again in what should be a competitive and high-scoring contest.
Forwards/Centers
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,600)
Giannis is coming off a great outing in which he accounted for 79.3 DK points, and he has topped 47 DK points in eight of the last 10 games. Giannis did not play the last time the Bucks and Celtics met this season, but he should find an advantage matched up against the older and less mobile Al Horford.
Pascal Siakam ($8,500)
The Raptors are thin in the frontcourt, which means they will need a bit more than usual out of Siakam, who is already producing at a high level. He has topped 35 DK points in eight of the last 10 games, and he should be able to do it again considering his matchup against the Kings and their sub-par defense.
Joel Embiid ($11,000)
Embiid has a matchup against the Grizzlies, who could be without their starting center Steven Adams. However, it will not make much of a difference for Embiid, as he would have the advantage regardless, based on his mobility and versatility on the offensive end. He has topped 40 DK points in each of the last eight games, including two outings with more than 70 DK points.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Jokic ($12,000)
Jokic has been playing great lately, averaging 26.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.1 steals, over the last seven games. He has topped 48 DK points in each of those contests, including four outings in which he logged more than 60 DK points. Jokic should find an advantage in his matchup against the Wizards, who are not a very big team to begin with and will be missing Kyle Kuzma in the frontcourt.
Value Picks
Gabe Vincent ($4,200)
Vincent has seen a boost in his role lately, averaging 27 minutes per game over the last eight games, and he has topped 20 DK points six times over that span. He is expected to get the start in place of the injured Jimmy Butler, which will provide a great opportunity for him to turn in added value.
Terence Davis ($4,100)
Davis has been seeing more action for the Kings lately, as he is averaging 24 minutes per game over the last eight games and has picked up the start in six of those contests. He has topped 21 DK points in seven of the last eight contests, including three instances in which he topped 37 DK points.
Cam Reddish ($3,300)
Reddish played 17 minutes in the Hawks' most recent contest after returning from a four-game absence due to a wrist injury. He should see significant action Monday, as the Hawks are without two of their key wing players. Reddish is averaging 11.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals, in 22 minutes per game this season. He should also find a good opportunity going up against the Rockets, who are short-handed and not very strong defensively.
Marvin Bagley ($3,800)
Bagley has been seeing more minutes lately for the Kings, averaging 20 minutes per game over the last 10 games. He has topped 20 DK points in five of those outings, including three games in which he exceeded 26 DK points.
Chris Boucher ($4,300)
Boucher is expected to pick up the start and see extended minutes as a result of multiple injuries in the Raptors' frontcourt. He has topped 23 DK points in the last three games and should have a great opportunity to do it again, especially going up against the Kings, who are thin in the frontcourt and not a strong defensive team.
