This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIN (-2.5) at CLE, O/U:
IND at ORL (-1), O/U: 229.5
CHI at MIA (-3.5), O/U: 225.5
TOR (-3.5) at BKN, O/U:
CHA at MIL (-10.5), O/U: 241
SAC (-4.5) at OKC, O/U:
SAS at MEM (-8.5), O/U:
The Spurs-Grizzlies matchup features a marquee matchup at point guard and a good selection of mid-tier and value picks. It should be a high-scoring affair, as the Spurs are giving up the fourth-most points per game, while the Grizzlies are the second-highest scoring team in the league.
On the Spurs' side, Dejounte Murray comes in with the highest salary on the slate, but he is averaging a near triple-double. Look for good mid-range production from guys like Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell, while Lonnie Walker and Josh Richardson are priced for value.
The Grizzlies' lineup is led by Ja Morant, who is averaging more than 30 points per game over his last 10 games. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson and Steven Adams are strong mid-priced options, while De'Anthony Melton, Tyus Jones and Kyle Anderson offer value potential.
Injuries to Monitor
CLE - Darius Garland (back), Rajon Rondo (toe), Caris LeVert (foot): OUT
Brandon Goodwin is up for another start and will have to play big minutes at point guard.
IND - Lance Stephenson (ankle): Questionable
Myles Turner (foot): OUT
Isaiah Jackson is up for another start in place of Turner. Chris Duarte will get extra playing time if Stephenson is out.
ORL - Markelle Fultz (knee): Probable
Fultz could make his season debut.
CHI - Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist): OUT
Ayo Dosunmu continues to start, while Coby White gets a boost off the bench.
MIA - Caleb Martin (achilles): Questionable
Kyle Lowry (personal): OUT
Gabe Vincent is up for the start in place of Lowry. Max Strus could get a boost without Martin in the lineup.
TOR - Fred VanVleet (knee): Questionable
OG Anunoby (finger): OUT
Khem Birch and Precious Achiuwa will get more opportunities in the absence of Anunoby. Gary Trent, Chris Boucher and Malachi Flynn will get a boost if VanVleet Is out.
BKN - Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle), Kyrie Irving (not injury related), Ben Simmons (not injury related): OUT
Goran Dragic will start at point guard. Bruce Brown, Seth Curry and James Johnson will get more playing time.
CHA - Nick Richards (foot), Jalen McDaniels (ankle): Questionable
Gordon Hayward (ankle), : OUT
P.J. Washington continues to start in place of Hayward.
MIL - Pat Connaughton (finger), George Hill (neck): OUT
Wesley Matthews and Jevon Carter will have to step up off the bench. Grayson Allen will also get a boost.
SAC - Richaun Holmes (back): Questionable
Damian Jones and Trey Lyles will be in line for extra action if Holmes is out.
OKC - Luguentz Dort (shoulder), Josh Giddey (hip), Ty Jerome (hip), Mike Muscala (ankle), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot), Kenrich Williams (knee): OUT
Tre Mann, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Roby will start, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Darius Bazley. Aleksej Pokusevski is up for more action off the bench.
SAS - Doug McDermott (knee): Questionable
Josh Richardson and Keita Bates-Diop would pick up added playing time.
MEM - Brandon Clarke (eye): Questionable
Dillon Brooks (ankle), John Konchar (ankle): OUT
Ziaire Williams continues to start in place of Brooks. Kyle Anderson will get extra minutes off the bench.
Elite Players
Guards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($9,600)
Gilgeous-Alexander has to step up for the Thunder, who will be without a couple of their top scorers. He has looked good in his return from a three-week absence and logged 60.5 DK points in his last game. He has a favorable matchup against the Kings, who are giving up 115.1 points per game, which is second most in the league.
Tyrese Haliburton ($8,600)
Haliburton has looked great since joining the Pacers, averaging 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 2.0 steals over the last six games. The Pacers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, but Haliburton has an advantage against the Magic's backcourt.
Forwards/Centers
Khris Middleton ($7,600)
The Bucks take on the Hornets who are playing on the second night of a back-to-back and giving up an average of 114.6 points per game, which is third most in the league. Middleton is averaging 20.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists over the last five games.
Pascal Siakam ($8,400)
Siakam has an advantage against the Nets, who are short-handed in the frontcourt. He is coming off a couple relatively quiet outings, but he has to step up for the Raptors in the absence of OG Anunoby. Siakam topped 50 DK points in five of the last 10 games, including one night in which he logged 64 DK points.
Domantas Sabonis ($9,500)
Sabonis has a favorable matchup against the Thunder's frontcourt. Sabonis is averaging 19.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game since joining the Kings.
Expected Chalk
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,200)
The Bucks host the Hornets, who struggle on the defensive end while also giving up 47.8 rebounds per game, which is second most in the league. Antetokounmpo is averaging 33.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.0 blocks over his last 10 games, and he's topped 64 DK points five times over that span. He is averaging 36.3 points and 12.3 rebounds through three games against the Hornets this season.
Value Picks
Grayson Allen ($4,100)
Allen will pick up added playing time in the absence of George Hill and Pat Connaughton, and he has an advantage against the Hornets' defense.
Goran Dragic ($4,200)
Dragic is expected to get the start for the Nets in the absence of Kyrie Irving.
Aaron Wiggins ($3,600)
Wiggins is starting for the Thunder and should find lots of opportunity against the Kings' struggling defense.
Aleksej Pokusevski ($4,300)
Pokusevski is averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks over the last seven games, and he is up for added playing time.
Precious Achiuwa ($3,600)
Achiuwa will get extra playing time since the Raptors are missing options in the frontcourt. He logged 37.3 DK points in his last game and is averaging 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds over the last 10 games.
