This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MEM vs. CLE (-3), O/U:
SAS vs. TOR (-5.5), O/U:
IND vs. NYK (-1.5), O/U:
PHX (-7) vs. NOP, O/U:
SAC vs. LAL (-7), O/U:
The Grizzlies-Cavs matchup is expected be a competitive contest that can provide the foundation for a strong lineup.
Ja Morant has been playing great lately and should be able to keep it up against a short-handed Cavs backcourt. Desmond Bane and Steven Adams have also been playing well for Memphis and come in with reasonable, mid-range price tags. Guys like Tyus Jones and Brandon Clarke will pick up some extra playing time for the Grizzlies, and stand out as solid value picks.
On the Cavs' side, the frontcourt is where to focus with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, who have both been playing well. Kevin Love has also been putting up some big numbers lately, with 59.3 DK points in a recent outing. Lamar Stevens is expected to start and provides a good value opportunity.
Injuries to Monitor
John Konchar (COVID-19): Questionable
Dillon Brooks (COVID-19), De'Anthony Melton (COVID-19), Kyle Anderson (COVID-19), Xavier Tillman: OUT
Tyus Jones, Brandon Clarke and Killian Tillie will be up for big minutes.
Darius Garland (COVID-19), Cedi Osman (COVID-19): Questionable
Isaac Okoro (elbow), Ricky Rubio (knee): OUT
Lamar Stevens and Dean Wade are in line for a boost.
Keita Bates-Diop (hamstring): Questionable
Dejounte Murray (COVID-19), Lonnie Walker (COVID-19), Doug McDermott (COVID-19): OUT
Devin Vassell and Tre Jones will get more playing time.
Jeremy Lamb (COVID-19): Questionable
Malcolm Brogdon (achilles), Chris Duarte (COVID-19), Caris LeVert (COVID-19), T.J. McConnell (wrist): OUT
Keifer Sykes and Duane Washington are up for big minutes in the backcourt.
Mitchell Robinson (COVID-19): Questionable
Derrick Rose (ankle), Julius Randle (COVID-19), Nerlens Noel (COVID-19), Kemba Walker (knee): OUT
Miles McBride picked up the start at point guard in the Knicks' last contest.
Deandre Ayton (COVID-19), Jae Crowder (COVID-19), Frank Kaminsky (knee), JaVale McGee (COVID-19): OUT
Cameron Johnson will continue to see extra minutes. Jalen Smith will pick up a major role in the frontcourt.
Terence Davis (ankle): Questionable
Richaun Holmes (COVID-19): OUT
Damian Jones is up for another start with Holmes sidelined.
Anthony Davis (knee): OUT
Dwight Howard will pick up extra minutes in the frontcourt, while LeBron James and Russell Westbrook will have to step up to lead the way.
Elite Players
Guards
Russell Westbrook ($10,200)
Westbrook has logged a triple-double in four of the last five games. He needs to continue to step up to help lead the Lakers, as Anthony Davis remains sidelined. Westbrook and the Lakers have a favorable matchup against the Kings, who are giving up the third-most points per game.
Devin Booker ($8,800)
Booker continues his great play, averaging 24.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals over eight games since returning from a two-week absence. Booker and the Suns go up against the Pelicans, who are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 46.9 percent from the field, which is third highest in the league.
Forwards/Centers
LeBron James ($11,400)
James has been putting up monster numbers lately, as he has topped 60 DK points in six of the last eight games. He will need to continue to come up big to lead the Lakers, and he should find an advantage against the Kings' subpar defense.
Domantas Sabonis ($9,900)
Sabonis will see an advantage against the Knicks' frontcourt. The Pacers' big man has topped 50 DK points in the last three games, and he is averaging 20.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists over the last 10 games.
Jonas Valanciunas ($9,300)
The Pelicans will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back, after they suffered a home loss against the Jazz on Monday night. Valanciunas accounted for 25 points, nine rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes of action during the contest. The big man will have another opportunity for a big night, as the Pelicans go up against the Suns and their weak frontcourt.
Expected Chalk
Ja Morant ($9,700)
The Grizzlies are on the second night of a back-to-back after an impressive win in Brooklyn on Monday. Morant logged 36 points, six rebounds and eight assists in the contest, and he will need to continue to come up huge to lead his squad. Morant has topped 50 DK points in the last three games.
Value Picks
Tre Jones ($3,800)
Jones is expected to pick up another start for the Spurs. He logged 27.8 DK points in the Spurs' last contest.
Justin Holiday ($4,900)
Holiday should pick up extra playing time without Malcolm Brogdon, Chris Duarte, Caris LeVert and T.J. McConnell in the lineup for the Pacers.
Devin Vassell ($4,400)
Vassell will see a boost in playing time, as the Spurs are missing Doug McDermott, Dejounte Murray and Lonnie Walker. Vassell collected 38 DK points in the Spurs' last game.
Jalen Smith ($5,500)
Smith will continue to see big minutes as the Suns' are missing key frontcourt players. Smith generated 39 DK points in the Suns' last contest.
Damian Jones ($4,000)
Jones will pick up added responsibility in the Kings' short-handed frontcourt. Jones totaled 35.5 DK points in the Kings' last outing.
