This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIA (-4.5) at WAS O/U:
TOR at CHA (-1) O/U: 225.5
PHX (-6) at CHI O/U:
GSW (-11.5) at OKC O/U: 213
NYK at UTA (-7) O/U: 213.5
The Raptors-Hornets should be a high-scoring and competitive game and has a great supply of top-tier talent with reasonable salaries, along with some good value plays.
LaMelo Ball is the most expensive player in the matchup, while Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier are more affordable. Mason Plumlee has been playing well lately and can make for a good value option at center. Kelly Oubre, Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin and P.J. Washington are also priced for value.
On the Raptors' side, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam have both been putting up big numbers lately. OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes make solid picks, as they can make an impact in every category. Gary Trent has been on a scoring binge. Chris Boucher stands out as a good value option.
Injuries to Monitor
MIA - Jimmy Butler (toe), Tyler Herro (knee), Caleb Martin (achilles), Max Strus (quadriceps): Questionable
Gabe Vincent is up for a boost.
WAS - Bradley Beal (wrist), Daniel Gafford (COVID-19): OUT
Aaron Holiday is expected to start in place of Beal. Thomas Bryant could get a boost without Gafford.
CHA - Jalen McDaniels (ankle): OUT
P.J. Washington will get more playing time.
PHX - Cameron Payne (wrist), Landry Shamet (ankle): OUT
Cameron Johnson is in line for a bigger role off the bench.
CHI - Derrick Jones (finger), Zach LaVine (back), Coby White (groin): Questionable
Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist): OUT
Ayo Dosunmu continues to step up in place of Ball. Matt Thomas will have to fill in if LaVine and/or White are out.
GSW - Andre Iguodala (hip), Otto Porter (back): Questionable
Nemanja Bjelica (back), Draymond Green (back): OUT
Jonathan Kuminga will have another opportunity to step up.
OKC - Luguentz Dort (face): Questionable
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot), Aaron Wiggins (ankle), Mike Muscala (ankle), Isaiah Roby (ankle): OUT
Tre Mann, Kenrich Williams, Darius Bazley and Mamadi Diakite are in line for significant playing time.
UTA: Jordan Clarkson (knee), Rudy Gay (knee): Questionable
Joe Ingles (knee), Rudy Gobert (calf): OUT
Hassan Whiteside will continue to see extended minutes in place of Gobert. Bojan Bogdanovic and Danuel House are in for more work if Clarkson and/or Gay are out.
Elite Players
Guards
Chris Paul ($9,600)
Paul has an advantage against the Bulls' backcourt. He is averaging 19.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 12.5 assists and 1.7 steals over the last 10 games, and he topped 45 DK points eight times over that span.
Donovan Mitchell ($8,400)
Mitchell logged 27 points, three rebounds, six assists and a block in just 22 minutes in his last game, which marked his first action after an eight-game absence. He'll have to come up big again for his squad, and he has an advantage in his backcourt matchups against the Knicks.
Forwards/Centers
OG Anunoby ($7,300)
Anunoby is averaging 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks over the last 10 games, and he topped 33 DK points eight times over that span, including one outing in which he logged 55.5 Dk points.
Julius Randle ($8,800)
Randle is coming off a monster night in which he logged 66.5 DK points. He is averaging 17.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists over the last 10 games, and he has an advantage against the Jazz frontcourt.
Pascal Siakam ($9,200)
Siakam has an advantageous matchup against the Hornets, who are giving up an average of 114.2 points per game, third most in the league. They also give up the third-most rebounds per game. Siakam topped 45 DK points in each of the last four games, including three games over 50 DK points.
Expected Chalk
Stephen Curry ($10,500)
Curry is averaging 23.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.6 steals over his last 10 games, and he topped 50 DK points four times over that span. He has an advantage against the Thunder, who are giving up an average of 13.2 three-pointers per game, which is sixth most in the league. The Thunder are also thin in the backcourt, giving Curry an easier time.
Value Picks
Mamadi Diakite ($3,700)
Diakite will start his fourth consecutive game for the Thunder, and he has an advantage against the Warriors' frontcourt. He topped 18 DK points in each of the last three games.
Cameron Johnson ($4,600)
Johnson is averaging 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games, and he's topped 18 DK points eight times over that span. He is up for extra playing time for his shorthanded team.
Javonte Green ($4,200)
Green is averaging 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks over the last seven games since making his return from a three-week absence.
Duncan Robinson ($3,600)
Robinson is averaging 12.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists over the last 10 games.
Alec Burks ($4,800)
Burks topped 20 DK points in four of the last eight games, including one outing in which he logged 36.3 DK points.
