This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
PHX at PHI (-2), O/U:
IND at ATL (-9), O/U:
BOS (-5.5) at BKN, O/U:
HOU at NOP (-7.5), O/U:
LAC at MEM (-7.5), O/U:
DET at DAL (-11.5), O/U:
NYK at DEN (-7), O/U:
MIL (-4.5) at LAL, O/U: 230.5
ORL at POR (-3.5), O/U:
MIN at SAC, O/U:
The Bucks-Lakers is expected to be a high-scoring matchup and features a few of the top producers in the league, along with good value plays for a well-rounded lineup.
After big performances in their last game, LeBron James and Anthony Davis look set to lead the way for the Lakers. Malik Monk has been hot offensively and comes at an affordable cost, while Trevor Ariza and Stanley Johnson are set to pick up added value with Carmelo Anthony sidelined.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on a tear for the Bucks and is well worth his salary. Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis make good mid-tier options, while Pat Connaughton and Donte DiVincenzo are priced for value.
Injuries to Monitor
PHX - Cameron Payne (wrist): Questionable
Landry Shamet (ankle): OUT
Cameron Johnson will continue to see more action off the bench. Elfrid Payton is up for a boost if Payne remains out.
PHI - Matisse Thybulle (shoulder): Questionable
Shake Milton (back): OUT
Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz are in line for added responsibility.
IND - Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles), Isaiah Jackson (ankle), Terry Taylor (illness): Questionable
Myles Turner (foot): OUT
Torrey Craig will continue to start in place of Turner. Chris Duarte will have to step up if Brogdon is out. Goga Bitadze is up for a bigger role if Taylor and/or Jackson are out.
ATL - Danilo Gallinari (hamstring), Lou Williams (hamstring): Questionable
Bogdan Bogdanovic will see more opportunity off the bench.
BKN - Nicolas Claxton (hamstring), James Harden (hamstring): Questionable
LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle), Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle), Kyrie Irving (not injury related): OUT
Patty Mills, Kessler Edwards and James Johnson are expected to start. Blake Griffin should see significant action if Claxton is out along with Aldridge in the frontcourt. Cam Thomas and DeAndre' Bembry will have to step up if Harden is out.
HOU - Eric Gordon (heel): Questionable
Alperen Sengun is expected to pick up another start if Gordon is out. Garrison Mathews would also see extra action.
NOP - Garrett Temple (COVID-19): Questionable
Willy Hernangomez (COVID-19): OUT
Jaxson Hayes is up for a boost without Hernangomez. Nickeil Alexander-Walker could pick up more opportunity if Temple remains out.
MEM - Dillon Brooks (ankle)
Ziaire Williams will continue to start, while De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson step up off the bench.
DET - Cade Cunningham (hip): Questionable
Josh Jackson (back): OUT
Killian Hayes and Frank Jackson are up more action in the backcourt.
DAL - Tim Hardaway (foot), Kristaps Porzingis (knee), Maxi Kleber (knee): OUT
Dwight Powell will have major role in the frontcourt without Porzingis and Kleber. Reggie Bullock will continue to get more responsibility in place of Hardaway.
NYK - Quentin Grimes (knee): Questionable
Immanuel Quickley will be up for more action off the bench.
DEN - Austin Rivers (hip): Questionable
Facundo Campazzo will have to step up.
MIL - George Hill (neck): Questionable
Donte DiVincenzo is in for a boost if Hill is out.
LAL - LeBron James (knee), Anthony Davis (wrist): Probable
Dwight Howard (back): Questionable
Carmelo Anthony (hamstring): OUT
DeAndre Jordan will have to step up if Howard is out. Trevor Ariza will see more action with Anthony sidelined.
POR - Eric Bledsoe (achilles), Damian Lillard (abdomen), Cody Zeller (knee), Larry Nance (knee): OUT
Anfernee Simons will continue to start in place of Lillard. CJ Elleby and Tony Snell are each also up for another start.
MIN - Naz Reid (knee), Taurean Prince (ankle), Josh Okogie (quadriceps), D'Angelo Russell (leg), Patrick Beverley (ankle): Questionable
With multiple backcourt players potentially out, Malik Beasley and Jaylen Nowell could be up for big minutes.
SAC - Marvin Bagley (ankle), De'Aaron Fox (ankle): Questionable
Terence Davis (wrist): OUT
Davion Mitchell will continue to get a boost in the backcourt. Maurice Harkless and Chimezie Metu will pick up more playing time if Bagley is out.
Elite Players
Guards
Ja Morant ($10,100)
Morant is averaging 32.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.2 steals over the last 10 games while topping 50 DK points six times, including three consecutive outings with at least 60 DK points. He has a good matchup against the Clippers' backcourt.
Brandon Ingram ($9,200)
The Pelicans play host to the Rockets, who are giving up a league-high 117.0 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot a league-high 47.8 percent from the field. Ingram is coming off a huge game where he logged 63.8 DK points, and he's topped 40 DK points in seven of his last 10 games.
Forwards/Centers
LeBron James ($10,500)
James looked great in the Lakers' last game with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in 40 minutes of action. He will have to come up huge once again to give his team a shot against the defending champs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,800)
Giannis is averaging 31.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.2 blocks over the last five games, while he's topped 52 DK points four times. He should thrive against the Lakers, who are giving up an average of 112.3 points per game, which is fifth most in the league.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,200)
Towns is averaging 23.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games. The Kings are giving up an average of 114.5 points per game, which is second most in the league.
Expected Chalk
Luka Doncic ($12,200)
Doncic should take advantage of a matchup against the Pistons, who are allowing opponents to shoot 47.2 percent from the field, which is fourth highest in the league. He's averaging 30.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 10.1 assists and 1.4 steals over the last 10 games, and he's topped 70 DK points five times over that span. Doncic has logged a triple-double in four of the last six games.
Value Picks
De'Anthony Melton ($4,700)
Melton is averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals over the last 10 games, and he's topped 30 DK points five times over that span. He will continue to see added playing time with Brooks sidelined.
Kevin Huerter ($4,300)
Huerter is averaging 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists while starting the last 10 games. He will have a chance at extra minutes if Gallinari and Williams are sidelined.
CJ Elleby ($3,400)
Elleby is up for another start for the short-handed Trail Blazers. He is coming off a quiet outing, but he logged 22.5 Dk points in the game prior.
Kyle Anderson ($4,400)
Anderson is averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals over the last 10 games. He continues to fill a key role for the Grizzlies and matches up well with the Clippers' second unit.
Dwight Powell ($4,700)
Powell has to fill major minutes in the Mavs' frontcourt. He is averaging 9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals while starting the last four games.
