This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
ORL vs. ATL (-8.5), O/U:
CLE vs. BOS (6.0), O/U:
TOR vs. CHI (-9.5), O/U:
HOU vs. MIL (-10), O/U:
DEN (5.5) vs. OKC, O/U:
LAC (-5.5) vs. SAC, O/U:
In each contest, at least one team will be severely shorthanded, which means there are tons of value options up for grabs. It would be ideal to pick up a few low-priced gems to help offset the costs of stuffing as many top-tier picks as possible into a lineup.
The Clippers-Kings and Nuggets-Thunder matchups are expected to be more competitive contests, making guys like Paul George and Nikola Jokic solid top-tier picks.
Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton will need to step up to lead the Kings, while Terance Mann should be looking at his seventh consecutive start and continue to play big minutes for the Clippers.
In the value range, look for guys like Jordan Nwora (Bucks), Coby White (Bulls) and Delon Wright (Hawks), as examples of players picking up key roles in place of their injured teammates.
Injuries to Monitor
Cole Anthony (ankle), Wendell Carter (leg): Questionable
Mo Bamba (ankle), R.J. Hampton (COVID-19), Terrence Ross (COVID-19), Jalen Suggs (thumb), Moritz Wagner (COVID-19): OUT
Gary Harris, Franz Wagner and Chuma Okeke will be up for big minutes. If Carter is out, Robin Lopez should see significant playing time as well.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (illness): Questionable
Clint Capela (COVID-19), Danilo Gallinari (COVID-19), Trae Young (COVID-19): OUT
Delon Wright should see an increased role in the absence of Young, while Onyeka Okongwu should see a boost without Capela. Additionally, look for Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish to see extra playing time.
Isaac Okoro (COVID-19), Jarrett Allen (COVID-19), Ed Davis (COVID-19), Evan Mobley (COVID-19), Lamar Stevens (COVID-19), Dylan Windler (COVID-19): OUT
Lauri Markkanen, Dean Wade and Cedi Osman should all see extended playing time. Kevin Love could see a significant boost as well.
Al Horford (COVID-19), Josh Richardson (COVID-19), Grant Williams (COVID-19): OUT
Dennis Schroder is expected to pick up the start, as the Celtics adjust without Horford in the lineup. Romeo Langford and Enes Freedom are in line for added responsibility coming off the bench.
Khem Birch (knee): Questionable
Precious Achiuwa (COVID-19), Dalano Banton (COVID-19), Scottie Barnes (COVID-19), Malachi Flynn (COVID-19), Pascal Siakam (COVID-19), Gary Trent (COVID-19) and Fred VanVleet (COVID-19)
Brandon Goodwin, Svi Mykhailiuk, Yuta Watanabe, OG Anunoby and Chris Boucher is the expected starting lineup for the Raptors.
Zach LaVine (COVID-19), Ayo Dosunmu (COVID-19): Questionable
Alex Caruso (foot), Derrick Jones (hamstring): OUT
Coby White should be up for a significant role with Caruso out, and even more so, if LaVine is out, as well. Javonte Green should also pick up some extra playing time, while DeMar DeRozan will be on the spot to come up big for his shorthanded team.
Christian Wood (knee): Questionable
Jalen Green (hamstring), Kevin Porter (thigh): OUT
Armoni Brooks is expected to pick up the start, while Eric Gordon and Garrison Mathews should also see some extra action. Daniel Theis and Alperen Sengun would be up for a boost if Wood is out.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (COVID-19), Bobby Portis (COVID-19): OUT
Jordan Nwora and DeMarcus Cousins are up for major responsibility in the Bucks' frontcourt.
Aaron Gordon (hamstring), JaMychal Green (ankle): Questionable
If Gordon or Green is out, the Nuggets will likely have to go smaller off the bench, with more minutes for guys like Bones Hyland and Austin Rivers. Zeke Nnaji could also see a boost.
Tre Mann (toe): Questionable
Mike Muscala (rest): OUT
Kenrich Williams and Aleksej Pokusevski should pick up some extra playing time, without Muscala in the lineup. Aaron Wiggins could be up for a boost, if Mann is out.
Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle): OUT
Serge Ibaka should be in line for a bigger role.
Richaun Holmes (eye): Questionable
Marvin Bagley (COVID-19), Terence Davis (COVID-19), De'Aaron Fox (COVID-19), Alex Len (COVID-19), Davion Mitchell (COVID-19): OUT
Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton are expected to start in the backcourt, while Tristan Thompson and Maurice Harkless should see a boost off the bench.
Elite Players
Guards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($9,500)
Gilgeous-Alexander has been playing great and has topped 39 DK points in seven of his last 10 games. He has a matchup at home against the Nuggets, who are allowing their opponents to shoot an average of 47.0 percent from the field, which is third highest in the league.
Paul George ($10,900)
George is coming off an impressive outing in the Clippers' most recent contest, where he logged 47.0 DK points. He has a matchup against the Kings, who are giving up an average of 114.3 points per game, which is second most in the league.
Forwards/Centers
Khris Middleton ($8,300)
Middleton has missed the last three contests, but he is expected to be ready to go on Wednesday night. He will have a big opportunity to step up, as the Bucks will be without their leading scorer, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
DeMar DeRozan ($10,200)
DeRozan has been paying great lately for the Bulls. He has a matchup against a shorthanded Raptors team, while he will be looking to come up big to lead his own shorthanded squad. DeRozan has topped 38 DK points in his last five games.
Nikola Vucevic ($10,100)
Vucevic and the Bulls take on the Raptors, who are shorthanded in the frontcourt, which should give the Bulls' big man an advantage in his matchups. Vucevic has topped 32 DK points in eight of the last 10 games, including one outing where he logged 62.5 DK points.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Jokic ($12,600)
Jokic continues to dominate the game, averaging 26.2 points, 13.3 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.5 steals over the last 10 games. He has topped 54 DK points eight times over that span, including three contests where he topped 70 DK points. The Nuggets have a matchup against the Thunder, who are giving up an average of 48.2 rebounds per game, which is second most in the league and should mean an advantage for Jokic in the paint.
Value Picks
Delon Wright ($4,600)
Wright should see a boost in his role with Trae Young sidelined.
Coby White ($4,100)
The Bulls are dealing with multiple players out, which means a bigger opportunity for White to step up. He is coming off a strong performance in the Bulls' last game, where he tallied 34.8 DK points in 32 minutes of action.
Yuta Watanabe ($4,000)
Watanabe should be looking at a big opportunity, as the Raptors will be missing at least seven players from their lineup. Watanabe is averaging 25 minutes per game, over the last three games. He logged 31.3 DK points in his last outing.
Jordan Nwora ($4,500)
Nwora is expected to another start, as the Bucks remain shorthanded in the frontcourt. Nwora totaled 49.8 DK points in the Bucks' last contest.
DeMarcus Cousins ($4,400)
Cousins should be picking up another start and seeing an increased role, as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis remain sidelined. Cousins accounted for 41 DK points in the Bucks' most recent contest.
