This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
NOP at BOS (-6), O/U:
CHA at NYK (-2), O/U:
PHI (-3) at WAS, O/U:
BKN at CLE (-3), O/U:
IND at LAC (-2), O/U:
CHI at MEM (-6), O/U:
MIL (-4) at ATL, O/U:
POR (-1) at ORL, O/U:
TOR at MIA (-3.5), O/U:
OKC at DAL (-10.5), O/U:
PHX (-4.5) at SAS, O/U:
UTA (-4.5) at LAL, O/U:
Focusing on the main slate, the Raptors-Heat matchup should result in a competitive contest that brings the best out of both teams. A few injuries on each side also opens up additional value opportunities.
Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam have both been playing well and make solid selections, despite being the highest priced players in the contest. Jimmy Butler is the highest priced player from the Heat but is also a good option, along with Tyler Herro, as they both have to step up in the absence of Kyle Lowry.
Bam Adebayo is expected to make his return to action for the Heat after a six-week absence and as a result, comes with a modest price tag. Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and P.J. Tucker are good value options.
From the Raptors' side, OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes are great mid-priced picks, as they impact the game across the stat sheet. Precious Achiuwa is a solid value option as he will pick up extra playing time without Khem Birch in the lineup. If Gary Trent is sidelined, look for Svi Mykhailiuk to pick up bigger minutes.
Injuries to Monitor
Marcus Smart (COVID-19): OUT
Dennis Schroder will pick up extra playing time.
Kelly Oubre (COVID-19): OUT
P.J. Washington and Cody Martin will get a boost.
Kemba Walker (knee): Questionable
Nerlens Noel (knee), Cam Reddish (ankle), Derrick Rose (ankle): OUT
Immanuel Quickley will be up for added minutes in the backcourt. Taj Gibson should see more action without Noel.
Danny Green (hip), Shake Milton (back), Matisse Thybulle (shoulder): OUT
Furkan Korkmaz will pick up the start.
Bradley Beal (COVID-19): Questionable
Corey Kispert would be up for a boost without Beal.
Nicolas Claxton (hamstring): Questionable
Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle), James Johnson (illness), Paul Millsap (personal): OUT
James Harden and Kyrie Irving will have to step up without Durant. DeAndre' Bembry and Kessler Edwards are expected to start in place of Durant and Harris.
Lamar Stevens (knee): Questionable
Isaac Okoro will get more action if Stevens is out.
Malcolm Brogdon (achilles), Jeremy Lamb (knee): Questionable
T.J. McConnell (wrist), Myles Turner (foot): OUT
Chris Duarte will be up for a boost if Brogdon and Lamb are out. Torrey Craig is expected to start in place of Turner.
Luke Kennard (COVID-19): Questionable
Paul George (elbow): OUT
Amir Coffey and Nicolas Batum are up for added playing time.
Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (foot), Javonte Green (groin), Derrick Jones (knee), Zach LaVine (knee): OUT
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu and Alfonzo McKinnie are expected to start. DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic will have to carry a big load on offense.
Dillon Brooks (ankle): OUT
Ziaire Williams will get the start.
Jrue Holiday (ankle): OUT
George Hill is in line for a start
Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee), Clint Capela (ankle): OUT
Gorgui Dieng and Onyeka Okongwu will have to step up without Capela. Kevin Huerter will get more minutes without Bogdanovic.
Norman Powell (COVID-19): Questionable
Damian Lillard (abdomen), Larry Nance (knee), Cody Zeller (knee): OUT
Anfernee Simons will continue to fill in for Lillard. Nassir Little will be up for extra minutes without Nance and Zeller.
Wendell Carter (hamstring): OUT
Chuma Okeke will get the start.
Gary Trent (ankle): Questionable
Khem Birch (nose): OUT
Precious Achiuwa is up for a boost without Birch. Svi Mykhailiuk and Dalano Banton would pick up more minutes if Trent is out.
Bam Adebayo (thumb): Questionable
Kyle Lowry (personal): OUT
Gabe Vincent and Tyler Herro will get more responsibility without Lowry. Omer Yurtseven and Dewayne Dedmon would have to step up without Adebayo.
Deandre Ayton (ankle), Cameron Johnson (ankle): Questionable
JaVale McGee is in line for a major role if Ayton is out. Landry Shamet would get a boost if Johnson is out.
Carmelo Anthony (back): Questionable
Anthony Davis (knee): OUT
Talen Horton-Tucker is up for added minutes if Anthony is out. LeBron James and Russell Westbrook will have to continue to lead the way without Davis.
Elite Players
Guards
Fred VanVleet ($9,300)
VanVleet is averaging 26.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.2 steals in 41 minutes per game over the last five games. In one contest last week, he logged 71.0 DK points. VanVleet will have an advantage against the Heat's backcourt.
Donovan Mitchell ($9,000)
Mitchell is averaging 27.1 points per game over the last 10 games. He topped 40 DK points seven times in that span, including two outings in which he topped 50 DK points. Mitchell has a good opportunity to keep it up against a Lakers team that is giving up 113.3 points per game, which is fourth most in the league.
Forwards/Centers
Jimmy Butler ($8,900)
Butler looked good in two games back after missing a week of action, and with Kyle Lowry sidelined, he has to step up for the Heat as they play host to the Raptors. Butler topped 30 DK points in each of his last seven games, including one contest in which he logged 65.1 DK points.
Kristaps Porzingis ($7,900)
Porzingis logged 32.4 DK points in his first game back after a two-week absence. He has an advantageous matchup against the Thunder, who are giving up a league-high 48.3 rebounds per game.
Jusuf Nurkic ($8,100)
Nurkic totaled 23 points and 14 rebounds in the Trail Blazers' last game, and he needs to continue to come up big for his short-handed squad. Nurkic should have an advantage going up against the Magic's banged-up frontcourt.
Expected Chalk
LeBron James ($10,900)
Despite James continuing to put up monster numbers, the Lakers have lost three in a row. He's averaging 33.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks over the last 10 games and topped 50 DK points eight times over that span, including three occasions with more than 70 DK points. James and the Lakers play host to the Jazz, who are playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Value Picks
Jalen Suggs ($4,800)
Suggs looked good in two games back after a six-week absence. He has an advantage against the Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard-less backcourt.
Max Strus ($4,300)
Strus continues to start for the Heat and is averaging 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists over the last five games. He will pick up some extra minutes with Kyle Lowry out.
Chuma Okeke ($4,600)
With Wendell Carter sidelined, Okeke is expected to pick up his fifth consecutive start. Okeke is averaging 7.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.5 steals over the last four games.
Maxi Kleber ($4,300)
Kleber started the last eight games for the Mavs, and he is averaging 7.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks over that span. He has a chance to rack up the rebounds as the Mavs take on the Thunder, who do not do a good job on the glass.
P.J. Tucker ($4,400)
Tucker topped 26 DK points in four of the last five games. The Heat go up against the Raptors, who do not do a great job of defending the three-point line, which could result in a couple extra scoring opportunities for Tucker.
