This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BKN vs. TOR (-2.5), O/U: 227.5
CHI (-2.5) vs. CLE, O/U: 211.5
GS (-2) vs. WAS, O/U: 238.5
OKC vs. IND (-10.5), O/U: 225.5
PHX (-1.5) vs. PHI, O/U: 221.5
ATL vs. NY (-2.5), O/U: 216.5
UTA (-11) vs. HOU, O/U: 226.5
DET vs. DAL (-12.5), O/U: 220.5
MIA vs. SA (-1.5), O/U: 215.5
DEN (-2.5) vs. POR, O/U: 225.5
MEM vs. LAC (-4.5), O/U: 226.5
MIN vs. SAC (-4.5), O/U: 237.5
The GS-WAS matchup stands out tonight as it features the highest total on the slate and a duel between two of the more appealing spend-up options in Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry. Keep in mind the opportunity cost of targeting a game that tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST, as there will be significant injury news that comes later in the night. However, with 24 teams playing and quite a few of them on back-to-backs, even if the value isn't there at lock, trust that multiple options will open up as the night progresses.
Specifically, the Heat have Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro listed as questionable, while the Clippers are already without Kawhi Leonard and could rest other veterans, including Paul George, for the second half of a back-to-back tonight. Both games start later, so don't panic if things aren't fitting together when the slate locks. It's almost always better to stay patient than to try and force value plays that might not be there.
Injuries to Monitor
James Harden (hamstring): OUT
Harden suffered a setback during Monday's rehab session and will be out indefinitely. Landry Shamet has been starting at shooting guard in his place while Bruce Brown has seen extra run off the bench.
Jimmy Butler (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Butler has missed consecutive games due to a sore ankle and is listed as questionable for tonight. Andre Iguodala has been starting at small forward in his absence.
Donovan Mitchell (ankle): OUT
Mitchell will miss his third consecutive game due to a sprained ankle and will be re-evaluated next week. Joe Ingles has been starting at shooting guard in his place.
Damian Lillard (hamstring): QUESTIONABLE
Lillard has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, and his status for tonight is uncertain. Anfernee Simons has seen extended run off the bench while Lillard has been out.
Domantas Sabonis (back) and Myles Turner (toe): OUT
Sabonis will miss a second straight game due to a sore back, while Turner is out indefinitely after suffering a partial tear in his foot. Goga Bitadze and Oshae Brissett started in the frontcourt last time out, but Bitadze (ankle) is listed as questionable. If he were to sit, JaKarr Sampson would likely start at center.
Kevin Durant (thigh): QUESTIONABLE
Durant missed yesterday's game with a bruised thigh and his status for tonight is uncertain. Jeff Green got the start at power forward in his place.
Kawhi Leonard (foot): OUT
Leonard will miss the next few games due to foot soreness and will be re-evaluated next week. Terance Mann started in his place yesterday while Luke Kennard saw extra run off the bench.
Bam Adebayo (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Adebayo missed Monday's game due to knee soreness and is listed as questionable for tonight. Precious Achiuwa got the start at center in his absence.
Jonas Valanciunas (concussion): OUT
Valanciunas will miss a second consecutive game tonight as he recovers from a concussion. Xavier Tillman will likely get another start center.
Ben Simmons (illness) and Tobias Harris (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Simmons and Harris are both considered questionable after both sat out on Monday. Furkan Korkmaz and Mike Scott drew the starts in their places.
Luguentz Dort (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Dort missed Monday's game with a strained hip and is listed as questionable for tonight. Svi Mykhailiuk got the start at shooting guard.
Richaun Holmes (hamstring): QUESTIONABLE
Holmes has missed four consecutive games dealing with a hamstring injury and his status for tonight is uncertain. Hassan Whiteside has been starting at center in his place.
Rui Hachimura (knee): OUT
Hachimura will miss a second consecutive game tonight due to a knee injury. Davis Bertans will likely get another start at power forward.
Dillon Brooks (thigh): QUESTIONABLE
Brooks missed Monday's game with a thigh injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Desmond Bane got the start at shooting guard, but De'Anthony Melton saw the majority of minutes alongside Ja Morant.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($10,900)
Westbrook has eight triple-doubles in his last nine games, and he's scored at least 68 DK points in four of his last eight. He has the highest and safest floor of anyone in the league, and yet he's consistently less popular than he should be. Tonight's matchup against the Warriors is one of the best spots on the slate, and there will surely be enough cheap value to afford multiple studs.
Stephen Curry ($10,500)
Here's an incredible stat: Curry has made at least 10 three-pointers in four of his last five games. He's topped 60 DK points in each of those games and will have a great chance to get there again with the Warriors in a pace-up spot against a bad Wizards defense tonight.
Center:
Nikola Jokic ($11,000)
Jokic is coming off 78.75 DK points in Monday's double-overtime win. He's scored at least 50 DK points in nine consecutive games, and he should be consistent for the rest of the season with Jamal Murray out. The Nuggets have a favorable matchup against the Trail Blazers tonight.
Joel Embiid ($10,600)
Embiid put up 60.25 DK points in 32 minutes last time out. He's attempted at least 20 shots while seeing mid-30s minutes in three straight games and would be especially appealing tonight if Tobias Harris and/or Ben Simmons were to miss again.
Forward:
Luka Doncic ($10,800)
Doncic has bounced back from a rough stretch with consecutive games of 60-plus DK points. He's the most expensive small forward by a wide margin, but the Mavericks are 12.5 point favorites against the Pistons tonight, and with 12 games to choose from, I'd prefer to avoid the blowout risk and spend-up elsewhere.
Expected Chalk
Xavier Tillman ($4,200)
With so many pieces of important news to wait for on such a big slate, it's basically impossible to predict chalk early. Still, Tillman will be relatively popular regardless of what happens. He put up 45 DK points in 41 minutes last time out as he started at center in place of the injured Jonas Valanciunas. Power forward eligibility makes him extra appealing for a slate that's loaded at center, and $4,200 is still very affordable.
Los Angeles Clippers, depending on news
Kawhi Leonard is out, and the Clippers are playing the second half of back-to-back, and we've seen them rest players many times in these spots. If Paul George plays, he's a great option, and I'd expect him to be popular as he's been crushing in Kawhi's absence. If George and some of the other veterans sit, Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann and Luke Kennard will garner significant popularity depending on who starts.
Miami Heat, depending on news
The Heat were chalky on Monday's slate with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro out. Specifically, Kendrick Nunn, Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa were all popular, and they all did well. I'd expect that to be the case again if the aforementioned three players are ruled out and the Heat roll out the same starting lineup.
Value Picks
Indiana Pacers
Malcolm Brogdon ($7,700), Caris LeVert ($7,600), Goga Bitadze ($4,200), Oshae Brissett ($3,100) and JaKarr Sampson ($3,000), *if Bitadze is out
The Pacers are without Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner and have listed Jeremy Lamb, Doug McDermott and Goga Bitadze as questionable. Brogdon and LeVert should see a nice bump in usage while Bitadze and Brissett started in the frontcourt last time out and should be good value again. If Bitadze were ruled out, I'd expect JaKarr Sampson ($3,000) to be chalky if he got the start at center.
Anthony Edwards ($7,100)
Edwards is coming off 46.5 DK points against the Kings yesterday and has the same great matchup tonight. He'd be especially appealing if D'Angelo Russell were to rest as the Timberwolves are playing the second half of a back-to-back.
Kelly Oubre ($5,900), if he starts
Oubre played 22 minutes off the bench on Monday as he returned to action following a five-game absence due to a wrist injury. At some point, he will re-enter the starting lineup, and his salary has dropped under 6K for the first time awhile. The Warriors are in a great spot tonight against the Wizards, Oubre's old team.
Coby White ($5,600)
White has played at least 30 minutes in three consecutive starts at point guard. He's seen a big usage bump in Zach LaVine's absence, as he's attempted 20 three-pointers and dished out 23 assists in those three starts.
Maurice Harkless ($3,500)
I never thought I'd be writing about Harkless here, but he's been playing well and seeing big minutes since entering the starting lineup. He's coming off 34.25 DK points against the Timberwolves yesterday and has the same matchup tonight. It doesn't take much to make value for just $3,500, playing starters minutes in a game with a 237.5 total.
