This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
NYK vs. BKN (-6.5), O/U: 216
MEM vs. TOR (-4.5), O/U:
GSW vs. PHX (-2), O/U: 220
DET vs. POR (-9.5), O/U: 217
LAL (-4.5) vs. SAC, O/U:
The Warriors-Suns matchup provides everything needed to put together a great lineup, beginning with what should be a high-scoring and competitive contest, as the Warriors will put their seven-game win streak up against the Suns' 16-game win streak. Stephen Curry highlights the contest with a price tag of $11,400, as he has been on a tear lately, putting up some hefty DK-point totals. Meanwhile, Devin Booker and Chris Paul are modestly priced for their ability to come up with big totals.
In the mid-tier price range, look to Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges of the Suns, along with Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green of the Warriors for reliable output, with higher upside than risk.
In the value range, JaVale McGee, Jae Crowder, Cameron Johnson and Cameron Payne are all solid options from the Suns. On the Warriors' side, Gary Payton, Otto Porter and Juan Toscano-Anderson should all be seeing an uptick in playing time due to injuries in the rotation.
Injuries to Monitor
RJ Barrett (illness), Derrick Rose (ankle), Nerlens Noel (knee), Taj Gibson (groin): Questionable
Obi Toppin is a prime candidate to pick up extra playing time in the case of Barrett, Gibson or Noel being sidelined. Meanwhile, in the absence of Rose, Immanuel Quickley would likely see the biggest boost in value.
Joe Harris (ankle): OUT
Without Harris, Patty Mills and DeAndre' Bembry will likely maintain their positions in the Nets' starting lineup, while Bruce Brown plays a key role off the bench.
Ziaire Williams (knee): Questionable
Ja Morant (knee): OUT
Without Morant, Tyus Jones should get the start, while De'Anthony Melton picks up an increase in playing time off the bench. John Konchar could also see some extra playing time, especially if Williams is out.
Gary Trent (calf): Questionable
OG Anunoby (hip), Khem Birch (knee): OUT
Without Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa will continue to start for the Raptors, while Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes fill in the forward positions. Chris Boucher should also see a boost off the bench, as Birch is sidelined as well. Additionally, if Gary Trent is out, then Svi Mykhailiuk will likely pick up the start, while Malachi Flynn and Dalano Banton would be expected to see a few extra minutes.
Andre Iguodala (knee), Damion Lee (personal): OUT
In the absence of Iguodala, the Warriors will look to Juan Toscano-Anderson and Otto Porter to step up off the bench. Gary Payton will also see a boost in action with Lee sidelined.
Frank Kaminsky (knee): OUT
Without Kaminsky, JaVale McGee will continue to see a boost in value, as the Suns' only big man coming off the bench. Cameron Johnson should also pick up a boost in playing time.
Norman Powell (quadriceps): Questionable
Tony Snell picked up the start in place of Powell in the Trail Blazers' most recent contest, but he finished just 2.8 DK points in 10 minutes of action. On the other hand, Nassir Little is likely to see a boost in value and would be a more reliable pick, regardless of who gets the start.
Avery Bradley (hand), LeBron James (abdomen) Questionable
If James is out, then look for more production from Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis, as they will need to lead the way. Talen Horton-Tucker would also likely see a boost in value, in the case of James or Bradley being sidelined. Malik Monk is another player who would pick up a boost in the absence of Bradley.
Harrison Barnes (foot), Maurice Harkless (knee), Richaun Holmes (illness): Questionable
Without either Barnes or Harkless, Buddy Hield is in line for an increase in playing time. Marvin Bagley could also see a boost without Harkless or Holmes in the lineup. Finally, Tristan Thompson would likely see his role increase if Holmes is out.
Elite Players
Guards
Damian Lillard ($9,700)
Lillard and the Trail Blazers host the Pistons, who are allowing opponents to shoot a league-high average of 47.9 percent from the field. Lillard has topped 55 DK points in two of his last four outings and should find an advantageous situation against the Pistons' younger backcourt.
Fred VanVleet ($8,700)
VanVleet has been playing great lately, topping 42 DK points in his last three games, and coming off a 27-point outing in the Raptors' last contest. The Raptors are playing host to the Grizzlies, who are without Ja Morant, which leaves VanVleet with a much more favorable matchup at his position.
Forwards/Centers
Kevin Durant ($11,100)
Durant accounted for 70.3 DK points in his last outing, as he continues to do it all for the Nets. His ability to fill the stat sheet in every category contributes to his reliability as a solid pick and also increases the chances of a massive total. He will be up against the Knicks, which will be a tough contest, but it should bring the best out of the superstar.
Anthony Davis ($10,600)
Davis and the Lakers are playing in Sacramento, which should be a high-scoring contest. Davis has topped 50 DK points in his last two outings, and he hit 70 DK points on November 21st, in Detroit. He should be able to come through with another big night as he goes up against an opponent that is giving up an average of 113.1 points per game.
Julius Randle ($9,400)
Randle will have a tough matchup against Kevin Durant and the Nets. He is coming off two outings where he did not top 30 DK points, but prior to that, he averaged 48 DK points over three games. The Nets are not as big as many teams, which should give Randle somewhat of an advantage on the glass. The Nets are giving up an average of 46.9 rebounds per game, which is among the most in the league.
Expected Chalk
Stephen Curry ($11,400)
Curry is coming off a massive outing, where he totaled 33 points, five rebounds, six assists and six steals in a win over the Clippers. He has topped 60 DK points in four of his last 10 games, including one night where he generated 88.8 DK points. With Damion Lee and Andre Iguodala both sidelined, the Warriors will have a thinner backcourt rotation, which might also cause Curry to play a few extra minutes. The Warriors have a matchup against the Suns in Phoenix, as both teams put their impressive winning streaks on the line. It should be a highly competitive contest that keeps Curry fully engaged and pushes him to a big performance.
Value Picks
Immanuel Quickley ($4,800)
Quickley has been paying well lately, averaging 12.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists, in 23 minutes per game over the last 10 games. He has topped 20 DK points in six of those contests, including one outburst for 32.8 DK points. Quickley should also see a boost in his role, as Kemba Walker moves down in the rotation.
Evan Fournier ($4,900)
Fournier has topped 25 DK points in three of his last five outings, including a total of 36 DK points on November 23rd. He is averaging 29 minutes per game and is a streaky player that can go off to help lead the team in scoring, which was exemplified by a 20-point night in the Knicks' most recent contest. Additionally, Fournier should find an advantage matched up against the smaller Patty Mills of the Nets.
Nassir Little ($3,500)
With Norman Powell sidelined, Little should see a boost in his role and have the opportunity to put up good numbers, as the Trail Blazers play host to the Pistons. Little is has topped 23 DK points in two of his last three games.
Jae Crowder ($3,900)
Crowder is playing 28 minutes per game for the Suns and is a key part of their success, as he can influence the game in many ways. He has topped 15 DK points in all but two of his last 10 games, and topped 19 DK points in six of those games.
JaVale McGee ($4,200)
McGee has been playing great, averaging 10.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, in 16 minutes per game, over the last 10 games. He will be up against his former team, as the Suns play host to the Warriors, which might provide him some extra motivation. Nonetheless, he will remain a key part of the Suns' bench rotation without Kaminsky and should find plenty of opportunity in what is expected to be a completive contest.
