This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BKN at CHI: The Nets have won five of their last seven fixtures against the Bulls.
NOP at HOU: The Rockets have won four of five against the Pelicans.
CHA at DEN: The Nuggets have beaten the Hornets in 16 of their last 18 meetings.
POR at SAC: The Trail Blazers have won four of their last five games in this series.
TOR at LAL: The Lakers have won six straight in this series.
For the latest spreads and over/unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There you can also find player props, futures, picks, articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
Injuries to Monitor
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report.
BKN - Michael Porter (rest), Ziaire Williams (knee)
CHI - Josh Giddey (hamstring), Patrick Williams (ankle)
NOP - Dejounte Murray (Achilles), Herbert Jones (ankle)
HOU - Fred VanVleet (knee), Tari Eason (ankle)
CHA - Moussa Diabate (hamstring) B2B
DEN - Nikola Jokic (knee), Jonas Valanciunas (calf), Cameron Johnson (knee), Christian Braun (ankle) B2B
POR - Deni Avdija (back), Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Damian Lillard (Achilles) B2B
SAC - Keegan Murray (ankle), Keon Ellis (knee)
TOR - Jakob Poeltl (back), RJ Barrett (ankle), Immanuel Quickley (back)
LAL - Luka Doncic (groin), Deandre Ayton (groin), Austin Reaves (calf) B2B
We have DEN, LAL, CHA and POR all on the second leg of back-to-back sets.
Elite Players
Guards
Brandon Ingram, Raptors ($8,000) at Lakers
There hasn't been much discussion about Toronto, but they've quietly had a nice season. Ingram is one of the major reasons, and he could be a sneaky All-Star selection given how he's been playing and the way his team is performing. The former Laker has scored at least 32 DraftKings points in 17 of the last 18 games he's finished while cracking 39 fantasy points in all but three of those. That's less surprising when you see his 37-point average, but it makes him a decent value at just $8K. A revenge game against LA is the icing on the cake because this lackluster Lakers defense ranks 26th in defensive efficiency. In their last two matchups, BI has 39 and 54 fantasy points!
Coby White, Bulls ($6,700) vs. Nets
This is risky with White coming off an injury, but his minutes limit might be a thing of the past. White dropped 32 DraftKings points across 33 minutes in his most recent outing. That means he should be ready for his usual 35-40 minutes, and that's massive since he's seeing a usage bump in the absence of Giddey. White should see 20 shots and an increase in ball-handling with Giddey out, and we can't overlook that opportunity against a Brooklyn team that owns a 24th OPRK against opposing guards. He has at least 29 DK points in four straight matchups against the Nets while averaging 35 fantasy points per game.
Forwards/Centers
Scottie Barnes, Raptors ($9,700) at Lakers
We talked about how Ingram might be a sneaky All-Star selection, but Scottie feels like a lock to get there. He's been the Raptors' best player this season, averaging 44 DraftKings points per game. What's more impressive is his stat-stuffing nature, which has given Barnes a 30-point floor as well. He's also got an average above 50 DK points per game across his last 10 outings and shouldn't have any issues reaching that against a 26th-ranked Lakers defense. When they played back in December, Barnes had 61 fantasy points in one of his best games of the season.
Kevin Durant, Rockets ($8,900) vs. Pelicans
It's hard to believe a 20-year vet remains this consistent, but Durant is truly one of the greatest ever. KD is averaging 43 DraftKings points per game in his debut season with the Rockets while scoring at least 42 fantasy points in 15 of his last 17 outings. That's the superstar stretch we've become accustomed to, and there's no chance the Pelicans slow him down. New Orleans ranks 28th in points allowed and defensive efficiency while posting a 24th OPRK against opposing forwards.
Expected Chalk
Jamal Murray, Nuggets ($9,800) vs. Hornets
This one does worry me with Denver playing a B2B, but Murray is the best play on the board if he's able to play. He's taken over this Nuggets offense in the absence of Jokic, scoring at least 42 DK points in 15 of his last 16 outings. His 52-point average in that span is even more remarkable, taking over 20 shots per game as the Nuggets' primary playmaker. That's horrifying for a team like the Hornets, with Charlotte sitting 24th in defensive efficiency. If Murray does sit in the B2B, look for Jalen Pickett ($5,400) to be one of the best values out there.
Mid-Range Money
Donovan Clingan, Trail Blazers ($6,600) at Kings
It took Clingan some time to figure out his role in Portland, but this former UConn standout is looking like a stud center in the making. The big man has scored at least 31 DK points in 14 of his last 18 outings. That's the consistency we've been waiting to see, with Clingan compiling a 34-point average in that span. Our favorite part about this is a matchup against the Kings, with Sacramento surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing centers. In their two matchups this season, Clingan collected 38 and 40 fantasy points!
Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors ($6,000) at Lakers
Here we are with another talented big man. CMB is actually an undersized big for the Raptors, but he's looking like a steal as a top-10 pick in the draft. The rookie has been starting at center since Jakob Poeltl got injured, averaging 34 DK points per game across 30 minutes over his last 11 outings. Murray-Boyles also showcased a 50-point ceiling twice over the last two weeks and definitely has that capability here, given the Lakers have one of the worst defensive frontcourts in the NBA.
Value Picks
Noah Clowney, Nets ($5,200) at Bulls
It's surprising to see Clowney barely crack $5K because he's been one of Brooklyn's best players this season. The winger is averaging 25 DraftKings points per game this season while scoring at least 31 DK points in four of his last seven outings. That sudden burst makes him even more attractive in this spot because he should see more minutes, shot attempts and usage in the absence of Porter. Squaring off with Chicago is sensational, too, because the Bulls play at the fastest pace in the NBA while surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing forwards. That was clear when Clowney collected 31 and 38 fantasy points in their two meetings this season!
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Hornets ($5,000) at Nuggets
This is all predicated on the belief that Diabate will miss another game here. If that does happen, Kalkbrenner should be locked into 25-30 minutes as the starting center for Charlotte. That type of role has made Kalkbrenner a $6K player this season, averaging 29 DK points per game in the 16 outings he's played at least 25 minutes. You can't ask for anymore from a $5K player, especially since Kalkbrenner isn't at risk of being pulled in what looks like a potential blowout.
