This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
WAS vs. ATL (-6.5), O/U: 240.5
BOS (-9.5) vs. CLE, O/U: 219.5
SA vs. BKN (-4.5), O/U: 233.5
NO vs. DAL (-10.5), O/U: 224.5
POR vs. UTA (-3.5), O/U: 235.5
HOU vs. LAL (-13.5), O/U: 223.5
The WAS-ATL matchup is the most appealing game on the slate. The two teams combined for 249 points when they met on Monday, and both have something to play for again tonight. Russell Westbrook ($12,400) and his inflated salary will be a major decision point, while the continued absence of Bradley Beal opens up some viable cheap value. Any Hawks starters would make for decent run-back options with a fast-paced matchup against a bad Wizards defense that's always an ideal spot to target.
The HOU-LAL matchup would be a risky game to target, but the potential upside is considerable. Both teams will be shorthanded, and the Rockets may dress only eight players. Unfortunately, the game tips off at 10:30 p.m. EST -- one hour later than the next closest start-time. It's likely we won't have anywhere to pivot if the news doesn't fall right, but the risk/reward seems worth it on a smaller slate. I'd recommend taking some chances here if you're playing multiple lineups.
Injuries to Monitor
James Harden (hamstring): QUESTIONABLE
Harden is expected to be a game-time decision tonight after missing five weeks due to a hamstring. He will likely be on a minutes restriction if he plays.
Anthony Davis (groin): QUESTIONABLE
Davis is listed as questionable tonight for the second half of a back-to-back due to a groin injury. If he sits, Talen Horton-Tucker and Montrezl Harrell would be in line for extra minutes.
LeBron James (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
James was close to playing yesterday but ultimately sat out, and there is a good chance he makes his return tonight. Kyle Kuzma has been starting at small forward in his place.
Kevin Durant (possible rest): QUESTIONABLE
Durant's status remains uncertain for the second half of a back-to-back tonight. Jeff Green would likely get the start at power forward if Durant sits.
Kyrie Irving (face): QUESTIONABLE
Irving took an elbow to the face yesterday but didn't suffer a concussion, and his status for tonight remains uncertain. James Harden is on track to return, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Kyrie sit.
Bradley Beal (hamstring): OUT
Beal will miss a second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury and will be re-evaluated on Friday. Garrison Mathews started at small forward on Monday, but Chandler Hutchison saw more minutes off the bench.
Kristaps Porzingis (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Porzingis has played in just one of the last 10 games due to a lingering knee injury but could return tonight. Willie Cauley-Stein has been starting at center in his absence.
Christian Wood (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Wood has missed four consecutive games with a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable for tonight. Kelly Olynyk and Kenyon Martin started in the frontcourt last time out.
Brandon Ingram (ankle): DOUBTFUL
Ingram is likely to miss a fourth consecutive game tonight due to a sprained ankle. James Johnson and Naji Marshall have been starting at forward.
Kevin Porter (ankle): OUT
Porter will sit out a fourth consecutive game tonight as he works his way back from a sprained ankle. D.J. Augustin has been starting at point guard while Armoni Brooks and Khyri Thomas have seen extended run off the bench.
Darius Garland (ankle): OUT
Garland will miss a seventh consecutive game tonight due to a sprained ankle. Cedi Osman and Damyean Dotson have gotten starts in his absence.
Dennis Schroder (COVID-19) and Alex Caruso (foot): QUESTIONABLE
The Lakers could be without both of their point guards tonight. Schroder is still working his way through the league's health protocols, while Caruso left yesterday's game due to a foot injury. Ben McLemore, Wesley Matthews and Talen Horton-Tucker are in the line for extra run.
Robert Williams (toe): QUESTIONABLE
Williams missed yesterday's game after aggravating his turf toe injury on Sunday. Tristan Thompson started at center in his place.
Steven Adams (toe): QUESTIONABLE
Adams has missed three consecutive games due to a toe injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Willy Hernangomez has been starting at center while Jaxson Hayes has seen extended run off the bench.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($12,400)
What else is there to say about Westbrook? He's put up a whopping 80+ DK points in four of his last five games. The big news is his salary. After a lot of clamoring on social media, DraftKings has finally given Westbrook a significant salary hike. The $12,400 tag will give people something to think about tonight, but for me, the decision is still pretty simple. He should be at least 13K, there aren't many appealing spend-ups, and there will be enough cheap value. I'll be rostering him, and maybe he even goes slightly overlooked due to the change.
Trae Young ($9,100)
Young has topped 50 DK points in consecutive games, and the Hawks still have motivation to win tonight. The matchup against the Wizards is arguably the most desirable target on the slate. It would make a lot of sense to pair him with Westbrook and hope the game gets into a shootout.
Center:
Clint Capela ($8,600)
With Anthony Davis likely to rest and the Lakers in a blowout spot against the Rockets anyway, there aren't any true spend-up options at center tonight. As I mentioned with Trae Young, the ATL-WAS matchup is a great target, and Capela is coming off 48 DK points when the two teams met on Monday. I heard Rudy Gobert ($8,400) touted around the industry on Monday, and I've heard the same for tonight, but I don't really see the appeal outside of a decent matchup against Portland. Capela isn't a must by any means either, especially if you're paying up for Westbrook, but they would make sense to roster together.
Forward:
Luka Doncic ($10,800)
With the lack of elite options on tonight's smaller slate and Westbrook's salary bump, I understand people wanting to roster Doncic. It won't be me, however. He's failed to reach 40 DK points in three consecutive games and hasn't seen more than 26 minutes in any of them. Kristaps Porzingis might also return and sap some of Doncic's usage. At this stage of the season, the floor isn't as safe, and the ceiling isn't as high. I don't want to jinx it too much, but I'd rather roster almost anyone else.
Jayson Tatum ($9,400)
Tatum put up 56.5 DK points yesterday, and he will continue to see a bump in usage with Jaylen Brown out for the season. The Celtics will be desperate for a win after three consecutive losses, and tonight's matchup against the Cavs should be a nice bounce-back spot.
Expected Chalk
Talen Horton-Tucker ($4,400), if Anthony Davis is out
The Lakers could be without Anthony Davis and Alex Caruso for a matchup against a Rockets defense that won't provide much resistance. Horton-Tucker will be expected to handle some of the playmaking and point guard duties. He dished out 10 assists yesterday on his way to a double-double and 37.25 DK points in 34 minutes. The Lakers play at 10:30 p.m. EST, so whether or not he's chalky might depend on when the injury news hits, but I'd expect him to relatively popular regardless.
Value Picks
Kelly Olynyk ($7,800) and Kenyon Martin ($6,600), if Christian Wood is out
The Rockets will be short on bodies again tonight. Unfortunately, the game tips off on an island at 10:30 p.m. EST, and it's possible we won't have news before the other games lock. Kenyon Martin has seen 39+ minutes in four consecutive games and topped 47 DK points in three of them. Kelly Olynyk has put up 40+ DK points in eight of his last nine games while flashing a ceiling as well. As far as the rest of the Rockets, I'd prefer to take some chances on their younger players and wouldn't worry about D.J. Augustin and Danuel House, as the minutes haven't been there.
Jordan Clarkson ($7,500) and Bojan Bogdanovic ($6,900)
The Jazz are still missing Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley. Clarkson took 33 shots last time out on his way to 54.5 DK points. It's tough to pay $7,500 for a player who comes off the bench, but he's been seeing mid-30s minutes and has topped 44 DK points in three of his last four games. Bogdanovic has been attempting upwards of 20 shots per game, and he's put up 40+ fantasy points in three of his last six. The matchup against the Trail Blazers tonight is one of the more appealing spots on the slate.
Bogdan Bogdanovic ($7,300)
As I mentioned with Trae Young and Clint Capela, the Hawks are in a great spot tonight against the Wizards. Bogdanovic is coming off 44.75 DK points in the same matchup on Monday.
Kevin Love ($5,900)
Love has seen a significant drop in salary, and he should be in line for 30 minutes after resting on Monday. The Cavs are still shorthanded, and he still has enough upside to pay off the affordable tag.
Evan Fournier ($5,500)
Fournier has scored 44.5 and 51.25 DK points in consecutive games, as he's seen a nice bump in usage without Jaylen Brown on the floor. The Celtics still have something to play for, and they have a favorable matchup against the Cavs tonight.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,200)
Caldwell-Pope has put up 29+ DK points in three consecutive games while seeing 35+ minutes in each. The Lakers could be without Anthony Davis and Alex Caruso for a favorable matchup against the Rockets tonight, and some of that usage should go to Caldwell-Pope.
