This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BOS (-9.5) vs. ORL, O/U: 218.5
POR (-10.5) vs. CLE, O/U: 226.5
MEM (-4.5) vs. MIN, O/U: 235.5
PHI (-14.5) vs. HOU, O/U: 224.5
PHX (-1.5) vs. ATL, O/U: 229.5
SAC vs. IND (-5.5), O/U: 239.5
WAS vs. MIL (-6.5), O/U: 242.5
NY vs. DEN (-3.5), O/U: 215.5
SA vs. UTA (-7.5), O/U: 222.5
The WAS-MIL matchup will be a popular target tonight, and rightfully so, as it features the highest total on the slate and the top spend-up options in Russell Westbrook and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Keep an eye out for news with the Bucks playing the second half of a back-to-back.
The SAC-IND matchup is arguably the best spot on the slate, as both teams are shorthanded for a game that should be fast-paced and competitive. The Kings were the source of popular value yesterday, and that's likely to be the case again while Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert would make for elite spend-up options if Malcolm Brogdon is ruled out again.
The MEM-MIN matchup could go somewhat overlooked tonight, but it features a 235.5 total and viable options on both sides who aren't likely to be popular. Despite its low total, the NY-DEN matchup is also appealing. Both teams have something to play for. The Nuggets are shorthanded, and the Knicks play a condensed rotation.
Injuries to Monitor
De'Aaron Fox (COVID-19 protocols): QUESTIONABLE
Fox has been sidelined since April 23rd but is nearing a return, and his status for tonight is uncertain. Delon Wright will be in line for another start if Fox doesn't return tonight.
Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring): QUESTIONABLE
Brogdon has missed consecutive games due to a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Doug McDermott has been starting in his absence.
Jaylen Brown (ankle): OUT
Brown will miss at least tonight's game due to an ankle injury. Evan Fournier will likely get the start at small forward in his place.
Darius Garland (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Garland missed yesterday's game with a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable for tonight. Cedi Osman got the start in his place.
Tyrese Haliburton (knee): OUT
Haliburton will be sidelined for the rest of the season but fortunately avoided serious damage to his knee. Delon Wright and Buddy Hield started in the backcourt last time out.
Harrison Barnes (groin): QUESTIONABLE
Barnes has missed four consecutive games due to a groin injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Marvin Bagley has been starting at power forward in his place.
Mike Conley (hamstring): OUT
Conley will be sidelined for a fifth consecutive game tonight as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Joe Ingles and Royce O'Neale have been starting in the backcourt, while Jordan Clarkson has seen extended run off the bench.
Norman Powell (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Powell played through the same knee injury on Monday and is listed as questionable again tonight. If he were to sit, Anfernee Simons and Carmelo Anthony are candidates to see extra minutes.
Will Barton (hamstring) and PJ Dozier (adductor): OUT
Barton will miss his seventh straight game due to a hamstring injury. Dozier has been starting in his place, but he's been ruled out with an adductor strain. Austin Rivers is likely to get the start at shooting guard in their absence.
Nerlens Noel (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Noel missed Monday's game with a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable for tonight. Taj Gibson got the start at center in his place.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($11,000)
Westbrook grabbed 21 rebounds and dished out 24 assists as he put up a massive 81.75 DK points on Monday. It's baffled me that his salary remains fixed at $11,000, and he continues to be a bargain. The Wizards have been playing good basketball and have a marquee matchup against the Bucks. He's the premier spend-up option tonight and continues to be less popular than he should be on most slates.
Center:
Nikola Jokic ($10,700)
Jokic is coming off 56.25 DK points, despite a poor shooting performance and the Nuggets only scoring 89 points in Monday's loss to the Lakers. The Nuggets are now without Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Monte Morris and PJ Dozier. All four of them are scorers, and Jokic will continue to see all the usage he can handle to carry the team in their absence.
PF/C:
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,900)
Giannis has scored 60+ DK points in four of his last five games while seeing upper-30s minutes. Maybe exercise a bit of caution with the Bucks playing the second half of a back-to-back, but they're in a great spot tonight against the Wizards.
Domantas Sabonis ($10,600)
Sabonis has put up a whopping 75.75 and 74.25 DK points in consecutive games since returning from a two-week injury absence. The big jump in salary will lead to him going somewhat overlooked tonight, but the Pacers are in an ideal spot against the shorthanded Kings. He'd be especially appealing if Malcolm Brogdon is ruled out again.
Expected Chalk
Austin Rivers ($3,400), if he starts
The Nuggets are now without PJ Dozier, who had been starting in place of the injured Will Barton, meaning that Austin Rivers is likely to start shooting guard tonight. He should see plenty of run to make value, and I'd expect him to be chalky for such an affordable salary.
Delon Wright ($5,600), if De'Aaron Fox is out
Wright put up 55 DK points yesterday as he started at point guard in place of Tyrese Haliburton. He played 37 minutes, and if De'Aaron Fox remains out, he should see similar run tonight in a pace-up spot against Indiana. He was popular yesterday, and I'd expect the same today.
Value Picks
Buddy Hield ($7,700)
Hield has taken on a larger role as the Kings have been shorthanded. He's scored at least 40 DK points in five of his last seven games, and Sacramento is in a nice spot against Indiana tonight.
Anthony Edwards ($7,400)
Edwards has topped 40 DK points four as his last seven games while taking upwards of 20 shots per game. The Timberwolves are in a pace-up spot against the Grizzlies tonight.
Bojan Bogdanovic ($6,800) and Joe Ingles ($6,700)
Bogdanovic and Ingles will continue to see expanded roles with Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley still sidelined. Recent numbers look underwhelming as the Jazz have been involved in a few blowouts, but they have a favorable matchup against the Spurs tonight in one of two late games on the slate.
Mo Bamba ($5,300), Moritz Wagner ($4,900) and R.J. Hampton ($4,500)
Orlando will be significantly shorthanded again with Terrence Ross, Chuma Okeke, James Ennis, Michael-Carter Williams and Otto Porter ruled out. Bamba, Wagner and Hampton have shown the most upside for their salaries.
Facundo Campazzo ($4,600)
The Nuggets lost another guard after PJ Dozier was injured on Monday. Campazzo put up 34.5 DK points in 37 minutes and should see similar run tonight in what should be a competitive matchup against the Knicks.
Taj Gibson ($3,700), if Nerlens Noel is out
Gibson scored 33.5 DK points in 33 minutes when he started at center in place of the injured Nerlens Noel on Monday. I'd expect him to be relatively popular with such an affordable salary if Noel is out again.
