This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We tip this new month off with a nine game slate on DraftKings. A handful of players remain in flux with questionable tags. You'll want to pay close attention throughout the day, as finding value will be paramount in building your lineups with many high priced studs to pay up for.
Slate Overview
MIA (-1) at ORL, O/U 206
IND (-10.5) vs NYK, O/U 213.5
BKN (-1.5) at WAS, O/U 239
This game features the highest total on the slate. Both teams are top-10 in the league in pace, and Washington gives up the most points per game (121) to opponents. This sets up well for Kyrie Irving to take advantage of the up-tempo atmosphere, making him one of the top plays on the board.
CLE (-1) vs GSW, O/U 223.5
Despite these teams not playing for anything at this point, it still garners some attention from a fantasy perspective. They are both in the bottom half of the league in points allowed. Defense will be at a minimum, making Kevin Love for Cleveland and D'Angelo Russell for Golden State the top targets for their respective teams.
BOS (-3) vs PHI, O/U 214.5
DAL (-6) vs ATL, O/U 237
SAS (-8.5) vs CHA, O/U 217.5
UTA (-5) at POR, O/U 228
The Trailblazers head home to face the Jazz in what should be a competitive game featuring a healthy 226.5 total. Utah will try and slow down a red-hot Damian Lillard. The Jazz are top-10 in the league in points allowed to opponents but also give up over 50 fantasy points per game to opposing point guards.
LAL (-7) at SAC O/U 226.5
Injury Situations to Monitor
Luka Doncic (ankle) will be out the next six games according to coach Rick Carlisle. Look for Kristaps Porzingis to shoulder the load in his absence.
Kemba Walker (knee) is questionable. If he were to sit, Marcus Smart could be relied on to step into the starting point guard roll against Philadelphia.
LaMarcus Aldridge (thumb) has missed his last two games and is in jeopardy of missing a third. However, if he can suit up he would be in a fantastic spot against one of the worst teams in the league versus big men.
Elfrid Payton (suspension) will be out one game due to an altercation against the Grizzlies on Wednesday. Dennis Smith Jr. could see increased playing time with him unavailable.
Carmelo Anthony (personal) missed the game on Friday in Los Angeles. Trevor Ariza could get a few extra shot attempts if he were to sit out again.
Rui Hachimura (groin) is expected to make his return after missing over a month. He will most likely be on a minutes restriction leaving the Washington front court a tough one to figure out.
Kristaps Porzingis (rest) is out, which could send minutes toward Maxi Kleber and Willie Cauley-Stein.
Elite Players
Damian Lillard ($10,200) has been nothing short of remarkable. Scoring 70 or more fantasy points in his last five games, he shows no signs of slowing down. The Jazz tend to be one if the stingier defences in the league but cough up 50 plus fantasy points per game to the point guard position. Lillard remains under priced in relation to his recent production.
Anthony Davis ($9,300) went nuclear Friday night, posting almost 80 fantasy points in a loss to the Trailblazers. He gets a price decrease here facing a Sacramento team bottom of the league (49.1%) in rebounding efficiency. Despite being on a back to back, the Kentucky product should have his way in the paint versus vs Dwayne Dedmon and the hapless Kings.
Kyrie Irving ($9,100) had an up and down January, but seems to be finding his groove again coming off a massive 71 fantasy point outing against Chicago. He gets an even better match up here taking on a Washington team top 10 in the league in pace (105.4) and have given up 136 points to opponents over their last three games. Combine that with a stellar 33.6% usage rate, it has all the ingredients for the Brooklyn superstar to reach his ceiling and then some.
Expected Chalk and Other Targets
LaMarcus Aldridge ($7,200) has been out the last two games with a thumb injury. If he can go, it would be a dream spot for the big man, as the Hornets give up over 40 fantasy points per game to the center position and rank bottom five in rebounding efficiency (48.6%). Keep an eye on his status heading into lock.
Donovan Mitchell ($7,000) had a rough out outing against Denver. He enters this match up versus Portland rested and at his lowest price of the season leaving enormous upside. Scoring over 40 fantasy points his prior three games this sets up well for the Jazz point guard to bounce back in a big way.
Key Values
Mitchell Robinson ($5,100) has seen over 25 minutes in his last two games and with rumblings of Bobby Portis potentially being traded or sent to the G League, it could leave Robinson all the front court work he can handle making him a solid streaming option in the short term.
Marvin Williams ($3,400) may benefit if PJ Washington is ultimately ruled out. He has shown 30-fantasy-point upside when playing 20 minutes or more this season. The Spurs are also one of the worst rebounding teams in the league. So be sure to keep close tabs on the status of Washington as we get closer to tip.
