This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
POR vs. HOU (-4.5), O/U: 228.5
LAC vs. MIA (-5.5), O/U: 215.5
LAL (-8.5) vs. DET, O/U: 217.5
GS vs. PHX (-1.5), O/U: 219.5
Thursday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST and includes four games. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Patrick Beverley are out again for the Clippers. Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic are all listed as questionable after missing last night's game. Devin Booker is also questionable, while Robert Covington will be out again, adding to Portland's injury woes.
The POR-HOU matchup features two bad defenses and the slate's highest total. Damian Lillard is an appealing spend-up option, and the Blazers have multiple cheaper value pieces to pick from. I'd have some interest in John Wall on the Houston side if he gets his minutes restriction lifted. The LAC-MIA matchup is also a good target as both teams will be shorthanded, although the Clippers have been priced accordingly.
I don't think you need to fade any game outright when there are only four to choose from, but the Lakers are big favorites on the road against the Pistons, and except for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they don't really have much in the way of appealing value.
Injuries to Monitor
Kawhi Leonard (COVID-19), Paul George (COVID-19) and Patrick Beverley (knee): OUT
Leonard, George and Beverley will all be out for the second straight game. Reggie Jackson ($7,000), Luke Kennard ($6,500) and Terrance Mann ($5,400) started in their places last time out.
Devin Booker (hamstring): QUESTIONABLE
Booker has missed the past two games dealing with a lingering hamstring issue. Jae Crowder ($5,500) has been starting in his place.
Jimmy Butler (COVID-19), Tyler Herro (neck) and Goran Dragic (groin): QUESTIONABLE
Butler, Herro and Dragic missed last night's game and are listed as questionable again tonight. Kendrick Nunn ($5,900) and KZ Okpala ($3,000) stepped into the starting lineup.
Robert Covington (concussion): OUT
Covington will miss his second straight game tonight. Carmelo Anthony ($5,200) will likely start in his place again.
Elite Players
Damian Lillard ($10,600) and LeBron James ($10,400) are the most expensive players on the slate. Lillard has put up over 50 DK points in four consecutive games, while James is in the midst of his best stretch of the season that's included games of 75 and 59 DK points. As a result, LeBron has seen a significant decrease in salary. Just last week, he could've been rostered for as low as $9,200. Portland is slight underdogs and plays in the game with the highest total on the slate, while the Lakers are big road favorites. Between the two, my pick would be Lillard.
Stephen Curry ($9,700) and Bam Adebayo ($9,200) are the two players with salaries in the 9K range. Curry was disappointing last night as he continues to run hot and cold. Adebayo is also coming off a disappointing night in which he was a popular tournament play. He's also seen his salary hit 9K for the first time this season as he's been the main man for the shorthanded Heat. Keep an eye on Butler, Herro and Dragic's status as their availability would have an impact on Adebayo's usage. As it stands, I'd rather spend up for Lillard and pay down for better value at center.
Anthony Davis ($8,900) and Christian Wood ($8,700) are the other elite centers on the slate. I can't remember ever seeing Davis with a salary below 9K in his time with the Lakers. Wood will return tonight after missing the past three games with an ankle injury and could see his minutes restricted. Davis always has the upside to be the slate's highest scorer, and for $8,900, I'd expect him to be a popular play tonight.
Expected Chalk
Anthony Davis ($8,900)
Davis will likely be the popular spend-up option at center. It was a surprise to see him priced under 9K for the first time this season. He stands out at that salary given his potential upside, especially compared to Bam Adebayo and Christian Wood's inflated tags.
Carmelo Anthony ($5,600)
I'm not sure if chalk is the right word, but Anthony will be popular tonight, assuming he starts again for the injured Robert Covington. He scored 37 DK points while playing 35 minutes on Monday and will be facing his old team tonight in a game with the slate's highest total. Portland is still without CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, so all of their value pieces should be relatively popular tonight.
Keep an eye on the Miami injury news as Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic are questionable after missing last night's game. The Heat will be shorthanded, so whoever ends up starting will be popular on a small four-game slate.
Value Picks
Chris Paul ($8,000)
The is contingent on Devin Booker's status, who has missed back-to-back games and is listed as questionable tonight, but Paul would be one of the safest value plays on the slate if he were to miss. He's put up 56.75 and 47.25 DK points running the show in Booker's absence.
Enes Kanter ($7,100)
Portland is with Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington, so Kanter should see plenty of minutes dealing with Christian Wood and DeMarcus Cousins tonight. If he can stay out of foul trouble, he should hit value in a favorable matchup with the highest total on the slate.
Kelly Oubre ($6,400)
Oubre has struggled this season but has recently picked it up with consecutive games of 36 and 40.75 DK points. He should also be hoping to prove a point in a matchup against his old team tonight.
Mason Plumlee ($4,800)
Plumlee's salary has dipped under 5K for the first time in the past 10 games. He's coming off 34 DK points in 28 minutes and should see plenty of run tonight contending with the Laker's big frontcourt.
Derrick Jones ($4,400) and Anfernee Simons ($4,200)
Portland will be missing CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington. Simons has played well in back-to-back games while seeing mid-20s minutes. Jones has been starting at small forward and has played over 30 minutes in three of the past four. On a slate without much for cheap value, there are options on the Portland side.
