This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
TOR vs. BKN (8.5), O/U:
GSW (-4) vs. NYK, O/U:
PHX (-2.5) vs. POR, O/U:
Look to the Warriors-Knicks matchup as a focal point for a strong lineup.
Stephen Curry is the obvious cornerstone to build around, while Julius Randle is going up against a tough defense, but should still be able to produce solid totals.
Draymond Green is an ideal mid-priced pick, as he so often outplays his salary by impacting the game across the stat sheet. Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole are key pieces in the Warriors' offense and can also come up big for their modest price tags. Meanwhile, Alec Burks and Derrick Rose are good high-usage, mid-range picks on the Knicks' side.
Finally, with RJ Barrett sidelined, Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes should see some extra action off the bench for the Knicks and make for good value picks. On the other hand, Otto Porter and Juan Toscano-Anderson continue to see consistent action off the bench for the Warriors.
Injuries to Monitor
Precious Achiuwa (COVID-19), OG Anunoby (hip), Khem Birch (knee): OUT
Chris Boucher should pick up another start, while Svi Mykhailiuk and Yuta Watanabe are in line for some extra playing time off the bench.
Paul Millsap (COVID-19): OUT
Without Millsap, the Nets will need more from guys like James Johnson and Nicolas Claxton coming off the bench to fill minutes in the frontcourt.
RJ Barrett (COVID-19), Obi Toppin (COVID-19): OUT
Immanuel Quickley and Derrick Rose should see some extra responsibility with Barrett out. Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel will each likely pick up a slight boost in the absence of Toppin.
Devin Booker (hamstring), Deandre Ayton (illness): Questionable
JaVale McGee has been starting in the absence of Ayton, while Landry Shamet has assumed the starting role in Booker's absence. Both will see big minutes, while Cameron Johnson would also be in line for a boost, if the two stars remain sidelined.
CJ McCollum (chest): OUT
Without McCollum, Nassir Little should pick up another start while Norman Powell will also see an increase in usage.
Elite Players
Guards
Chris Paul ($8,400)
Paul has a tough matchup against Damian Lillard, but that should only motivate him to rise to the occasion. Paul has topped 35 DK points in seven of the last 10 games, and he should be able to do it again, as he has the benefit of going up against the Trail Blazers' defense that is allowing an average of 111.2 points per game.
Fred VanVleet ($8,600)
VanVleet has topped 40 DK points in six of the last 10 games and is a key part of the Raptors' offense in terms of scoring and distributing the ball. VanVleet has a tough matchup against the Nets; however, defense in the backcourt is not their strong suit, which should motivate the Raptors' point guard to help lead the way for his team.
Forwards/Centers
Kevin Durant ($11,600)
Durant continues to lead the way for the Nets on both ends of the floor and is coming off a 51-point performance in their most recent contest. He has topped 50 DK points in six of his last 10 games and should find ample opportunity against the Raptors' short-handed frontcourt.
Julius Randle ($9,200)
Randle will have a tough matchup against the Warriors, but his size and strength should allow him to find opportunities against their smaller frontcourt. Randle has topped 35 DK points in seven of the last 10 games, including three contests where he topped 49 DK points.
Pascal Siakam ($8,300)
Siakam has topped 35 DK points in eight of the last 10 games. The Raptors remain thin in the frontcourt, which means Siakam should see some increased playing time and touches, as they will need more out of him to compete against the top-tier Nets.
Expected Chalk
Stephen Curry ($11,500)
Curry is averaging 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals, over the last 10 games, and he has topped 49 DK points five times over that span. He has a matchup against the Knicks, who are shorthanded in the backcourt, which means one less quality defender to go up against. The Knicks do not do a great job of defending the perimeter. They are giving up an average of 13.3 three-pointers per game, while allowing opponents to shoot an average of 35.3 percent from deep, which should benefit Curry's playing style and help him find his rhythm on the road, in New York.
Value Picks
Immanuel Quickley ($4,600)
The Knicks will be without RJ Barrett, which should result in a boost for Quickley coming off the bench. Quickley has been strong on a regular basis, as he has topped 22 DK points in eight of the last 10 games.
DeAndre' Bembry ($3,500)
Bembry has started in the last 11 games for the Nets, and he is averaging 7.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists, over that span. He has topped 20 DK points four times in the 11 games, including two instances where he topped 30 DK points.
Yuta Watanabe ($3,600)
Yuta Watanabe is coming off an impressive outing in the Raptors' most recent contest, where he logged 12 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a steal, in 25 minutes of action. He should have the chance to pick up added playing time once again, as the Raptors have multiple frontcourt players remaining sidelined.
Chris Boucher ($4,800)
As the Raptors continue to deal with multiple injuries in their frontcourt, Boucher is expected to pick up a fourth consecutive start. Boucher has topped 20 DK points in the last four contests and will have a good opportunity to do it again while seeing extended playing time.
Larry Nance ($4,300)
Nance got a promotion into the Trail Blazers' starting lineup in their most recent contest, where he totaled 29 DK points in 26 minutes of action. He is expected to pick up the start again and should be able to return some good value in the boosted role.
