This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Let's dive right into tonight's six-game slate.
SLATE OVERVIEW
IND (-8.5) vs. CHI, O/U: 214
MEM (-2.5) @ NY, O/U: 225
BKN (-8.5) vs. DET, O/U 218
UTA (-5) @ SA, O/U: 221
SAC (-1) vs. OKC, O/U:221.5
POR (-1) vs. HOU, O/U:238.5
HOU/POR is obviously my favorite game. I may not give direct endorsements, but I think you can find interesting choices on both sides of the MEM/NY game as well.
INJURY SITUATIONS TO MONITOR
RotoWire provides player notes for DraftKings, and we have you covered when it comes to ongoing injury situations, in case you need to look around and remind yourself of the ongoing injury spots.
James Harden (thigh) QUESTIONABLE
Clint Capela (heel) QUESTIONABLE
I have a hunch that he'll play, but we really won't know the story until game-time. Obviously you put Russell Westbrook ($10,400) on the radar of Harden can't go. If Capela is forced to sit, Isaiah Hartenstein ($3,300) would likely get the starting nod.
LaMarcus Aldridge (thumb) OUT
Jakob Poeltl ($5,600) will be so chalky today, I think he might actually get some ownership backlash. With 60-70 percent a real possibility, some sharps might just stay away entirely.
ELITE PLAYS
Kyrie Irving, BKN ($9,100) vs. DET
There's some question as to Kyrie's status, but I think he'll go to tonight. While I want to see what happens with Harden, Irving is someone I'll give exposure to regardless. They just played the Pistons, so the game history is crystal clear. Irving torched them with 65 DKFP, and I see nothing to indicate a different outcome, save a healthy scratch.
Hassan Whiteside, POR ($8,500) vs. HOU
I think it's a great night to use Whiteside with Capela either out or severely limited with a heel injury. The pace is great and the spread is narrow, so the contest already checks a lot of statistical boxes. I'm inclined to ride the situational aspect and click on Whiteside.
De'Aaron Fox, SAC @ OKC ($8,100)
With a litany of elite guards available, I think Fox might get lost in the shuffle a bit. The Kings have yet to play the Thunder, but Fox is coming off 46 and 40 DKFP contests and he's flirted with assist double-doubles over the past couple of games. Riding the hot hand here should give us at least 5x value.
Also consider: DeMar DeRozan, SA ($8,400)
EXPECTED CHALK AND OTHER TARGETS
C.J. McCollum, POR ($6,900) vs. HOU
It's great to see McCollum back in the swing of things, and after posting almost 40 DKFP in his first game back from injury, he now drops into a fast-paced, hotly contested battle with a prolific offensive team that struggles defensively against opposing frontcourts.
Marcus Morris, NY ($6,500) vs. MEM
I'm a Morris apologist from way back to his days in Boston, and his defensive prowess is often unnoticed and underrated. I think Memphis has the advantage in this game but I think Morris could find a way to exploit the motley crew of youngsters the Grizzlies have assembled at the three and four spots.
Bojan Bogdanovic, UTA ($6,000) @ SA
Bojan came through for me on Monday (although I called him Bogdan in the article - sorry, long day), and I think his stock is rising with the Jazz as they try to coalesce into a contender. There's a steep talent drop-off in the rotation, and it's noticeable when you watch Utah play. Bojan is a minutes beast when he's healthy, and his versatility allows him to shift to multiple positions.
VALUE PLAYS
Jeremy Lamb, IND ($5,200) vs. CHI
There's no question that Lamb can burn you. His shot is streaky and it's often a matter of limited opportunity for him in a crowded depth chart. Despite that, his ceiling flashes load of potential, and his last game against Portland was an excellent example (39 DKFP).
Trevor Ariza, POR ($4,900) vs. HOU
I'm ok with calling this a revenge game, albeit a year removed. If you know and understand a system, it's likely that you also know how to exploit it. Ariza didn't do what I expected against Indiana in his second game with the team, but the pace and opponent check all the boxes.
Caris LeVert, BKN ($4,500) vs. DET
I endorsed LeVert a few columns ago, and the stat that stuck out to me was the 26 percent usage LeVert is enjoying with the Nets, and that's the third-best rate on the squad. At this low price, LeVert doesn't have to do much to make this play worthwhile, and there's always a good chance that he'll exceed 5x value here.
