This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BOS (-3.5) vs. ATL, O/U: 227.5
GS vs. IND (-2), O/U: 228.5
HOU (-2.5) vs. CLE, O/U: 216.5
DET vs. NO (-9.5), O/U: 222
MIN vs. CHI (-4.5), O/U: 227.5
SA vs. OKC (-1.5), O/U: 217.5
TOR vs. MIA (-2.5), O/U: 215.5
CHA vs. PHX (-9.5), O/U: 225.5
LAL vs. UTA (-8.5), O/U: 220.5
Wednesday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST and includes nine games. The most significant news is the lack of healthy players available for the Spurs. Keldon Johnson, Derrick White, Rudy Gay, Devin Vassell and Quinndary Weatherspoon are all out due to the league's health and safety protocols. DeMar DeRozan is out for personal reasons, while LaMarcus Aldridge is listed as questionable. The remaining Spurs will be chalky tonight, especially Lonnie Walker and Dejounte Murray.
The SA-OKC matchup is an obvious target because of the projected Spurs chalk and affordable pieces on the Thunder side. The LAL-UTA could be a less popular option but makes sense as it's the final game of the night, and LeBron will likely need to carry the shorthanded Lakers to stay competitive with the Jazz. The MIN-CHI matchup features two appealing centers and other viable pieces in what should be a high-scoring game with little defense. BOS-ATL won't be a popular target as the earliest game on the slate, but some guys can go off on both sides that won't be very popular either, and that's the type of leverage that can win a tournament when the chalk fails.
Injuries to Monitor
DeMar DeRozan (personal): OUT
Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Rudy Gay, Devin Vassell (COVID-19): OUT
LaMarcus Aldridge (hip): QUESTIONABLE
The Spurs will be significantly shorthanded tonight as they will be without White, Johnson, Gay and Vassell due to the league's health and safety protocols and DeRozan due to personal reasons. Aldridge hasn't played since Feb. 1st but went through practice on Monday and is considered questionable for tonight.
Victor Oladipo (foot): QUESTIONABLE
Oladipo has missed four consecutive games due to foot soreness and is considered questionable for tonight. Eric Gordon and David Nwaba have seen expanded roles in his absence.
Kyle Lowry (ankle): PROBABLE
Lowry has a good chance of playing tonight, according to head coach Nick Nurse. He has missed the past four games with thumb and ankle injuries.
Gordon Hayward (hand): QUESTIONABLE
Hayward left Monday's game after taking a hit to the hand and is considered questionable for tonight. If he were to sit, Miles Bridges ($4,700) would likely start at small forward.
John Collins (possible concussion): QUESTIONABLE
Collins exited last night's game early to be evaluated for a concussion and did not return. Danilo Gallinari ($4,800) could step into the starting lineup if Collins can't go tonight.
Eric Gordon (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Gordon picked up an ankle injury on Monday and is considered questionable for tonight. If he misses, David Nwaba ($5,100) would likely be in line for an expanded role.
Delon Wright (groin): OUT
Wright will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering a grade 2 strain. Dennis Smith ($4,400) has started at point guard in his absence, while Saben Lee ($3,800) has seen extended minutes off the bench.
Dennis Schroder (COVID-19): OUT
Schroder will miss one more game before returning to the lineup on Friday. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,400) and Wesley Matthews ($3,400) have been starting in the backcourt in his absence.
Tyler Herro (hip) and Goran Dragic (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Herro missed Monday's game while Dragic hasn't played since Feb 5th, but both are listed as questionable for tonight. Kendrick Nunn ($6,100) has been playing big minutes while starting at point guard.
Elite Players
Guard:
Stephen Curry ($10,000) has scored at least 56 DK points in three consecutive games while attempting at least 14 threes in each. His recent fantasy output could actually have been much better, but he's shot poorly from the field, as shooting percentages of 41%, 38% and 32% have prevented big games. The GS-IND matchup has the highest total on the slate and should be competitive. Trae Young ($9,800) is another appealing option at point guard. He's put up at least 56 DK points in four consecutive games, and the Hawks will be a bit shorthanded for the second night of a back-to-back against the Celtics.
Forward:
LeBron James ($10,900) is the most expensive player on the slate. The Lakers have lost three consecutive games, as they've really struggled without Anthony Davis. They are big underdogs against the Jazz tonight, and LeBron will likely have to shoulder a heavy load to keep them competitive. Jimmy Butler ($9,300) and Jayson Tatum ($9,200) are the only options in the 9K range, and I don't expect them to garner much popularity. Both have been regularly putting up over 50 DK points, and either would give a lineup nice leverage should they hit their respective ceilings.
Center:
Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,700) has scored at least 53 DK points in three of the last four games. He's back to playing big minutes, and it's likely we see his salary hit five-figures soon. Minnesota has a good matchup against Chicago, and I'd expect Towns to be popular, as there are really only two elite center options on the slate tonight. Domantas Sabonis ($10,500) is the other elite center to consider. He's coming off a big triple-double that saw him score 82.5 DK points last time out. He's also received a significant salary increase, as he was valued at $8,300 just two weeks ago and $9,700 last game. The Pacers are in a good spot against the Warriors tonight.
Expected Chalk
Lonnie Walker ($3,700)
The Spurs will be without DeMar DeRozan, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Rudy Gay, Devin Vassell and Quinndary Weatherspoon. The only healthy guards will be Dejounte Murray, Patty Mills and Lonnie Walker. Walker is only $3,700, and with the expectation of big minutes, I'd expect him to be the most popular player on the slate.
Dejounte Murray ($7,400)
Murray will be a popular mid-range option for the same reasons. He should see all the minutes and usage he can handle tonight for the shorthanded Spurs.
Value Picks
Jarrett Allen ($7,700)
Allen has seen his salary steadily rise after a string of nice performances. He's scored at least 43 DK points in three consecutive games, and the Cavs have a favorable matchup against a Rockets team with no centers.
Kendrick Nunn ($6,100)
Keep an eye on the status of Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic. Nunn has played at least 40 minutes in three of the past four and has back-to-back games of 45.75 and 51.25 DK points.
Wendell Carter ($5,800)
Carter should see plenty of minutes trying to deal with Karl-Anthony Towns tonight. He's coming off 45.75 DK points on Monday and will likely be a popular pay-down option at center.
Danilo Gallinari ($4,700)
The Hawks could be shorthanded at forward, as John Collins and Cam Reddish are listed as questionable. Gallinari started the second half of yesterday's game, and if he makes the starting lineup tonight, should be good value for $4,700.
Patty Mills ($4,300)
Mills will be one of three healthy guards for the shorthanded Spurs. He's expected to play big minutes and will be a popular value play tonight.
Saben Lee ($3,800)
Lee is coming off consecutive games of 34.75 and 30 DK points as the Pistons have been without Delon Wright. He's likely to be somewhat chalky again tonight.
