This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIN vs. IND (-3.5), O/U: 227.5
WAS (-3.5) vs. ORL, O/U: 224.5
NO vs. BKN (-10.5), O/U: 230.5
NY vs. BOS (-3.5), O/U: 214.5
CHA (-4.5) vs. OKC, O/U: 214
DAL (-11.5) vs. HOU, O/U: 224.5
MEM vs. ATL (-2), O/U: 229
SA vs. DEN (-6.5), O/U: 223.5
UTA (-2) vs. PHX, O/U: 225.5
The NO-BKN matchup features the highest total on the slate, and news surrounding the game will center around the expected return of Kevin Durant. His minutes are likely to be limited, but that doesn't mean he can't make value at his depressed salary. I have more interest in Kyrie Irving and Zion Williamson, as both teams are missing key players, and neither plays much defense. Kyrie really shines in James Harden's absence, making him one of the premier spend-up options on the slate.
The MIN-IND matchup is another appealing target. There is likely to be considerable value on the Pacers side as Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner are questionable. It seems especially unlikely that Turner will play, and his expected replacement, Goga Bitadze, would be the chalk of the slate if he starts. The Timberwolves have an elite option in Karl-Anthony Towns, who's playing his best basketball of the season, while the Pacers should be in a pace-up spot against a bad defense in a game that features a 227.5 total.
The MEM-ATL matchup could be a good spot too. Ja Morant is likely to sit after injuring his back yesterday, so there would be value on the Grizzlies' side while Clint Capela and Trae Young have stepped up in the absence of John Collins. The game features the second-highest total on the slate and projects to be competitive and up-tempo.
Injuries to Monitor
James Harden (hamstring): OUT
Harden will be sidelined for at least the next four games after aggravating his hamstring on Monday. Bruce Brown will likely start at shooting guard.
Bradley Beal (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Beal has missed five consecutive games with a hip injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Raul Neto got the start at shooting guard last time out.
Kevin Durant (hamstring): QUESTIONABLE
Durant hasn't played since Feb. 13 but is expected to return tonight. He will likely be on a minutes restriction after being out for so long with a hamstring injury.
Domantas Sabonis (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Sabonis has missed back-to-back games with a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable for tonight. Doug McDermott has started at power forward in his absence.
Brandon Ingram (toe): QUESTIONABLE
Ingram has missed four consecutive games with a toe injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. James Johnson has been starting at small forward.
John Wall (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Wall has missed four straight games due to knee soreness but has a chance to return tonight. Sterling Brown had initially started in his place, but Avery Bradley got the nod last time.
Jamal Murray (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Murray sat out last night due to knee soreness and is listed as questionable for tonight. Monte Morris started at point guard in his absence.
Gordon Hayward (foot): OUT
Hayward will miss at least four weeks after spraining his foot. Miles Bridges will likely start at small forward going forward.
Dejounte Murray (foot): QUESTIONABLE
Murray missed Monday's game due to a sore foot and is questionable for tonight. Derrick White and Patty Mills started in the backcourt in his absence.
Ja Morant (back): QUESTIONABLE
Morant left yesterday's game with a back injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Tyus Jones would likely see an expanded role if Morant were to miss.
Rui Hachimura (shoulder): QUESTIONABLE
Hachimura has missed consecutive games due to shoulder soreness and is listed as questionable for tonight. Davis Bertans has been starting at power forward in his place.
Malcolm Brogdon (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Brogdon has missed three consecutive games dealing with a hip injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Edmond Sumner has been starting at point guard, while T.J. McConnell has seen extra run off the bench.
Myles Turner (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Turner will likely miss tonight's game after spraining his ankle yesterday. Goga Bitadze would likely start at center in his place.
Michael Carter-Williams (illness) and Cole Anthony (ribs): QUESTIONABLE
Keep an eye out for news as both Magic point guards are listed as questionable. R.J. Hampton got the start in their absence last time out.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($11,100) and Kyrie Irving ($10,200)
Westbrook is coming off another triple-double last time out -- his eighth in 10 games as he put up 62 DK points. As long as Bradley Beal is out, Westbrook will be the top option at guard on most slates, as he has the highest and safest floor along with considerable upside.
Kyrie Irving has seen his salary hit a season-high after topping 54 DK points in three of his last four games, and the Nets will be without James Harden for a favorable matchup against the Pelicans. Kevin Durant is on track to return, but I wouldn't expect that to hurt Kyrie's production, especially as Durant will likely be on a minutes limit.
Center:
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,700)
Towns continues to be incredibly consistent, as he's scored at least 52 DK points in seven consecutive games. Tonight's matchup against the Pacers could be especially if Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner are ruled out.
Nikola Jokic ($10,500) is the other elite center on the slate. He's coming off 58.5 DK points last night in his best fantasy performance in five games. While his floor is still safe, it doesn't seem like he has as high of a ceiling since Aaron Gordon's addition. Jamal Murray being out yesterday likely contributed to Jokic's higher usage, and if Murray sits again, Jokic would be viable tonight as he isn't likely to be popular.
Forward:
Luka Doncic ($10,900)
Doncic busted out of a mini-slump with 55.25 DK points last time out. It was his highest output in seven games and still not ideal for such an expensive salary. With Kristaps Porzingis expected to return and the Mavericks big favorites against a bad Rockets team, I prefer spending up elsewhere.
Zion Williamson ($9,000) can be rostered for considerably cheaper. He put 45.75 DK points last night after returning from a three-game absence due to a thumb injury. He's now scored at least 45 DK points in five consecutive games, and the Pelicans are in a good spot tonight against the Nets.
Expected Chalk
Goga Bitadze ($3,000)
Myles Turner is unlikely to play tonight after leaving yesterday's game in the third quarter with a sprained ankle. Assuming Bitadze starts at center in his place, I'd expect him to be the most popular player on the slate as he should see plenty of run to make value and has considerable upside for the minimum salary.
Tyus Jones ($3,300)
Ja Morant is unlikely to play tonight after injuring his back yesterday, meaning Jones will likely get the start at point guard. For $3,300, he should see more than enough minutes to make value, and I'd expect him to be quite popular as people jam in cheap value to build stars and scrubs style lineups.
Value Picks
Caris LeVert ($7,100)
LeVert would continue to see a significant bump in usage should Malcolm Brogdon sit out again. He's scored 38 and 51 DK points in his last two games while taking 18 and 19 shots, and the Pacers are in a great spot against the Timberwolves tonight.
Wendell Carter ($6,000)
Carter has played mid-30s minutes in back-to-back starts at center. He's put up at least 40 DK points in three consecutive games, and Orlando has a favorable matchup against the Wizards tonight.
Dillon Brooks ($5,600), Grayson Allen ($4,900) and Desmond Bane ($4,400)
Ja Morant is expected to be out, and De'Anthony Melton's status is in question after missing yesterday's game. The Grizzlies could be significantly shorthanded in the backcourt, and if that's the case, Brooks, Allen and Bane would be in line for extra minutes and usage for an up-tempo matchup against the Hawks.
Miles Bridges ($5,000)
Bridges started at small forward last time out in place of the injured Gordon Hayward and should continue to do so going forward. As evidenced by a 46-DK-point outing Friday, he has considerable upside, and his salary hasn't yet changed to account for more projected minutes and usage.
Jeremy Lamb ($3,400)
Lamb is coming off 38.5 DK points last night and would be in line for extended run again should Malcolm Brogdon sit. His salary is very affordable for the potential upside he brings, and the Pacers have a great matchup against the Timberwolves tonight.
