This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We have five games featured on the DraftKings main slate. The Spurs are the only team on a back-to-back so all healthy players should be rested and ready to go. Despite its smallish size there are three juicy matchups to choose from. However, focusing on a game that may get overlooked could create some much needed edge with the masses gravitating towards the obvious tilts.
Slate Overview
WAS (-3) vs CHI O/U 230
The Bulls take on the Wizards in what should be a nice pace bump for Chicago as Washington plays at the sixth-fastest pace in the league. Neither team is known for playing much defense with the Bulls giving up 124 points over their last three and the Wizards giving up a league-high 120 points per game on the season. The usual suspects in Zach LaVine for Chicago and Bradley Beal for Washington should be the main targets here to lead the charge for their respective teams.
LAC (-1) at PHI O/U 225
NOP (-2.5) vs POR O/U 240
This game features the highest total on the board as the Blazers head into New Orleans. We should see a highly competitive matchup with both teams allowing close to 115 points per contest and the Pelicans second in the league (107.9) in pace. The Trail Blazers may even have a little extra motivation as they have lost both games against the Pelicans this season.
OKC (-6.5) vs SAS O/U 220.5
HOU (-3) vs BOS O/U 231
The nightcap showcases an East versus West battle between the Celtics and Rockets. This may be one of those better real-life games than fantasy, despite both teams being loaded with talent. The Celtics are a strong defensive unit, second in the league, only allowing 105.5 points to opponents while the Rockets are second in the league in scoring at 118.2 points per game. Something has to give here.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Brandon Ingram (ankle) didn't practice Monday but has a good chance to play against Portland. The matchup would a great one for him, as he's averaged 44 fantasy points in two previous meeting versus the Trailblazers this season.
DeMar DeRozan (back) was a late scratch Monday night in Denver. He remains questionable as the Spurs face the Thunder on a back-to-back. Lonnie Walker stepped into the starting five but wasn't very effective as teammate LaMarcus Aldridge did all the work, pouring in 50 fantasy points in a loss to the Nuggets.
Elite Players
Bradley Beal ($9,500) has clearly been the main scoring threat for the Wizards all season. He's been playing minutes in the mid to high 30's over his last seven games, while commanding a massive 33.9 percent usage rate. Targeting a team with one superstar can be a strategic play as you can predict where the majority of the production will come from. He's also is facing a team giving up 55 fantasy points per game to shooting guards.
Staying in the same game we get a similar situation as Beal, with Zach LaVine ($8,200) being the focal point of the Bulls offense. He's averaged 47 fantasy points in two previous meetings versus the Wizards and has 70 fantasy point upside any given night. He should have plenty of room to operate as Washington plays little to no defense, allowing 116 points to opponents over their last three.
Expected Chalk and Other Targets
LaMarcus Aldridge ($6,700) has averaged over 50 fantasy points in two prior meetings against OKC and should find similar success again, with the Thunder sitting middle of the road (49.7 percent) in rebounding efficiency.
While his backcourt mate Damian Lillard has been churning out MVP-worthy performances, we've seen C.J. McCollum ($6,400) fall by the wayside most nights. He gets a nice matchup here against the Pelicans, who play at the second-fastest pace in the league and allow 60 fantasy points per game to shooting guards. Plus with the self proclaimed "Dame stopper" in Jrue Holiday on the court, it could allow McCollum to thrive if he's able to get his shot to start falling.
Key Values
With his price under 6k for the first time in a month, Danilo Gallinari ($5,800) faces a Spurs team giving up over 45 fantasy points to the small forward/power forward positions. They also allow 13 made three-point shots per game and are in the bottom half of the league (49.4 percent) in rebounding efficiency, all of which should ensure Gallinari has a solid floor and give him a chance to reach his ceiling.
Seeing minutes in the 30's over his last two games, Gary Trent ($4,400) has been a tremendous value while running the second unit. Flashing 40 fantasy point upside at times, he makes for a solid value option as long as his price remains under 5k.
