This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
NOP at DET (-2), O/U:
WAS at MIL (-11.5), O/U:
MIA at TOR (-2), O/U:
ORL at CHI (-10.5), O/U:
DEN at MIN (-3), O/U:
GSW (-3.5) at SAS, O/U:
BKN at PHX (-7.5), O/U:
The last time the Raptors and Heat faced off, the contest went to triple overtime and resulted in major production from players on both sides.
Jimmy Butler is questionable for action but would make great pick if he is ready to play. Keep an eye on the status of Kyle Lowry, who could make his return from a two-week absence, and as a result, would come at a bargain. Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Max Strus also make solid picks from the Heat. If Butler is out, look for Caleb Martin to also pick up a boost. If Lowry is out, Gabe Vincent will continue to start and makes for a reasonably priced option at point guard.
On the Raptors' side, the entire starting five, including Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam all come with very reasonable price tags and should be able to keep up their strong play. Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa will continue to see good minutes off the bench and make for solid value picks.
Injuries to Monitor
NOP - Brandon Ingram (ankle): Questionable
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Garrett Temple are up for a boost if Ingram remains sidelined.
DET - Josh Jackson (back): Questionable
Frank Jackson and Rodney McGruder will play bigger roles off the bench.
WAS - Bradley Beal (wrist): OUT
Deni Avdija is expected to start in place of Beal. Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma will have to step up on offense.
MIL - George Hill (neck): OUT
Pat Connaughton and Donte DiVincenzo will pick up extra minutes in the backcourt.
MIA - Jimmy Butler (ankle), P.J. Tucker (knee), Kyle Lowry (personal): Questionable
Omer Yurtseven (COVID-19): OUT
Gabe Vincent will continue to start if Lowry is out. Max Strus, Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin will get a boost if Butler is out. Dewayne Dedmon will also pick up extra minutes in the absence of Yurtseven and possible Tucker.
CHI - Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist), Derrick Jones (finger): OUT
Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White will continue to see major roles in the backcourt. Javonte Green and Troy Brown will also get more minutes.
DEN - Nikola Jokic (toe), DeMarcus Cousins (foot): Questionable
Zeke Nnaji and JaMychal Green will be up for a boost if Jokic and/or Cousins are out.
MIN- Patrick Beverley (ankle), D'Angelo Russell (lower leg), Josh Okogie (quadriceps): Questionable
Malik Beasley and Jaylen Nowell will see more opportunity if Beverley and/or Russell are out.
GSW - Nemanja Bjelica (back), Otto Porter (foot): Questionable
Draymond Green (back), Andre Iguodala (hip): OUT
Jonathan Kuminga will continue to see a boost in playing time.
BKN - James Harden (hand): Questionable
LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle), Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle): OUT
Kessler Edwards will continue to start in place of Durant, while Blake Griffin will have to step up with Aldridge sidelined. Patty Mills will get a boost if Harden is out.
PHX - Deandre Ayton (ankle), Jae Crowder (wrist), Cameron Payne (wrist), Landry Shamet (ankle): OUT
Cameron Johnson and Bismack Biyombo will continue to start. Elfrid Payton is up for additional playing time.
Elite Players
Guards
Chris Paul ($9,700)
Paul has topped 60 DK points in each of the last two games, and he topped 50 DK points in five of the last six games. Paul will have to continue to step up for the Suns, who have home-court advantage against the Nets.
Cade Cunningham ($8,100)
Cunningham topped 59 DK points in two of the last three games. The rookie has been finding his groove lately, averaging 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals over the last seven games. Cunningham has home-court advantage against the struggling Pelicans, who are playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Forwards/Centers
Zach LaVine ($8,800)
LaVine is averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.0 steals over four games since returning from a week-long absence. Going up against the Magic, he will have a greater advantage at his position relative to his teammates, which means he has an opportunity to lead the way for the Bulls.
Pascal Siakam ($9,000)
Siakam continues to play at a high level, averaging 22.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.1 steals over the last 10 games. He topped 40 DK points seven times over that span, including four contests in which he topped 50 DK points.
Nikola Vucevic ($9,300)
Vucevic has to come up big for the undersized Bulls, as they go up against his former Magic squad and their frontcourt duo of Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter. Vucevic has been playing well lately, averaging 19.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 blocks over the last 10 games. He's averaging 14.0 points and 12.7 rebounds through three games against the Magic this season.
Expected Chalk
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,000)
Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 blocks over his last 10 games, and he topped 60 DK points four times over that span. He has an advantage in his matchup as the Bucks play host to the Wizards, who are giving up an average of 110.1 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 45.5 percent from the field.
Value Picks
Cory Joseph ($4,400)
Joseph continues to start for the Pistons, and he is averaging 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists over the last 10 games. He has an advantageous matchup as the Pistons play host to the Pelicans, who are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 46.7 percent from the field, which is sixth worst in the league.
Grayson Allen ($4,400)
Allen maintains a starting role for the Bucks and is averaging 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals over his last 10 games. He topped 18 DK points in six of the last 10 games.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,200)
Caldwell-Pope has the opportunity to step up on offense, in the absence of Bradley Beal. Caldwell-Pope is averaging 11.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists over the last 10 games, and he topped 18 DK points six times over that span.
Kessler Edwards ($4,600)
Edwards will continue to start in place of Kevin Durant. Edwards has started the last 10 games, and he averaged 8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks over that span.
Nicolas Claxton ($4,100)
Claxton will be critical to the Nets' frontcourt in the absence of LaMarcus Aldridge. Claxton is averaging 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists over his last 10 outings.
