This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BKN vs. NO (-2.5), O/U: 231.5
CHA vs. NY (-5.5), O/U: 209.5
ORL vs. ATL (-12.5), O/U: 218.5
LAC (-8.5) vs. POR, O/U: 226.5
MIN vs. SAC (-3.5), O/U: 237.5
The BKN-NO matchup will be a popular target tonight and rightfully so, as both sides are in advantageous spots. Kyrie Irving will get to run the show in the absence of James Harden and Kevin Durant while the Pelicans' front court should have their way against a bad Nets defense.
The MIN-SAC matchup is the other game that stands out as it features a 237.5 total and elite spend-up options in Karl-Anthony Towns and De'Aaron Fox. As far as the rest of the slate goes, cheaper value is likely to come from Portland and Orlando, while the status of Devonte' Graham will be important to monitor as multiple Hornets would be viable if were to sit.
Injuries to Monitor
James Harden (hamstring): OUT
Harden will miss a seventh consecutive game but according to Steve Nash, he is progressing well and nearing a return. Landry Shamet got the start in his absence Sunday.
Damian Lillard (hamstring): OUT
Lillard will miss his third consecutive game due to a hamstring injury. CJ McCollum and Norman Powell have been starting in the backcourt while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson came into the lineup at small forward last time out.
Kevin Durant (thigh): OUT
Durant left Sunday's game with a bruised thigh and will miss at least tonight's game. Jeff Green will likely start at power forward in his place.
Richaun Holmes (hamstring): OUT
Holmes will miss his fourth consecutive game due to a hamstring injury. Hassan Whiteside has been starting at center in his absence.
Devonte' Graham (quad): QUESTIONABLE
Graham has missed back-to-back games with a bruised quad and is listed as questionable. Cody Martin has been starting at shooting guard in his place.
Terrence Ross (back), James Ennis (calf): OUT
Ross and Ennis will each miss their second consecutive game. Dwayne Bacon will likely get another start at small forward.
Jusuf Nurkic (rest): OUT
Nurkic will sit out tonight for injury management purposes. Enes Kanter will start at center.
Elite Players
Guard:
Kyrie Irving ($9,900)
The Nets will be without James Harden and Kevin Durant for what should be an uptempo game against the Pelicans. Irving has been inconsistent recently as frequent blowouts have limited his minutes, but tonight's matchup should be competitive and he will get all the usage he wants.
De'Aaron Fox ($9,800)
Fox continues to play at an elite level as he's now scored at least 50 DK points in four of his last five with two games over 60 in the same span. He's taken at least 20 shots in five consecutive games and the Kings have the highest implied team total on the slate.
Center:
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,600)
Towns was forced to leave Sunday's game with an apparent knee injury but isn't listed on the injury report and should be ready to go. After a string of 10 consecutive games with 50+ DK points, he's coming off back-to-back subpar performances but tonight should be a bounce-back spot. The Timberwolves' matchup against the Kings features a 237.5 total, and Towns is projected for the most raw fantasy points on the slate.
Forward:
Zion Williamson ($9,700)
Zion's salary has dropped back under 10K for a prime matchup against Nets, who especially struggle to defend opposing bigs. He's coming off 55.75 DK points last time out and has 60+ upside tonight in a game that's likely to be competitive.
Julius Randle ($10,100)
Randle has put up a whopping 64.75 and 74 DK points in back-to-back games and he's played over 40 minutes in three straight. The Knicks have a favorable matchup against the Hornets tonight and Randle makes perfect sense as a pivot off of Zion or Towns as he's both center and forward eligible.
Expected Chalk
Enes Kanter ($6,100)
Kanter will start at center tonight in place of the resting Jusuf Nurkic. While that news is good enough on its own to make him appealing, the fact that Damian Lillard is also out will make Kanter one of the more popular plays on the slate as he should be in line for a bump in usage and extended minutes.
CJ McCollum ($8,900)
McCollum will get another start at point guard in Lillard's absence. He's topped 40 DK points in back-to-back games with Lillard out and his upside is considerably higher due to a projected increase in assist rate and shot attempts. A slight bump in salary might temper his popularity some, but I'd still expect him to be among the most popular spend-up options.
Value Picks
Brandon Ingram ($8,400)
Ingram has topped 55 DK points in two of his last four games, his salary dropped slightly and the Pelicans are in a great spot against the Nets.
Terry Rozier ($8,000)
Rozier has put up at least 50 DK points in three consecutive games and is coming off a whopping 69 last time out. He's been carrying the short-handed Hornets and if Devonte' Graham is out again he would be especially appealing, even in a matchup against the Knicks.
P.J. Washington ($5,400)
Washington is coming off 45 DK points in 34 minutes off the bench Sunday. If he re-enters the starting lineup tonight I'd expect him to be relatively popular and if he comes off the bench, his salary is affordable enough to make him a decent value play.
Carmelo Anthony ($4,400)
Anthony has topped 30 DK points in two of his last three games as he's benefitted from increased minutes and usage in the absence of Lillard. His playing time should be even safer with Jusuf Nurkic resting.
Cody Martin ($4,100), if he starts
Martin has scored at least 24 DK points while playing mid-30s minutes in consecutive starts in place of Graham. There isn't much for cheap value options as things stand, and I'd expect Martin to be relatively popular if he starts again.
DeAndre Jordan ($3,900)
Jordan should see plenty of minutes tonight with Nicolas Claxton ruled out and LaMarcus Aldridge no longer with the team. Blake Griffin has been starting at center but the Nets will need Jordan's help trying to contain Zion tonight.
