This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
GSW (-3) vs. BKN, O/U:
PHI vs. UTA (-8.5), O/U:
SAS vs. LAC (-6.5), O/U: 219.5
Look to the Warriors-Nets game for high-tier stars mixed with good value options. Kevin Durant and James Harden should both be able to put up big numbers, while guys like DeAndre' Bembry, Bruce Brown and Patty Mills will all likely see extended minutes due to injuries in Brooklyn's rotation. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry should also find an opportunity to keep up his strong play, while Kevon Looney, Nemanja Bjelica and Gary Payton can fill in on the value end for the Warriors.
Injuries to Monitor
Joe Harris (ankle), Nicolas Claxton (illness), Paul Millsap (personal): OUT
Without Harris, the Nets will likely look to DeAndre' Bembry to jump in the starting lineup, while Patty Mills will see more of a role off the bench. Meanwhile, LaMarcus Aldridge will be the go-to big man coming off the bench and will see even more responsibility with both Claxton and Millsap sidelined.
Joel Embiid (COVID-19), Matisse Thybulle (COVID-19), Danny Green (hamstring): OUT
Andre Drummond will continue to get the start in place of Embiid, but also look for Tobias Harris to see a more significant role on the offensive end. With Thybulle and Green sidelined, guys like Georges Niang, Shake Milton and Furkan Korkmaz will see extra playing time.
Jakob Poeltl (COVID-19): OUT
in the absence of Poeltl, Drew Eubanks will maintain the starting center role, where he is playing around 22 minutes per game and averaging 10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds. 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks. Thaddeus Young has also seen a boost in his role off the bench.
Terance Mann (ankle): Questionable
If Mann is sidelined, Luke Kennard and Isaiah Hartenstein should both see a boost in minutes off the bench.
Elite Players
Guards
Stephen Curry ($10,900)
Curry has been playing great lately, including a 40-point and a 50-point game among his last four outings. He is averaging 28.1 points per game, leading the highest-scoring offense in the league. Curry goes up against the Nets in what should be a high-scoring bout.
Donovan Mitchell ($8,600)
Mitchell and the Jazz play host to the undermanned Sixers, who are missing a couple of key wing defenders in Matisse Thybulle and Danny Green. That should open up some room for the Jazz' All-Star to operate. Mitchell is averaging 25.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Forwards/Centers
Andre Drummond ($8,700)
Drummond has been seeing about 33 minutes per game in the absence of Joel Embiid, and he is averaging 11.5 points, 18.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 blocks over that span. Drummond will have a tough matchup against Rudy Gobert, but it should keep him in the game, battling for rebounds and scooping up a couple steals and blocks to boost his totals.
Tobias Harris ($8,500)
Harris is the go-to offensive option for the Sixers with Embiid out of the lineup. He should find an advantage lined up against the smaller Royce O'Neale, which would mean a few more opportunities to rebound and finish around the basket while his frontcourt mate Drummond keeps Gobert busy.
Rudy Gobert ($7,700)
Gobert has no easy task going up against Drummond. However, he is an essential part of the Jazz's game plan, which keeps him involved at both ends of the floor. Gobert is averaging 14.9 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 steals per game.
Expected Chalk
Kevin Durant ($10,300)
Durant will certainly be looking to make a statement at home against his former team. The star forward will have an advantage against the Warriors' defenders, whether it be Draymond Green, who will have trouble keeping up with him, or Andrew Wiggins, who will be giving up size and strength. Durant has been a major contributor on both ends of the floor, averaging 29.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, and with Joe Harris out of the lineup, he will likely see a few more shot opportunities as the Nets will have to make up for the lost perimeter shooting.
Value Picks
Devin Vassell ($4,700)
Vassell has earned a major role in the Spurs' rotation, seeing 26.4 minutes per game, and he has been playing especially well lately, averaging 18.0 points on 59 percent shooting over the last three games.
Georges Niang ($4,100)
Niang will continue to see a a greater role with Matisse Thybulle and Joel Embiid out of the lineup, as it leaves him as the Sixers' go-to big man coming off the bench. With Danny Green sidelined as well, Niang could see another boost in his usage as the rotation tightens up.
Patty Mills ($3,800)
Mills is coming off an impressive 29-point outburst in his most recent contest. He will have plenty of opportunity to pick up where he left off as the Nets are missing some of their depth, which will require more out of Mills off the bench. He should also benefit from a fast-paced contest against the Warriors.
Isaiah Hartenstein ($3,500)
Hartenstein has been playing well for the Clippers, averaging 9.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 17 minutes per game over his last six games. However, he should see an increased role in the absence of Terance Mann, who has been a key figure off the bench.
DeAndre' Bembry ($3,200)
Bembry is expected to get the start in place of Joe Harris and will continue to see extra minutes as the Nets deal with multiple injuries. Bembry's ability to rebound and defend should help ensure he achieves good value in extended playing time.
