This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We have eight games dialed up on DraftKings for Tuesday. While it's hard to predict the motivation some players will have after the tragic loss of Laker great Kobe Bryant, the games will be played, and fantasy points will be scored. So under these unusual circumstances, we can still use the data available to break down these matchups as best as possible.
Slate Overview
CHA (-1) vs. NYK O/U 210
PHI (-13) vs. GSW O/U 213
MIA (-3) vs. BOS O/U 216
NO (-6) at CLE O/U 233
The Cavaliers enter this game on a back to back. They get a nice pace bump here as the Pelicans are top five (105.6) in the league. With Zion Williamson seeing his minutes increase each game since his debut, he remains under-priced in relation to his ceiling. Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Collin Sexton continue to be the top targets for the Cleveland side.
TOR (-12) vs. ATL O/U 233
Trae Young and his massive 35.7 percent usage rate head into Toronto, but outside of him you can take a shot on John Collins as he should have his way with Marc Gasol down low. On the Raptors side the usual heavy lifters are always in play, including Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet.
DEN (PK) at MEM O/U 226
The Nuggets play at a league-low pace of 99.8, but take on a team top five in the league at 105. This game should feature a few nice pieces, as most are affordable outside of Nikola Jokic.
MIL (-16) vs. WAS O/U 240
With the highest total on the board but also the largest spread, it might make sense to use a few cheap players here that could see increased run in the event of a blowout. Troy Brown for the Wizards and Donte DiVincenzo for the Bucks are solid candidates in that scenario, as both average around 25 minutes per game already.
DAL (-6) vs. PHX O/U 228
The Suns and Mavericks both average over 110 points per game. This one should be fast paced with plenty of scoring to go around. Luka Doncic and Devin Booker remain the top producers for their respective teams, with Deandre Ayton for Phoenix and Kristaps Porzingis for Dallas coming in as nice secondary options.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Joel Embiid (finger) is listed as questionable. He practiced in full Monday so there is a chance he could get cleared to return. Ben Simmons has been effectively carrying the team during his absence.
Jayson Tatum (groin) is listed as doubtful. Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward all stand to see increased usage with Tatum out versus Miami.
Ricky Rubio (ankle) is questionable versus Dallas. If he were to sit, Devin Booker would have more responsibility as a distributor, which would increase his overall ceiling.
Kendrick Nunn (Achilles) missed Monday's game and is in jeopardy of sitting out Tuesday. Tyler Herro has seen his role expand in his absence but hasn't fully capitalized on the opportunity.
Elite Players
Luka Doncic ($12,000) continues his MVP campaign in a matchup against the Suns. Boasting the highest usage rate in the league, he remains a triple-double threat every night, and facing a Phoenix team that is top 10 in pace (104.3) should allow him to operate at an elite level.
Nikola Jokic ($10,200) is above 10k for only the second time in the last month. Jokic faces a speedy Memphis team that likes to get up and down the court, creating more possessions in which the Nuggets big man can dominate in the paint, as the Grizzlies give up almost 40 fantasy points per game to the center position. He has scored over 50 fantasy points in five of his last six games, making him a strong play to anchor your lineups.
Expected Chalk and Other Targets
Deandre Ayton ($8,200) has been playing solid minutes since returning from his lengthy suspension. With the Mavericks having lost Dwight Powell for the year, they acquired Willie Cauley-Stein in a trade with the Warriors. No matter who they throw out there in an attempt to stop Ayton, it will undoubtedly be a mismatch the Arizona product should have no problem taking advantage of.
Kemba Walker ($7,800) has dominated with Jayson Tatum missing the last two games, scoring over 50 fantasy points in both. Despite facing a stingy Heat defense, Walker should absorb most of the 27 percent usage vacated by Tatum's absence should he sit again.
Zion Williamson ($7,200) played 27 minutes against the Celtics on his way to a 39.3 fantasy point outing. He has looked sensational so far on the court, and if he can hit the 30-minute mark facing a leaky Cavaliers defense, his production should exceed that price tag as Cleveland gives up 43 fantasy points per game to power forwards.
Key Values
Tyler Herro ($5,200) has been getting extended run with Nunn on the shelf. Playing 30 or more minutes in his last three games, he's gone 11-for-24 from behind the arc in that time. If his shot keeps falling, he could make for one of the better values on the slate.
Marc Gasol ($4,900) saw 36 minutes against the Spurs on Sunday, coming up two points short of a double-double. Here he gets the second-worst team in rebounding efficiency (48.1 percent) in the Hawks. This should allow him to grab a few extra boards and increasing his upside, as long as he continues seeing solid minutes.
