This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
CHI vs. IND (-1.5), O/U: 224.5
LAL vs. TOR (-2.5), O/U: 215.5
NO vs. ATL (-3.5), O/U: 225.5
PHI (-1) vs. BOS, O/U: 223
MEM vs. MIA (-5), O/U: 217.5
DET vs. DEN (-13.5), O/U: 219.5
MIL (-6.5) vs. GS, O/U: 233.5
POR vs. LAC (-5.5), O/U: 226
Tuesday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EDT and includes eight games. Injury news will have a significant impact on lineup construction again, and the Pelicans situation will be especially important to monitor as they've been a popular source of value over the past week and we could have multiple value options again tonight depending on who starts. The TOR-LAL matchup features the lowest total on the slate, but it's still an appealing game to target for value as both teams are short-handed.
Injuries to Monitor
Zion Williamson (thumb), Brandon Ingram (toe), Steven Adams (concussion): QUESTIONABLE
Williamson and Ingram have missed three consecutive games while Adams took a blow to the head Sunday, and all three are listed as questionable for tonight. James Johnson, Naji Marshall and Wes Iwundu have played most of the minutes at forward while Jaxson Hayes and Willy Hernangomez have seen extra run at center.
Domantas Sabonis (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Sabonis sat out Saturday due to a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable. Doug McDermott got the start at power forward in his absence.
Fred VanVleet (hip): QUESTIONABLE
VanVleet missed last night's game with a strained hip flexor and is listed as questionable for tonight. DeAndre' Bembry got the start in his place while Malachi Flynn saw extended run off the bench.
Malcolm Brogdon (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Brogdon has missed consecutive games due to a sore hip and is listed as questionable. Edmond Sumner has been starting while T.J. McConnell has seen extra run off the bench.
Andre Drummond (toe): QUESTIONABLE
Drummond has missed consecutive games with a toe injury and listed as questionable. Marc Gasol has been starting at center in his absence.
Jusuf Nurkic (knee): OUT
Nurkic will sit out due to knee inflammation. Enes Kanter will start in his place.
Elite Players
Forward:
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,700)
Giannis busted out of a mini-slump with 72.5 DK points last time out against Portland. Tonight's matchup against Golden State is another good spot. The game should be up-tempo and the Warriors have no answers for Giannis on the defensive end. He's my preferred spend-up option on the slate, a step above the other elite players given his greater likelihood for a ceiling game.
Center:
Joel Embiid ($10,200)
Embiid put up 41 DK points while seeing 29 minutes Saturday in his first game since March 12th. I would expect a bit more run tonight in what should be a competitive matchup against the Celtics. He always has the upside to be slate's highest scorer, even with low-30s minutes.
Nikola Jokic ($10,500) is the other expensive option at center. He's failed to reach 54 DK points in four consecutive games, as a healthy roster and the addition of Aaron Gordon seem to have sapped his once sky-high usage. I don't expect him to be very popular tonight and he's a fine contrarian play for that reason, but I don't myself getting there, especially as the Nuggets are 13.5 favorites against the Pistons.
Guard:
Stephen Curry ($9,700) and Damian Lillard ($9,400)
Curry has scored at least 49 DK points in three consecutive games and he will need to be good tonight if the Warriors are going to stay competitive with the Bucks. A matchup against Jrue Holiday is always tough and that has me leaning toward Lillard. He's topped 53 DK points in two of his last three games and has seen a significant drop in salary, as he was valued at 11K just a couple weeks ago. He could go a bit overlooked tonight in a matchup against the rival Clippers.
Expected Chalk
Malachi Flynn ($3,900) and DeAndre' Bembry ($3,000), if Fred VanVleet is out
Bembry is coming off 35.25 DK points in 30 minutes last night as he got the start in place of the injured VanVleet while Flynn put up 43 DK points while seeing 34 minutes off the bench. Both players are very cheap and if VanVleet sits again, I'd expect them to be the most popular on the slate.
New Orleans Pelicans
Williamson, Ingram and Adams are listed as questionable. If all three or even a combination of two were to miss tonight's game, Willy Hernangomez ($4,200) and Jaxson Hayes ($4,100) would be in line for expanded roles again. Hayes got the start last time out alongside Adams while Hernangomez put up 33 DK points in 26 minutes off the bench. James Johnson ($5,200) has played well in three consecutive games, and even with the salary bump he'd be a good option if Zion and Ingram sit. Keep an eye on news as the starting lineup will dictate popularity.
Value Picks
Pascal Siakam ($8,200)
Siakam was disappointing Monday and that might cause him to go somewhat overlooked tonight. He's topped 50 DK points in three of his last seven games for the undermanned Raptors and would get an extra bump if VanVleet sits again in a favorable matchup against the Lakers.
Lonzo Ball ($7,500), depending on Zion and Ingram news
Ball is coming off 52.5 DK points as he played 37 minutes Sunday in his return following a two-week absence due to a hip injury. His salary is up slightly, but he'd be in line for all the usage he can handle again if Williamson and Ingram sit. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) has already been ruled out while Kira Lewis (calf) is doubtful, meaning Lonzo should safely see significant minutes.
Dennis Schroder ($6,900) and Kyle Kuzma ($6,800)
Schroder's salary has dropped under 7K after the Lakers were involved in three consecutive blowouts. He's scored at least 40 DK points in four of his last six games and now he's undervalued in a favorable matchup against the Raptors. The same can be said for Kuzma, who has topped 40 DK points in two of his last four. Both guys have upside in a game that should be competitive.
Draymond Green ($6,700)
Green has scored at least 44 DK points in consecutive games and his salary has dropped back under 7K in what should be an uptempo game against the Bucks.
Enes Kanter ($6,000)
Kanter will once again start in place of Nurkic. He's coming off 43.75 DK points in 30 minutes last time out and his salary is down after being relegated to the bench since Nurkic returned.
