This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
The vast number of injuries on this slate makes for some fascinating teams to follow, as we're going to take advantage of most of those here. There are two teams we really want to exploit because of injuries: the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers.
Both Kyrie Irving (hip) and Victor Oladipo (knee) are out for this slate and that leaves about 35 minutes, 15-20 shots and close to a 30 percent usage rate on the table for each of these teams. Minnesota is also banged up, with a trio of guards still nursing foot and ankle injuries. That should once again set the table for rookies Josh Okogie and veteran Jerryd Bayless to see increased minutes.
Guards
Reggie Jackson, DET at NYK ($5,500): Jackson has had his ups and downs, but he has at least 29 fantasy points in six of his last games while averaging 35 DK points per game in that span. Those numbers look even better when you consider Tuesday's matchup, with New York allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season. Jackson was stellar is his one matchup against the Knicks earlier this season, dropping 34 fantasy points in just 27 minutes.
Jerryd Bayless, MIN at MEM ($5,400): Minnesota is currently without three point guards, which has enabled Bayless to re-establish himself as a productive option. The veteran has started four straight games, averaging 39 minutes per contest in that span. Over his last six games, Bayless has notched at least 32 DK points, and he's averaging 37 fantasy points per game in that span. While Memphis has traditionally been a great defense, the Grizzlies currently own a 22nd OPRK against point guards.
Jaylen Brown, BOS at CLE ($4,900): Brown has been the biggest beneficiary with Irving out of the lineup, as he's taken on a huge load in games Irving has missed. With Irving out, Brown ranks second on the team with a 25 percent usage rate while averaging 15 shots and close to 30 minutes per game. The fantasy production is even better, as he has at least 31 fantasy points in six of the seven games sans-Irving. Cleveland is a strong matchup for Brown, as well, as the Cavs allow the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.
Tyreke Evans, IND vs. LAL ($4,200): It's easy to understand why Evans is priced at just $4,200 when looking at his season-long numbers but there's reason to believe he can improve. The Oladipo injury is, of course, the biggest factor, as Evans leads the Pacers with a 29 percent usage rate with him off the floor. Evans is also providing 1.02 DK points per minute with Oladipo out, as that alone could get him to 5X value if he plays just 20 minutes. Not to mention, Los Angeles owns a 29th OPRK against opposing shooting guards this season.
Forwards
Jayson Tatum, BOS at CLE ($5,800): Tatum is another major component of our Boston stack, as he's posting a 24.2 percent usage rate with Irving off the floor. He's been the best player in games without Irving, and he's leading the team in minutes while averaging 33 DraftKings points per game. That's all you can ask for from a player south of $6,000 -- plus, he faces a Cavaliers defense that allows the most fantasy points in the league to opposing small forwards.
Marcus Morris, BOS at CLE ($5,400): While Tatum plays more minutes, Morris actually leads the team in usage with Irving off the floor. His fantasy production has been stellar, as he's scored at least 27 fantasy points in five of the seven games he's played without Irving. That production is indicative of a player north of $6,000, so we're getting a bargain here at $5,400. Not to mention, Cleveland ranks dead-last in defensive efficiency.
Centers
Blake Griffin, DET at NYK ($8,800): The Knicks are in a tailspin right now and are allowing an absurd 78 DraftKings points per game to opposing PF's, in addition to owning a 30th OPRK according to DK. Griffin dropped 41 fantasy points the time he faced the Knicks, but that's actually below his season average. Griffin is currently averaging 47 fantasy points per game on the year, and that number jumps up to 50 DK points across his last 10 games.
Myles Turner, IND vs. LAL ($6,500): After an inconsistent start to the season, Turner has found some consistency of late. In fact, Turner has at least 32 fantasy points in 16 of his last 20 games, and he's only had one dud in that span. The main reason for that is the Oladipo injury, as Turner is posting a 22 percent usage rate with the All-Star off the floor and averaging 1.14 DK points per minute.
