This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
DEN vs. BOS (-3.5), O/U: 221.5
NO vs. MEM (-1), O/U: 230
LAL (-7.5) vs. MIN, O/U: 223.5
POR (-7.5) vs. OKC, O/U: 225.5
TOR vs. MIL (-5.5), O/U: 235
BKN vs. PHX (-3.5), O/U: 231.5
Tuesday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and includes six games. Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant are out. The Thunder and Nuggets will be short-handed as both teams are dealing with multiple absences. Tonight's slate shouldn't be as chaotic as Monday's, but you just never know with the way this NBA season has gone. As always, pay attention to news throughout the day, as we've seen the chalky value plays change multiple times on recent slates.
The DEN-BOS matchup is an appealing target as the Nuggets will be without Will Barton, Paul Millsap, Gary Harris, PJ Dozier and possibly Monte Morris. Nikola Jokic will be a popular spend-up option, while JaMychal Green is likely to be a chalky value play. Kemba Walker is an affordable option from the Boston side but any of their big three make for viable run-backs. You can make credible arguments for targeting all six games tonight and when that's the case, I prefer to fade the popular ones. The Nets will be without Kevin Durant again, meaning James Harden and Kyrie Irving will be popular. Tonight's matchup against the Suns presents a relatively difficult defensive test though, especially for the back court, as Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges are all plus defenders.
Injuries to Monitor
Anthony Davis (calf): OUT
Davis will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks after undergoing an MRI on Monday. Kyle Kuzma ($7,000), Montrezl Harrell ($6,200), Talen Horton-Tucker ($3,800) and Markieff Morris ($3,400) should see increased run in his absence.
Kevin Durant (hamstring): OUT
Durant will miss his second consecutive game with a mild hamstring strain. Bruce Brown ($4,600) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot ($3,900) should see expanded roles.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee), Theo Maledon (COVID-19), George Hill (thumb): OUT
The Thunder will be short-handed again. Kenrich Williams ($5,300), Luguentz Dort ($5,400) and Justin Jackson ($4,700) all started last time out. Hamidou Diallo ($6,700) will continue to have an expanded role as well.
Jrue Holiday (COVID-19): OUT
Holiday is still out due to the league's health and safety protocols. Donte DiVincenzo ($5,400) and Bryn Forbes ($3,800) have been starting at guard.
D'Angelo Russell (leg): OUT
Russell will miss his fourth consecutive game. Ricky Rubio ($5,900) will continue to start at point guard.
Will Barton (personal): OUT
A personal matter will keep Barton out for a second straight game. Michael Porter ($5,800) will likely start at small forward.
Paul Millsap (knee): OUT
Millsap sprained his knee Sunday and will miss at least tonight's game. JaMychal Green ($4,300) will likely start at power forward.
Monte Morris (shoulder): QUESTIONABLE
The Nuggets could be significantly undermanned at guard as Morris is listed as questionable while Gary Harris and PJ Dozier are still out. R.J. Hampton ($3,400) and Facundo Campazzo ($3,300) would be in line for expanded roles if Morris were to sit.
Elite Players
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,000) and Nikola Jokic ($10,700) are the elite center options on the slate. Giannis has played at least 36 minutes in three consecutive games while topping 65 DK points in each. He's in another good spot in what should be a competitive and up-tempo matchup against Toronto. Jokic continues to be a model of consistency as his near 60 FPPG average is tops in the league by a significant margin. The Nuggets will be significantly short-handed and Jokic will get all the usage he can handle. I'll have interest in both guys tonight and its likely that every lineup I make will have at least one of them.
If you don't want to spend all the way up, Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,300) is still relatively affordable and he's seen his minutes increase in three consecutive games since returning from an extended COVID-19 absence.
James Harden ($10,800) is coming off a massive triple-double Monday that saw him put up 72.25 DK points. The Nets will be without Durant again and Harden will be a popular option as a result. On paper, the matchup against the Suns is tougher than what he's faced recently, but we know Harden can hit a ceiling on any given night. Damian Lillard ($9,700) and Kyrie Irving ($9,100) round out the elite options at guard. Lillard has a favorable matchup against a depleted Thunder team. Kyrie is coming off 56 DK points in just 31 minutes Monday. Both guys are viable options if you don't want to spend all the way up, but I prefer Kyrie in this spot as a logical pivot off Harden.
LeBron James ($10,100) stands out amongst the forwards. The Lakers will be without AD for a favorable matchup against a bad Minnesota defense. With Davis out, LeBron will be expected to carry more of the offensive load and it should increase his triple-double upside as well.
Expected Chalk
JaMychal Green ($4,300)
The Nuggets will be without Will Barton and Paul Millsap tonight. Green should get the start at power forward and see plenty of minutes. He's among the best value on the slate and I'd expect him to be popular in all contests.
Michael Porter ($5,800)
It's a similar case for Porter. He should get the start at small forward in the absence of Barton and see significant minutes. He's been underwhelming so far this season and isn't exactly cheap, but the matchup against the Celtics presents his best chance to produce in some time.
Value Picks
Chris Paul ($7,800)
The Suns are in a great spot in what should be a competitive and up-tempo matchup against a bad Nets defense. If you're planning on rostering Kyrie or Harden, it would make sense to run those lineups back with someone like Paul.
Al Horford ($7,000)
Horford has topped 56 DK points twice in the past five games as he continues to see all the usage he can handle for the depleted Thunder. Tonight's matchup against Enes Kanter and the Blazers is a favorable one.
Dillon Brooks ($5,500) and Grayson Allen ($4,700)
The Grizzlies will be without Desmond Bane and De'Anthony Melton. Brooks has scored at least 30 DK points in three of the past four games while Allen has seen at least 30 minutes in three straight. Both are reasonably affordable and in a good spot against the Pelicans.
Kenrich Williams ($5,300) and Justin Jackson ($4,700)
Williams and Jackson will be the primary ball handlers again for the Thunder. Jackson got the start last time out and put up 36 DK points in 34 minutes. Williams has seen at least 34 minutes in three consecutive games and has eclipsed 35 DK points twice in that span.
DeAndre Jordan ($4,500)
Jordan has played at least 27 minutes in three of the past four games while scoring at least 24 DK points in each of them. The Nets will be without KD again and Jordan will presumably see plenty of run dealing with Deandre Ayton.
