This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
CHA (-6.5) vs. DET, O/U: 215.5
PHX (-12.5) vs. CLE, O/U: 218.5
BKN vs. MIL (-2.5), O/U: 242.5
DAL vs. MIA (-3.5), O/U: 215.5
GS vs. NO (-1.5), O/U: 234.5
SAC (-4.5) vs. OKC, O/U: 229.5
TOR vs. LAC (-9.5), O/U: 220.5
The BKN-MIL matchup stands out as the most appealing target on the slate tonight as it features a massive 242.5 total and premium spend-up options in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant. Both players had big games when the teams met Sunday in a game that had a playoff-type atmosphere, and the rematch tonight should have a similar feel.
Another rematch that will draw some attention is the GS-NO matchup. It was a popular target Monday and I'd expect the same tonight as both teams play at a fast pace and have viable options at different salary ranges.
The SAC-OKC matchup is a reasonable target considering that the short-handed Kings will be a popular source of value, but there isn't much to like on the Thunder side. I think it makes more sense to roster a couple of cheap Kings and spend salary elsewhere.
Injuries to Monitor
Kristaps Porzingis (knee): DOUBTFUL
Porzingis has missed five of the last six games due to knee soreness and is listed as doubtful. Dwight Powell has been starting at center in his place.
Darius Garland (ankle): OUT
Garland will miss a second consecutive game due to a sprained ankle. Cedi Osman got the start in absence last time out.
Fred VanVleet (hip): QUESTIONABLE
VanVleet missed Sunday's game with a hip injury and is listed as questionable. Malachi Flynn started at shooing guard in his place.
Tyrese Haliburton (knee): OUT
Haliburton will miss at least tonight's game after suffering a knee injury Sunday. Delon Wright is expected to get the start at point guard.
Harrison Barnes (groin): DOUBTFUL
Barnes is likely to miss a fourth consecutive game. Marvin Bagley should get another start at power forward.
OG Anunoby (calf): DOUBTFUL
Anunoby missed Sunday's game due to a calf injury and is listed as doubtful. Stanley Johnson started at power forward in his place.
Kelly Oubre (wrist): OUT
Oubre will miss a fourth consecutive game due to a wrist injury. Kent Bazemore has been starting at small forward in his absence.
Devonte' Graham (knee): OUT
Graham played through his knee injury Sunday but has been ruled out for tonight. LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier have been starting in the back court.
Steven Adams (toe): QUESTIONABLE
Adams has missed three consecutive games due to a sprained toe and his status for tonight remains uncertain. Willy Hernangomez has been starting at center in his place.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have been resting Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, Cory Joseph and Wayne Ellington as they attempt to tank their way to the bottom. They're playing the second half of a back-to-back and that puts the status of Killian Hayes and Hamidou Diallo in question as well. Keep an eye out for news and starting lineups.
Elite Players
Guard:
Stephen Curry ($10,400)
Curry has put up 60-plus DK points in two of his last three games and he's attempted 52 three-pointers in the same span. He's seen a $400 drop in salary and the Warriors will run it back tonight against the Pelicans in what should be one of the better spots to target on the slate.
Center:
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,700)
Giannis is coming off 74.5 DK points last time out as he carried the Bucks to a big win over the Nets. He's scored 60-plus fantasy points in three of his last four games and tonight's game features at 242.5 total. He's my preferred spend-up option on the slate, regardless of position.
Zion Williamson ($9,900)
Zion seems a bit expensive on this slate as he's topped 50 DK points just three times in his last 10 games. His ceiling is very dependent on real points, as evidenced by the fact that he's recorded only one double-double in his last 10 while averaging less than one steal and one block per game for the season. He won't be overly popular despite a favorable matchup against the Warriors but makes sense in tournaments as a leverage play or in a game stack.
Forward:
Kevin Durant ($9,300)
Durant topped 60 DK points for the second consecutive game in Sunday's loss to the Bucks. His salary is still too low for his role in the offense without James Harden on the floor. The Nets and Bucks rematch looks like the most appealing spot to target on the slate, as the game has a 242.5 total and should be competitive.
Luka Doncic ($10,800)
Doncic has scored at least 60 DK points in five of his last 10 games as he seems to be hitting regular ceilings again in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis. Tonight's matchup against the Heat isn't ideal, but Doncic is basically matchup-proof and would provide leverage as a contrarian spend-up option with the likes of Giannis, Curry and Durant expected to be more popular.
Expected Chalk
Delon Wright ($5,100)
Wright is expected to get the start at point guard now that the Kings will be without Tyrese Haliburton and De'Aaron Fox. There isn't a plethora of value in the 3K range like we've seen on most slates recently, and Wright projects for low-30s minutes against the Thunder. I'd expect him to be quite chalky assuming he's in the starting lineup.
Marvin Bagley ($5,000), if Harrison Barnes is out
Bagley put up 40.5 DK points in 34 minutes last time out as he got the start in place of the injured Harrison Barnes. Assuming Barnes is out again, the Kings will be without three regular starters for a favorable matchup against the Thunder. Bagley should see big usage in this spot and has considerable upside for such an affordable salary.
Value Picks
Pascal Siakam ($7,900) and Kyle Lowry ($7,400), if Fred VanVleet is out
Siakam is coming off his best game of the season Sunday when he put up 70.75 DK points in a big win over the Lakers, and it's not often we see his salary under 8K. Lowry put up 63 DK points in the same game and he's still a bit of bargain as well. Tonight's matchup against the Clippers isn't great, and that's why I think their viability hinges on the status of VanVleet as both get a usage bump in his absence.
Buddy Hield ($7,300)
Hield will almost surely get a nice bump with the news that Haliburton has been ruled out. He's already been playing his best basketball of the season in the absence of Fox as he's topped 40 DK points in four of his last six games, and the Kings have a favorable matchup against the Thunder.
Draymond Green ($7,100)
In Monday's article, I highlighted Green for his triple-double upside in a plus matchup against the Pelicans. He put up 61.25 DK points as he recorded his third triple-double in six games. The Warriors and Pelicans will run it back tonight and Green's salary increased by only $100.
LaMelo Ball ($7,100)
Ball has scored 35 or more DK points in both games since returning from a long injury layoff and saw his minutes increase to 30 last time out. He should get a bump with Graham ruled out and the Hornets are in a nice spot against the Pistons.
Willy Hernangomez ($5,100), if Steven Adams is out
Hernangomez has recorded double-doubles in two of three games since entering the starting lineup in place of the injured Adams. He was disappointing Monday against the Warriors but so were all of the Pelicans. Assuming the rematch is more competitive, it's a good spot for a bounce-back.
Detroit Pistons, if they rest their starters
Assuming Grant, Plumlee, Joseph and McGruder sit, whoever starts would be viable as they all have affordable salaries but my preferred two are Saddiq Bey ($6,000) and Hamidou Diallo ($4,000).
