This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
UTA (-9.5) vs. WAS, O/U: 237.5
OKC vs. ATL (-6.5), O/U: 226.5
ORL vs. NY (-6.5), O/U: 207.5
MIN vs. PHX (-10.5), O/U: 229.5
NO vs. POR (-1), O/U: 240
CHA vs. LAL (-8), O/U: 226
Thursday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and includes six games. Clint Capela (heel) is questionable, and Mike Conley (rest) is out. The Magic and Thunder have listed multiple players as questionable, while the Knicks are already shorthanded at guard and could be without Immanuel Quickley (ankle) tonight.
The ORL-NY matchup might not seem like a game to target, as its 207.5 total is the lowest on the slate, but both teams have elite spend-up options, and both teams could be without multiple key players. Julius Randle ($10,000) and Nikola Vucevic ($10,100) are the top centers on the slate, and both have been carrying their respective teams as injuries have taken their toll. Derrick Rose remains out, while Elfrid Payton is doubtful. If Immanuel Quickley (ankle) gets the start at point guard, then he would be an appealing value option, but if he were to sit, Alec Burks ($4,900) and Reggie Bullock would be two of the more popular plays on the slate. Fortunately, we should have most of the significant news before lock.
Injuries to Monitor
Clint Capela (heel): QUESTIONABLE
Capela has missed consecutive games with a heel injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Danilo Gallinari ($6,100) has started in his absence, while Nathan Knight ($3,500) has seen extended run off the bench.
Terrence Ross (knee), Aaron Gordon (ankle), Evan Fournier (groin): QUESTIONABLE
The Magic have three players listed as questionable for tonight. They practiced this week and seem to be trending in the right direction, but keep an eye out for news and starting lineups.
Mike Conley (rest): OUT
Conley will sit out the front end of a back-to-back. Joe Ingles ($5,200) will likely start in his place, while Jordan Clarkson ($6,100) should see extra run off the bench.
Immanuel Quickley (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Quickley has yet to miss any time but is listed as questionable for tonight due to a sore ankle. If he were to miss, Alec Burks ($4,900), Reggie Bullock ($4,200) and Frank Ntilikina ($3,000) would be in line for expanded roles.
Darius Bazley (shoulder): OUT
Bazley will miss a fifth consecutive game tonight as he deals with a shoulder injury. Aleksej Pokusevski ($4,700) has been starting in his absence.
Luguentz Dort (toe) and Theo Maledon (thumb): QUESTIONABLE
If Maledon were to sit, Ty Jerome ($4,300) would likely get another start at point guard, while if Dort sits, Justin Jackson ($3,000) would likely see increased run.
Derrick Rose (COVID-19): OUT
Rose will miss a seventh consecutive game as he remains out due to the league's health and safety protocols. Immanuel Quickley ($6,300) has been seeing the majority of minutes at point guard.
Elfrid Payton (hamstring): DOUBTFUL
Payton has missed three consecutive games and will likely be out again tonight. Immanuel Quickley ($6,300), Alec Burks ($4,900) and Frank Ntilikina ($3,000) have seen expanded roles in his absence.
Elite Players
Guard:
Damian Lillard ($11,000)
Lillard's salary has reached 11K for the first time this season after he dropped 50 points against the Pelicans on Tuesday in an incredible comeback win that saw him put up 75 DK points. The two teams will run it back tonight in a matchup that features a massive 240 total. There aren't many elite players on the slate tonight, so while I don't love his inflated salary or CJ McCollum back and sapping some of his usage, he doesn't need to go nuclear to be optimal. Russell Westbrook ($10,200) is the other elite guard option, and I don't have much interest in him or the Wizards as big underdogs against a good Jazz defense.
Forward:
LeBron James ($10,700)
James has recorded consecutive triple-doubles as the Lakers appear to have righted the ship since the All-Star break. They have a favorable matchup against the Hornets tonight, and James is my preferred spend-up option on the slate, as he will continue to see all the usage he can handle in the absence of Anthony Davis. There aren't many elite options tonight, especially at forward, meaning a big game from James should carry extra weight.
Center:
Julius Randle ($10,000) and Nikola Vucevic ($10,100)
Randle continues to be incredibly consistent. He's put up at least 50 DK points in seven of his last 10 games while topping 60 in three of his last five. He's seeing upwards of 40 minutes per game and a bit more usage recently, too, as the Knicks have been without Derrick Rose and Elfrid Payton. New York's matchup against Orlando isn't necessarily ideal, but Nikola Vucevic ($10,100) is the other elite center option on the slate, and he's playing in the same game, so it doesn't really matter. Vucevic is coming off 64.5 DK points last time out, and the Magic could be missing some key players through injury tonight. I'll have interest in both guys, but I think Randle is the safer play.
Expected Chalk
Tonight's chalk will likely depend on injury news in Oklahoma City and New York. Theo Maledon and Luguentz Dort are questionable, and their potential absences would make the likes of Ty Jerome ($4,300) and Aleksej Pokusevski ($4,700) popular plays. It appears that Al Horford will be back tonight, as he isn't listed on the injury report, but if he were to sit out for a third consecutive game, Moses Brown ($4,300) would likely be the most popular play on the slate. Derrick Rose is out, Elfrid Payton is doubtful, and Immanuel Quickley is questionable. Quickley would be a relatively popular play if he starts, but if he were to miss, Alec Burks ($4,900) and Reggie Bullock ($4,200) would become two of the chalkier value plays.
Value Picks
RJ Barrett ($6,400)
Barrett has seen a bump in minutes and usage as the Knicks have been without Derrick Rose and Elfrid Payton. He's scored over 40 DK points in two of the last three games and should be good value again tonight with the Knicks shorthanded.
Montrezl Harrell ($6,400)
Harrell continues to benefit from the absences of Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol. He's put up at least 34 DK points in four consecutive games, and the Lakers have a favorable matchup against the Hornets tonight.
Jordan Clarkson ($6,100)
Clarkson should see some extra minutes off the bench with Mike Conley (rest) out tonight. The Jazz have a great matchup against the Wizards tonight, and we've seen Clarkson go for ceiling games in these spots before.
Joe Ingles ($5,200)
Ingles will likely start in place of the resting Mike Conley. He should see a bump in minutes and usage for a prime matchup against the Wizards.
Aleksej Pokusevski ($4,700)
If Pokusevski gets another start for the shorthanded Thunder, he would be one of the more appealing value plays on a slate that doesn't have many options as things stand. He's topped 30 DK points in two of the last four games and has shown double-double upside while shooting threes and blocking shots.
