This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
ATL (-5.5) vs. DET, O/U: 220.5
LAL (-9.5) vs. ORL, O/U: 211.5
OKC vs. PHI (-11.5), O/U: 219.5
SA (-1.5) vs. WAS, O/U: 228.5
CLE vs. TOR (-9.5), O/U: 218.5
PHX (-1.5) vs. NY, O/U: 215.5
CHI vs. MIA (-4.5), O/U: 206.5
LAC (-3.5) vs. NO, O/U: 227.5
UTA (-9.5) vs. MIN, O/U: 229.5
MEM vs. DEN (-4.5), O/U: 228.5
DAL (-5.5) vs. SAC, O/U: 227.5
The DAL-SAC matchup is an appealing target for multiple reasons and it's the only game on the slate with a 10:00 p.m. EDT start time. The Mavericks are playing the front-end of a back-to-back and have listed Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis as questionable. If one sits, the other would be a priority spend-up in such a favorable matchup and if both are ruled out, the Dallas starters would be a popular source of value. The Kings are playing the second half of a back-to-back and will be without De'Aaron Fox again. Tyrese Haliburton was popular Sunday and I'd expect the same tonight.
If we don't get the news on Doncic and Porzingis before lock, the MEM-DEN matchup is the second-last game of the night and it's the only one that starts at 9:00 p.m. There are viable value options on both sides and if Doncic and Porzingis both end up playing, using that salary to pay up for Nikola Jokic would be a nice pivot. As far as the game itself goes, it should be competitive and that's become increasingly important. The same matchup went to double-overtime a week ago and broke the slate when Jokic and Ja Morant both topped 70 DK points.
Injuries to Monitor
Luka Doncic (elbow): QUESTIONABLE
Doncic hasn't missed a game since March 27 but is listed as questionable for the front end of a back-to-back tonight. Jalen Brunson would likely start at point guard if Doncic were to sit.
Joel Embiid (shoulder): QUESTIONABLE
Embiid was a late scratch Saturday due to shoulder soreness and is listed as questionable. Mike Scott started at center in his absence while Dwight Howard saw extra run off the bench.
De'Aaron Fox (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Fox is expected to miss 10-14 days after being placed in the league's health and safety protocols. Tyrese Haliburton started at point guard Sunday.
Donovan Mitchell (ankle): OUT
Mitchell will miss a fifth consecutive game due to an ankle injury and will be re-evaluated next week. Joe Ingles will continue to start at shooting guard in his place.
Trae Young (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Young has missed back-to-back games with an ankle injury and his status is uncertain. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter have started in the backcourt while Brandon Goodwin has seen extra run off the bench.
Kawhi Leonard (foot): OUT
Leonard has missed the past week due to foot soreness and will be out again tonight. Luke Kennard (rest) has also been ruled out, meaning Terance Mann should get another start.
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Porzingis missed Saturday's game with a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable. Dwight Powell got the start at center in his place.
Ben Simmons (illness): OUT
Simmons will miss a fifth consecutive game as he recovers from an illness. George Hill and Shake Milton will continue to see increased run.
Collin Sexton (concussion): OUT
Sexton sat out Sunday due to a concussion and there is a good chance he misses multiple games as he recovers. Cedi Osman got the start in his absence.
Tobias Harris (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Harris is considered questionable due to knee soreness. If he sits, Mike Scott would likely start in his place.
Dennis Schroder (calf): QUESTIONABLE
Schroder apparently picked up a calf injury Sunday and is listed as questionable. Alex Caruso would likely start at point guard if Schroder were to sit.
Luguentz Dort (hip): OUT
Dort will be rested tonight for the front end of a back-to-back. Svi Mykhailiuk should get another start at shooting guard.
Will Barton (hamstring): OUT
Barton strained his hamstring Friday and will miss multiple games. PJ Dozier started at shooting guard in his absence last time out.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($10,900)
Westbrook is coming off a 40.25 DK point dud Sunday. It was the first time in his last 10 games that he failed to reach 55 DK points. Recency bias and the Wizards on a back-to-back could lead to him being less popular, and that only makes him more appealing. He's topped 68 DK points in four of his last eight and has as safe a floor as anyone.
Paul George ($9,600)
George put up 60-plus DK points for the third time in five games Friday. He's been impressive in carrying the team while Kawhi Leonard has been out, and even though his salary keeps rising it's still too cheap for this role. The Clippers are in a nice spot against the Pelicans.
Center:
Nikola Jokic ($11,000)
Jokic bounced back with 55.5 DK points last time out after underwhelming in his two previous games. His lack of production was mostly due to limited minutes as the Nuggets haven't been involved in competitive games recently, but they have a favorable matchup against the Grizzlies that should stay close. Jokic put up 78.75 DK points, albeit in double overtime, in the same matchup last week.
Joel Embiid ($10,200)
Embiid is listed as questionable after sitting out Saturday due to shoulder soreness. He's topped 60 DK points in three of his last five games and has seen a slight drop in salary for no apparent reason. He will continue to benefit from the absence of Ben Simmons and could hit his ceiling even in limited minutes against the Thunder.
Forward:
Luka Doncic ($11,100)
Doncic is the most expensive player on the slate, but he's listed as questionable due to an elbow injury. He's scored at least 60 DK points in three of his last five games and the Mavericks have an ideal matchup against the Kings. Kristaps Porzingis is also questionable for the front end of a back-to-back and his absence would make Doncic even more appealing.
Zion Williamson ($10,100)
Zion would be the only forward on the slate with a five-figure salary if Doncic were to sit. He's topped 50 DK points in two of his last four games and the Pelicans have a sneaky good matchup tonight against the Clippers, who are still without Kawhi.
Expected Chalk
Cedi Osman ($3,800)
Osman got the start in place of Collin Sexton on Sunday and put up 31.5 DK points in 37 minutes. He was the chalkiest player on the slate at just $3,100 and assuming he starts again tonight, the $700 bump won't be much of a deterrent to rostering him again.
Dallas Mavericks, depending on the status of Doncic and Porzingis
The Mavericks are playing the front end of a back-to-back and have listed Doncic and Porzingis as questionable. Keep an eye out for news because if they are ruled out before lock, the Dallas starters would be a popular source of value.
Value Picks
Pascal Siakam ($8,900)
Siakam has scored at least 45 DK points in four consecutive games. He's been playing upwards of 40 minutes per night and has seen a spike in his assist rate as well. The Raptors have a favorable matchup against the Cavs.
Darius Garland ($7,500)
Garland has put up 45-plus DK points in back-to-back games and should get all the usage he can handle again as the Cavs will be without Collin Sexton for a matchup against the Raptors. He was popular Sunday and I'd expect the same tonight.
Buddy Hield ($7,400) and Tyrese Haliburton ($6,800)
The absence of De'Aaron Fox leaves quite a bit of usage up for grabs. I'd expect Haliburton to be popular after he started at point guard Sunday and scored 42.25 DK points in 37 minutes. Hield has topped 40 DK points in consecutive games and should continue to see a minutes bump and more shot attempts.
PJ Dozier ($5,200)
Dozier got his first start of the season Saturday in place of the injured Will Barton and put up 45.75 DK points in just 28 minutes as the Nuggets blew out the Rockets. He's seen a bump in salary, but it's still too low for his projected role as a starter without Barton and Jamal Murray in the lineup.
Daniel Gafford ($3,900)
Gafford has put up 38.5 DK points in two of his last three games while playing 24 and 27 minutes off the bench. Robin Lopez left Sunday's game with an injury and isn't expected to play tonight, so Gafford should be in line for extended run again.
