This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
ORL at IND (-3.5), O/U: 224.5
WAS at PHI (-10.5), O/U: 213.5
CHA at BOS (-5.5), O/U: 225
MEM (-4) at NYK, O/U: 217
CLE (-4.5) at HOU, O/U: 218.5
OKC at DAL (-12), O/U: 207.5
BKN (-4) at SAC, O/U: 232.5
DEN at UTA (-3), O/U: 222.5
POR at LAL (-3.5), O/U: 222.5
The Hornets-Celtics matchup should result in a high-scoring and competitive contest that can fill out a well-rounded lineup with good options from all price tiers.
On the Hornets' side, LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges both come with relatively modest price tags for top-tier players and will have advantages in their individual matchups. Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre stand out as good mid-priced options, while Cody Martin and P.J. Washington are priced for value.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown highlight the Celtics' lineup, and while they have both been playing great lately, they should also have the advantage in their individual matchups. Additionally, Marcus Smart comes with a very reasonable price tag, while Dennis Schroder and Josh Richardson make for solid picks in the lower price range.
Injuries to Monitor
IND - Oshae Brissett (ankle): Questionable
Malcolm Brogdon (achilles), Myles Turner (foot), Goga Bitadze (foot), Malcolm Brogdon (achilles), Domantas Sabonis (COVID-19): OUT
Torrey Craig and Chris Duarte will continue to start in place of Brogdon and Turner. Isaiah Jackson will see a major role with Sabonis, Bitadze and/or Brissett out.
WAS - Thomas Bryant (ankle): Doubtful
Bradley Beal (wrist): OUT
Deni Avdija is expected to start in place of Beal. Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma have to step up on offense. Daniel Gafford will get a boost if Bryant is out.
PHI - Furkan Korkmaz (knee), Shake Milton (back): OUT
Danny Green is in line for more minutes off the bench.
CHA - Gordon Hayward (COVID-19), Jalen McDaniels (ankle): OUT
Cody Martin is expected to get the start in place of Hayward, while Kelly Oubre and P.J. Washington are up for a boost.
MEM - Steven Adams (ankle): Questionable
Dillon Brooks (ankle): OUT
Ziaire Williams will get another start in place of Brooks, while De'Anthony Melton should get a boost off the bench. Brandon Clarke and Kyle Anderson will pick up extra minutes if Adams is out.
CLE - Darius Garland (back), Lauri Markkanen (ankle): OUT
Dean Wade and Cedi Osman will jump into the starting lineup.
OKC - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle): OUT
Tre Mann will continue to start.
DAL - Tim Hardaway (foot), Kristaps Porzingis (knee): OUT
Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell have to step up in the frontcourt, while Reggie Bullock will get a boost off the bench.
BKN - LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle), Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle): OUT
Kessler Edwards will continue to start in place of Durant, while Nicolas Claxton and Blake Griffin have to step up with Aldridge sidelined.
SAC - De'Aaron Fox (ankle): Questionable
Terence Davis (wrist), Marvin Bagley (ankle): OUT
If Fox is out, in addition to Terence Davis, then Davion Mitchell will likely get another start. Maurice Harkless and Chimezie Metu are up for a boost without Bagley.
UTA - Hassan Whiteside (back): Questionable
Rudy Gobert (calf), Danuel House (COVID-19), Donovan Mitchell (COVID-19): OUT
Jordan Clarkson, Joe Ingles and Bojan Bogdanovic all have to step up with Mitchell sidelined. Eric Paschall is in line for a major role if Whiteside is out, in addition to Gobert.
POR - Damian Lillard (abdomen), Larry Nance (knee), Cody Zeller (knee): OUT
Anfernee Simons will continue to start in place of Lillard while Ben McLemore and Tony Snell have to step up off the bench.
LAL - LeBron James (knee): Doubtful
Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook have to pick up the slack on offense. Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony will also get more opportunity.
Elite Players
Guards
Russell Westbrook ($9,400)
Westbrook has to step up for the Lakers, as LeBron James is listed as doubtful for action. Westbrook is averaging 18.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists over the last 10 games, and he topped 47 DK points three times over the last six games. He also has an advantage as the Lakers play host to the shorthanded Trail Blazers.
Caris LeVert ($8,200)
LeVert will continue to see a bigger role while Malcolm Brogdon remains sidelined. LeVert is averaging 18.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists over the last eight games, and he topped 37 DK points five times over that span.
Forwards/Centers
Jaylen Brown ($8,700)
Brown has an advantageous matchup as the Celtics play host to the Hornets, who are giving up 114.6 points per game, which third most in the league. Brown is averaging 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games, and he topped 40 DK points six times over that span.
Jayson Tatum ($10,600)
Tatum has been on fire lately, averaging 33.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists over the last five games. He topped 54 DK points three times over that span, including two games, where he topped 65 DK points.
Anthony Davis ($10,200)
Davis is averaging 22.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 3.0 blocks and 1.7 steals over three games since returning from a month-long absence. Davis topped 44 DK points in two of the three games, including one outing where he logged 59 DK points. Davis has an advantageous matchup, as the Lakers play host to the shorthanded Trail Blazers.
Expected Chalk
Joel Embiid ($12,000)
Embiid (rest) did not play in the Sixers' last contest but is expected to be ready to go Wednesday, as the 76ers play host to the Wizards. Embiid has been on fire lately, averaging 35.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 blocks, over his last 10 games. He topped 50 DK points eight times over that span, including five games where he topped 60 DK points. Embiid has an advantage in his matchup against the Wizards' frontcourt and should be able to dominate once again. Embiid is averaging 34.0 points and 10.5 rebounds through two games against the Wizards this season.
Value Picks
Tre Mann ($4,200)
Mann will pick up another start for the shorthanded Thunder. Mann started in the Thunder's last contest and logged 21 DK points in 24 minutes of action.
Cody Martin ($4,700)
Martin is expected to start in place of the injured Gordon Hayward. Martin has started the last five games, and he is averaging 7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists over that span.
Cedi Osman ($4,600)
Osman is expected to pick up another start in place of the injured Darius Garland. Osman started at point guard in the Cavs' last game and logged seven points, two rebounds and 12 assists, in 38 minutes of playing time.
Stanley Johnson ($3,600)
Johnson started the last four games for the Lakers, and he is averaging 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists over that span. He will pick up some extra playing time if LeBron James is out, and he has an advantage as the Lakers play host to the struggling Trail Blazers.
Maxi Kleber ($4,100)
Kleber continues to start for the Mavs and has to step up in the frontcourt with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined. Kleber is averaging 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks over the last 10 games, and he topped 21 DK points in three of the last six games.
