This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
WAS vs. MIA (-6.5), O/U: 207.5
GSW (-8.5) vs. CLE, O/U: 206.5
LAC (-1) vs. MEM, O/U: 221
SAS vs. MIN (-2.5), O/U: 219.5
PHI vs. DEN (-7.5), O/U: 209.5
TOR vs. UTA (-9.5), O/U: 215.5
The Wizards-Heat contest is an intriguing matchup, as two of the top teams in the East will engage while facing the second night of a back-to-back. The Wizards provide a couple of great mid-tier options that can produce substantial totals with Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell, while guys like Daniel Gafford, Deni Avdija and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are reliable value picks based on their consistent roles in the rotation. With Spencer Dinwiddie (rest) sidelined, look to Raul Neto and Aaron Holiday to pick up extra playing time, making them stand-out value options as well. Finally, Bradley Beal is the Wizards' high-tier stud, and he should find himself in a favorable matchup, lined up across from the Heat's Duncan Robinson.
Meanwhile, on the Heat's side, Kyle Lowry should be up for a productive outing after he sat out Wednesday's contest for rest. Jimmy Butler is the highest-priced pick in the contest but should be well worth it going up against an opponent with no ideal defender to slow him down. Bam Adebayo is questionable for action, and if he remains sidelined for a third straight game, then look to Dewayne Dedmon to play a key role in the Heat's frontcourt. Tyler Herro has been playing great lately, while guys like P.J. Tucker and Duncan Robinson can jump in as steady value picks.
Injuries to Monitor
Andre Iguodala (hip): OUT
Stephen Curry (hip): Questionable
With Iguodala out, the Warriors will likely look to guys like Jonathan Kuminga and Otto Porter to fill in a few extra minutes off the bench. If Curry is sidelined, Gary Payton and Damion Lee should see additional minutes, while Andrew Wiggins will take a more prominent role offensively.
Evan Mobley (elbow), Collin Sexton (knee): OUT
Jarrett Allen (illness), Lauri Markkanen (COVID-19), Lamar Stevens (ankle): Questionable
Ed Davis picked up the start in the absence of Mobley, Markkanen and Allen on Wednesday night, while Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade both picked up starts at the forward positions. All three players should be in line for continued added value if either Allen or Markkanen remain sidelined along with Mobley. Ricky Rubio will continue to see a greater role in the absence of Sexton.
Spencer Dinwiddie (rest): OUT
Dinwiddie is expected to rest on the second night of a back-to-back, which means Raul Neto and Aaron Holiday will both be in line for a boost in playing time.
Bam Adebayo (knee): Questionable
In the absence of Adebayo, Dewayne Dedmon will likely pick up another start, while Caleb Martin, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent should each have some extra playing time off the bench.
Jakob Poeltl (COVID-19): OUT
In the absence of Poeltl, Drew Eubanks will maintain the starting role, where he is averaging 9.9 points, 7.0 rebounds. 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 22 minutes per game. Thaddeus Young will also continue to see a boost in his role off the bench.
Terance Mann (ankle): Questionable
Nicolas Batum (Achilles): Doubtful
If Mann and/or Batum are sidelined, Luke Kennard and Isaiah Hartenstein should see a boost in minutes. Kennard would likely pick up the start in the case that Batum is out.
Joel Embiid (COVID-19), Matisse Thybulle (COVID-19), Danny Green (hamstring): OUT
Andre Drummond will continue to get the start in place of Embiid. Also, consider that in Embiid's absence, Tobias Harris will see a more significant role on the offensive end. With Thybulle and Green sidelined, guys like Georges Niang, Shake Milton and Furkan Korkmaz will continue to see extra playing time.
Michael Porter (back): OUT
Will Barton (back): Doubtful
If Barton is sidelined, expect Austin Rivers to pick up a significant role, while Bones Hyland and Facundo Campazzo should see a boost off the bench. Meanwhile, Jeff Green will continue to start in place of Porter.
Precious Achiuwa (shoulder), Chris Boucher (back), OG Anunoby (hip): Questionable
If Achiuwa and/or Boucher are sidelined, then Khem Birch and Svi Mykhailiuk will likely see a boost with added responsibility off the bench. If Anunoby is sidelined, then expect Mykhailiuk to see an even more significant role, while the Raptors will need to look to guys like Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes for added scoring.
Elite Players
Guards
Dejounte Murray ($9,800)
Murray has been playing great lately, averaging 20.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 2.1 steals over the last 10 games. The Spurs go up against the Timberwolves, which should be a competitive and high-scoring contest with lots of opportunities for Murray to go to work.
Paul George ($11,000)
George has been doing it all for the Clippers, averaging 27.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He remains their most reliable player on both ends of the floor and will need to provide even more as the Clippers will likely be without Nicolas Batum and potentially also without Terance Mann. George has a favorable matchup against the Grizzlies, who do not have an ideal wing defender and are giving up an average of 113.5 points per game, which is second most in the league.
Forwards/Centers
Jimmy Butler ($9,500)
Butler will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back, after coming off an impressive showing, where he totaled 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a home win against the Pelicans. The Heat will be at home again as they host the Wizards, which should provide a competitive contest, where Butler finds the advantage at his position and has plenty of opportunity to lead the way again. Butler's ability to impact the game on the defensive end allows him to pick up extra value with an average of 2.1 steals per game.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,500)
Towns goes up against the Spurs, who are without their starting center and generally not a big team, which should allow him an advantage in the paint. Towns is averaging 23.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, as he leads the Timberwolves at both ends of the floor.
Rudy Gobert ($8,000)
Gobert and the Jazz play host to the Raptors, who do not have a true center in their starting lineup to match up with the All-Star big man. Gobert should find an advantage in the paint against smaller opponents and be able to rack up a hefty double-double with a couple steals and blocks to boost his DK totals.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Jokic ($12,000)
Jokic continues to be the man for his team, leading the Nuggets with 26.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. His ability to score, rebound and facilitate at such a high level makes him a solid bet on just about any night. He should have an opportunity for another big performance considering the Nuggets are playing host to a shorthanded 76ers team, who are without their all-star center, Joel Embiid. As a result, Jokic will be matched up against Andre Drummond, who is a solid presence in the paint but will have a tough time keeping up with his creativity on the offensive end.
Value Picks
Raul Neto ($3,200)
With Spencer Dinwiddie expected to rest on the second night of a back-to-back, the Wizards will likely look to Neto to jump into the starting role. Neto is averaging 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 21 minutes per game, but he should put up more significant numbers given the extra playing time.
Austin Rivers ($3,300)
Rivers picked up the start in place of the injured Will Barton in the Nuggets' most recent contest and finished with 12 points, three rebounds and a steal in 29 minutes of action. With Barton doubtful to play again, he should have an opportunity to build off his last outing and come up with good value compared to his very low cost. Rivers is a streaky shooter from distance and could easily end up catching fire.
Luke Kennard ($4,400)
Kennard is expected to start if Nicolas Batum (Achilles) remains sidelined, which would instantly provide him an opportunity to produce tremendous value. The Clippers are going up against the Grizzlies, who are giving up 113.5 points per game, while allowing opponents to shoot an average of 39.4 percent from deep, which is where Kennard can excel.
Jeff Green ($3,800)
Green will continue to see a major role in the absence of Michael Porter, which gives him a ton of opportunity to provide good returns for his low price tag. He has not come up with any major outbursts lately, but going up against a shorthanded opponent should be advantageous.
Steven Adams ($4,600)
Adams comes in cheap for a starting center of his caliber. Albeit he has had a quiet start to the season, he has put up some big numbers recently and has excellent potential for a big night. In what should be a high-scoring bout, Adams should find an advantage going up against a thin Clippers' frontcourt.
