This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Five games await on the DraftKings main slate for today. We have four teams (Jazz, Hawks, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers) entering the day on a back-to-back. As we get closer to the playoffs, predictability gets a little more difficult with teams opting to rest players or teams that have nothing to play for seeing what they have in various players for next season. It makes rotations uncertain and forces you to follow news all day, but that could also mean a slight edge if you're monitoring when others may not be.
Slate Overview
UTA (-8) at DET O/U 211
DEN (-8) at CLE O/U 218.5
MEM (-6.5) vs ATL O/U 233
These teams just squared off this past Sunday with the Hawks getting blown out at home. The scoring from a fantasy standpoint was spread out for both teams but this time around Trae Young comes into the game questionable. His status will definitely be something to watch but either way there should be some solid plays to be had here as these are two of the fastest pace teams in the league. I would also note that while the Hawks allow the second most (119.2) points per game to opponents, the Grizzlies have cranked up the defense recently and have held teams to 96 points per game over their last three as they try and cling on to the eight seed in the West.
PHI (-2) at GSW O/U 225.5
The return of Steph Curry has given this Warriors team something to be excited about in an otherwise disappointing season. The Sixers continue to be without its two star players in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, leaving the team's production to come from many different sources. Still, Tobias Harris remains the go-to guy to carry the offense and should be relied on heavily here. The Warriors side of things is kind of a take your pick situation, although Curry sitting at 8k is an incredibly enticing option given his upside.
POR (-3) vs SAC O/U 230
The Trail Blazers face the Kings on a back-to-back in the slate's second-highest total. There is a lot riding on this game as both teams look to make a late-season push for the eight spot in the West. Damian Lillard came back to action after missing multiple games and definitely has looked rusty, but should be all systems go for this one. I like the idea of a full game stack here, with so much on the line we should see plenty of scoring with the usual suspects in Lillard, McCollum and Whiteside being the main targets for Portland and Fox, Bjelica and Bogdanovic for Sacramento.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Trae Young (illness) missed the game yesterday against Washington but could return here versus the Grizzlies. Jeff Teague received the start, but he really wasn't able to fully take advantage, as we saw Cam Reddish come back from injury and pour in 28 real points on his way to a 35.25-fantasy-point outing.
Andre Drummond (calf) remains questionable after missing the last two games. Larry Nance has stepped up in his place and is coming off a 53-fantasy-point explosion against the Celtics. He would presumably remain in the starting lineup if Drummond is unable to go.
Tristan Thompson (knee) has also been sidelined sitting out the last three games. His availability, like Drummond's, factors into the viability of Larry Nance. Be sure to monitor his status closer to tip off.
Draymond Green (knee) is questionable after missing six of his last seven games. Eric Paschall has been the biggest beneficiary in his absence. While coming off the bench he's scored over 30 fantasy points in five straight games.
Richaun Holmes (shoulder) has a chance to return here after being out for a month. He would most likely be on a minutes restriction, so keep an eye on his status as it's the last game on the slate. Harry Giles would continue to get the bulk of the minutes at center if he's unable to suit up.
Elite Players
Trae Young ($10,100) even despite being questionable, if he can go, gets one of the best matchups of the slate. The Grizzlies play at the seventh-fastest (106.2) pace in the league and give up 56 fantasy points per game to opposing point guards. Conversely, the Hawks play at the fourth-fastest (107.6) pace so this should be an up-and-down track meet, but Atlanta just played last night so keeping this game close would be the biggest factor in Young achieving his ceiling.
Hassan Whiteside ($8,900) gets a slight price decrease here. As I mentioned before, this game will be highly competitive with both teams vying for the eight seed in the West. The Kings have been horrendous on the glass with a 48% rebounding efficiency rating. Whiteside averages a double-double on the season and should have a great opportunity to do that here. He's put up over 40 fantasy points in three games against the Kings this year.
Expected Chalk and Other Targets
Stephen Curry ($8,000) saw 27 minutes in his first game back from a lengthy absence due to a hand injury. While he looked a little rusty, he was still able to drop 42 fantasy points in limited minutes. If he can get to the 30-minute mark here, he has 55 fantasy point upside and should be the focal point of the offense facing a Sixers team allowing almost 50 fantasy points per game to opposing point guards.
Jonas Valanciunas' ($7,300) upside always comes down to minutes, as he hasn't topped 30 in his last three games. That has partially been due to blowouts, but he is set to face the Hawks who are the worst team in the league against centers, allowing 48 fantasy points per game to the position. On the season, they are tied with the Bulls for second to last (48%) in rebounding efficiency. Valanciunas was on his way to a monster outing versus the Hawks just last weekend, so just keeping the game close will be the biggest factor to his success.
Key Values
Mike Conley ($4,900) has been fantastic as of late, seeing over 30 minutes in four of his last five, while averaging around 30 fantasy points per game in that span. This isn't the best matchup, as both teams are in the bottom half of the league in pace, but at a $500 discount he offers 40-fantasy-point upside. The Pistons also have allowed 57 fantasy points per game to point guards on the season.
Mike Scott ($4,300) has been filling in with Simmons and Embiid out. He's flashed 30-fantasy-point upside while seeing 25 minutes or more over his last three. The Warriors have also been bad in the paint with a 53.4% rebounding efficiency rating over their last three. This could allow Scott to grab a few more rebounds, increasing his chance at a double-double, and he's secured six or more boards since entering the starting lineup.
