This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
LAL (-5.5) at ORL, O/U: 221
LAC at PHI (-7.5), O/U:
OKC at CHA (-9.5), O/U: 222
MIA (-1) at ATL, O/U:
POR at BOS (-7.5), O/U: 214.5
CHI at MIL (-9), O/U: 227.5
TOR at WAS (-2), O/U:
BKN (-3) at SAS, O/U: 233.5
MEM at DEN (-4), O/U: 220
DET at UTA (-13.5), O/U: 218.5
HOU at GSW (-12), O/U:
The Heat-Hawks features a couple top-tier leaders on both sides, along with decent value opportunities as players pick up added roles due to injuries.
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will have to step up and lead the Heat as Kyle Lowry remains sidelined. The absence of Tyler Herro opens up lots of room for Gabe Vincent and Max Strus. Caleb Martin, P.J. Tucker and Duncan Robinson also represent excellent value options.
On the Hawks' side, Trae Young will have an advantage against the Heat's shorthanded backcourt. John Collins has put up big numbers over the last two games and comes in with a reasonable salary while Kevin Huerter, De'Andre Hunter are nicely valued.
Injuries to Monitor
Anthony Davis (knee): OUT
Stanley Johnson and Talen Horton-Tucker will continue to see a boost without Davis.
Marcus Morris (personal): Questionable
Nicolas Batum (COVID-19), Paul George (elbow): OUT
Amir Coffey should maintain a significant role while Luke Kennard and Terance Mann are in line for more playing time.
Seth Curry (ankle): Questionable
Danny Green (hip), Shake Milton (back), Matisse Thybulle (shoulder): OUT
Furkan Korkmaz will pick up another start. Georges Niang is in line for added responsibility.
Derrick Favors (back): Questionable
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Darius Bazley would add minutes if Favors is out.
P.J. Washington (hip): Questionable
Kelly Oubre and Cody Martin could receive more action without Washington.
Tyler Herro (COVID-19), Kyle Lowry (personal): OUT
Gabe Vincent and Max Strus will have to step up in the Heat backcourt.
Clint Capela (ankle), Danilo Gallinari (achilles): Questionable
Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee): OUT
If Capela remains sidelined, Onyeka Okongwu will continue to play a major role. Kevin Huerter and De'Andre Hunter will get more responsibility without Bogdanovic and possibly Gallinari.
Nassir Little (knee): Questionable
Norman Powell (personal), Damian Lillard (abdomen), Larry Nance (knee), Cody Zeller (knee): OUT
Anfernee Simons will continue to fill in for Lillard. Robert Covington Tony Snell and Ben McLemore may receive more opportunities without Nance, Zeller and potentially Little.
Marcus Smart (COVID-19): Questionable
Dennis Schroder would be in for a boost if Smart is out.
Lonzo Ball (knee), Javonte Green (groin), Derrick Jones (knee), Zach LaVine (knee): OUT
Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Alfonzo McKinnie will continue to start while DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic will have to do more on offense.
Gary Trent (ankle): Questionable
Khem Birch (nose): OUT
Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher will continue to pick up added playing time.
DeAndre' Bembry (back), Nicolas Claxton (hamstring): Questionable
Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle), Paul Millsap (personal): OUT
Day'Ron Sharpe is up for a significant role if Claxton is out. Kessler Edwards, Cam Thomas and Bruce Brown will pick up extra minutes with Durant, Harris, Millsap and potentially Bembry out.
Kyle Anderson (COVID-19), Desmond Bane (COVID-19), Dillon Brooks (ankle), Tyus Jones (COVID-19): OUT
Ziaire Williams, De'Anthony Melton and John Konchar are up for increased opportunities.
JaMychal Green (COVID-19): OUT
Zeke Nnaji is in line for more minutes.
Killian Hayes (hip): Questionable
Jerami Grant (thumb), Frank Jackson (COVID-19): OUT
Saddiq Bey and Hamidou Diallo will have to step up on offense in the absence of Grant. Cory Joseph will pick up more responsibility with Jackson and possibly Hayes missing.
Donovan Mitchell (concussion): OUT
Jordan Clarkson and Bojan Bogdanovic will have an opportunity to lead the way on offense. Joe Ingles should also get a boost.
Draymond Green (calf): OUT
Otto Porter and Jonathan Kuminga are up for bigger roles.
Elite Players
Guards
Dejounte Murray ($10,100)
The Spurs go up against the shorthanded Nets who are missing most of their rim protection, which opens up room for Murray to finish in the paint. Murray is averaging 24.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.8 steals over the last five contests while producing 67.0 DK points in his last appearance.
Fred VanVleet ($8,500)
VanVleet has been posting big numbers of late exceeding 50 DK in nine of his last 15, with 27.3 DK points being his lowest output during that span. The matchup with the Wizards should result in a competitive contest that brings the best out of VanVleet.
Forwards/Centers
Jimmy Butler ($9,400)
Butler was ejected from the Heat's last game after only 15 minutes of action, but he notched 51.5 DK in the previous outing. He'll have to do more tonight as Miami's missing a couple of key players. He has an advantage against the Hawks, who are giving up an NBA-fifth-worst average of 112.3 points per game.
Jayson Tatum ($9,700)
Tatum has a great opportunity to get back on track after a rough outing last time out versus the shorthanded Trail Blazers. He's topped 40 DK in four of the last five contests.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,700)
Giannis accounted for 68.3 DK in the Bucks' last game. He went over 45 in each of his last 12, including six over 60. He should continue to post big numbers against the depleted Bulls.
Expected Chalk
Joel Embiid ($11,000)
Embiid is coming off a 50-point outing where he generated 77 DK in just 27 minutes. The big man has topped 40 DK in each of his last 25 games, including five over 70. Embiid has a favorable matchup with the Clippers, who are giving up an average of 48.0 rebounds per game - second most in the league.
Value Picks
De'Anthony Melton ($4,200)
Melton will have to step up for the shorthanded Grizzlies, and he should have an advantage over the second unit of the shorthanded Nuggets.
John Konchar ($4,300)
Konchar is expected to start in place of Desmond Bane, as he takes on a bigger role. He's exceeded 20 DK over each of the last two games.
Max Strus ($4,600)
Strus offers an opportunity to do more without Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro and has topped 19 DK points in four straight.
Jeff Green ($3,900)
Green topped 20 DK in five of the last seven, including a 39.8. He'll continue to pick up a few extra minutes with JaMychal Green out of the rotation.
Precious Achiuwa ($4,600)
Achiuwa has gone over 30 DK in two of the last three and is averaging 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks over the last 10. He'll continue to get a boost with Khem Birch still sidelined.
