This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BKN vs. MIL (-1), O/U: 236
GSW vs. LAL (-3.5), O/U 227
BKN vs. MIL clash for the first time since last season's conference semifinals, in whcih the Bucks edged out the Nets. Their big three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday will be looking to pick up where they left off, while the Nets will kick off the season without Kyrie Irving, as James Harden and Kevin Durant are set to lead the way.
GSW vs. LAL should be a high-octane shootout, with the fast-paced Russell Westbrook making his debut at the point for the Lakers and going up against Stephen Curry, who has already shown he is ready to rock with a couple big preseason performances. Malik Monk and Kent Bazemore, both offseason acquisitions for the Lakers, will certainly see some open looks as the Golden State defense will be forced to hone in on LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Westbrook. Klay Thompson is not yet ready to return for the Warriors, but Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green will be there to do their thing.
Injuries to Monitor
Kyrie Irving (COVID protocols): OUT
The Nets announced that they will move ahead without Irving until his is able to be a full participant with the team, which would require his full compliance with current health and safety protocols. Luckily for the Nets, they can look to their new addition Patty Mills to help facilitate the offense.
Bobby Portis (hamstring): OUT
Portis was a notable factor in the Bucks' championship run, adding energy and grit, but he will be sidelined to start the season, leaving room for a guy like Jordan Nwora to pick up some extra minutes early on.
Klay Thompson (Achilles): OUT
Thompson is expected to remain out for at least the first month of the season, which leaves Jordan Poole and Damion Lee as the Warriors' go-to options at shooting guard.
James Wiseman (knee) and Jonathan Kuminga (knee): OUT
With the two big men sidelined, the Warriors will be forced to play slightly smaller, as guys like Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter may have to slide to the power forward position, while Juan Toscano-Anderson and Nemanja Bjelica could see minutes at the center position.
Wayne Ellington (hamstring) and Talen Horton-Tucker (thumb): OUT
Ellington is dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring injury and will sit out Tuesday's contest, while Horton-Tucker is recovering from surgery, which will keep him sidelined for at least a month. With the two wings out, Monk and Bazemore are in line to pick up extended minutes.
Elite Players
Guard
Stephen Curry ($9,400)
Curry is the highest-priced guard on the board, and with Thompson still sidelined, much of the Warriors' scoring will be his responsibility. Curry will be letting it fly all night long, as he has already shown that he is in the groove with a couple massive preseason outings, including a 41-point performance in the Warriors' final tuneup.
James Harden ($9,300)
Harden is a DFS monster, capable of putting up massive point totals, but in the event of a quieter scoring night he can still do a great job of distributing the ball and hauling in rebounds. With the lethal Kevin Durant by his side, Harden will certainly rack up the assists. His salary could end up being a bargain as Harden averaged 54.3 DK points per game last season.
Russell Westbrook ($8,600)
Given that this is the first game of the season and also Westbrook's first game with his new squad, his salary is relatively low for what the triple-double king can offer. Westbrook will certainly be looking to make an impression in all facets of the game and while running alongside LeBron and AD, he should have no trouble racking up some huge assist numbers.
F/C
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,000)
Giannis will be ready to burst out of the gates with all the confidence in the world after picking up his first championship and the finals MVP last season. There are not many teams in the league with any kind of answer for his size and strength, and given the Nets' general lack of size, Giannis should have no trouble doing what he wants on the court.
Anthony Davis ($8,800)
AD is going up against the Warriors, who are missing some of their depth up front. He will be lining up opposite Kevon Looney to start the game, who is by no means mobile enough to keep up with Davis' agility and offensive arsenal. AD will have a similar advantage on the defensive end, as he will stand as the tallest player on the court for most of the game and should be able to haul in plenty of boards.
Expected Chalk
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,000)
Going up against the Nets, Antetokounmpo may draw the matchup against Durant at times, but he will also see a rotation of various role players attempting to keep pace with him, as the Nets search for answers. Brooklyn lacks the interior size and shot blocking to stop Giannis once he gets anywhere near the basket, so they may try to clamp him down on the outside with guys like Bruce Brown, DeAndre' Bembry and James Johnson. Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap will simply have a hard time keeping up. Given the advantageous matchup in addition to the high chance that Giannis is as motivated and confident as ever, it will be very hard to stop him.
Value Picks
LaMarcus Aldridge ($3,900)
As a result of him being forced to miss most of last season, Aldridge's salary comes in extremely low. The matchup against Brook Lopez will be a familiar one, and also one in which Aldridge could even be seen to have the advantage as he can focus on his mid-range game.
Grayson Allen ($3,800)
With Donte DiVincenzo sidelined, Allen is expected to get the start over Pat Connaughton and will be looking to make an impact early to make a good impression with his new squad. Allen has shown that he can affect the game on both ends of the floor, and playing alongside three All-Stars should afford him plenty of room to get his shot off, as well as plenty of opportunities to rack up assists.
Kent Bazemore ($3,600)
Bazemore is a solid long-range shooter who will find himself open either as a result of the defense focusing on his superstar teammates, or thanks to the elite court vision and passing of guys like LeBron and Westbrook. The Lakers are also short-handed on the wings and will need Bazemore to chip in extended minutes, giving him more leeway to play through any mistakes.
Juan Toscano-Anderson ($3,400) and Andre Iguodala ($3,500)
With Kuminga and Wiseman both out, these two should see some extra minutes. Considering they both already have established chemistry playing along the staples in the Warriors' offense, they should both able to make efficient contributions and find their rhythm on both ends of the floor.
Jordan Nwora ($3,000)
With Portis and Semi Ojeleye sidelined for Tuesday's contest, Nwora stands next in line to pick up minutes at the power forward position. The second-year player has shown that he can impact the game with his hustle and energy and should have a bit of an edge in that regard going up against the veteran Nets' frontcourt.
