This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
HOU vs. PHI (-13), O/U:
CHA vs. WAS (-1.5), O/U:
MEM vs. BKN (-7.5), O/U:
UTA (-10.5) vs. NOP, O/U:
ORL vs. CHI (-13), O/U:
DET vs. MIL (-15), O/U:
DEN vs. DAL (-2.5), O/U:
MIA vs. GSW (-8.5), O/U:
ATL (-4) vs. POR, O/U:
MIN vs. LAC (-2), O/U:
The Heat-Warriors matchup should be a competitive contest and it is full of top-tier talent, with great complementary value plays.
Stephen Curry is the highest priced player in the contest but is still a solid choice to build around. Combine him with Gary Payton, who can turn in great value, as he is picking up more minutes in the Warriors' rotation. Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Jordan Poole are ideal mid priced options.
On the other side, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry should be able to live up to their hefty price tags, as they will have to come up big the lead the shorthanded Heat. Tyler Herro and Omer Yurtseven are good mid priced picks, who are seeing additional playing time for the squad. Caleb Martin is priced for value, while he is expected to pick up the start.
Injuries to Monitor
Eric Gordon (groin), Kevin Porter (thigh): Questionable
Armoni Brooks (COVID-19), Alperen Sengun (COVID-19): OUT
David Nwaba, Garrison Mathews and Kenyon Martin will see added opportunity.
Danny Green (COVID-19): Questionable
Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton would be up for a boost without Green.
P.J. Washington (COVID-19): Questionable
Kelly Oubre and Cody Martin will pick up extra minutes.
Spencer Dinwiddie (COVID-19), Montrezl Harrell (COVID-19), Aaron Holiday (COVID-19), Raul Neto (COVID-19): OUT
Corey Kispert is expected to start in place of Dinwiddie. Davis Bertans and Deni Avdija are also up for a boost.
Dillon Brooks (COVID-19), Kyle Anderson (COVID-19), De'Anthony Melton (COVID-19), John Konchar (COVID-19), Xavier Tillman (COVID-19): OUT
Tyus Jones and Brandon Clarke are set for added responsibility.
LaMarcus Aldridge (foot): Questionable
Nicolas Claxton and Blake Griffin would have to step up without Aldridge.
Brandon Ingram (achilles), Jonas Valanciunas (COVID-19), Tomas Satoransky (COVID-19): Questionable
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is in line for added playing time if Satoransky is out. Garrett Temple is up for a boost without Ingram, and Willy Hernangomez would have to fill in for Valanciunas.
Cole Anthony (ankle): Questionable
Robin Lopez (illness), Chuma Okeke (COVID-19) : OUT
Hassani Gravett and R.J. Hampton would see bigger roles if Anthony is out.
Tony Bradley (COVID-19), Alex Caruso (foot), Javonte Green (groin): OUT
Coby White will continue to see more playing time without Caruso in the lineup. Derrick Jones is up for more of a role with Green sidelined.
Isaiah Stewart (COVID-19): Questionable
Jerami Grant (thumb), Frank Jackson (ankle), Cory Joseph (COVID-19): OUT
Killian Hayes and Cassius Stanley will carry a big load in the Pistons' backcourt. Hamidou Diallo and Saddiq Bey will continue to get more opportunity on offense.
Khris Middleton (personal): Questionable
Pat Connaughton and Wesley Matthews would be up for a boost if Middleton is out.
Jeff Green (COVID-19), Bones Hyland (COVID-19), Monte Morris (knee), Zeke Nnaji (COVID-19): OUT
Facundo Campazzo and Austin Rivers will have to step up in the Nuggets' backcourt. JaMychal Green should see a boost without Green in the lineup.
Max Strus (COVID-19), KZ Okpala (wrist): Questionable
Bam Adebayo (thumb), P.J. Tucker (knee), Dewayne Dedmon (knee), Duncan Robinson (COVID-19), Gabe Vincent (COVID-19): OUT
Omer Yurtseven, Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin will continue to see big minutes.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (COVID-19), John Collins (COVID-19): OUT
Kevin Huerter, Danilo Gallinari and Cam Reddish will get extra minutes.
Cody Zeller (COVID-19), Jusuf Nurkic (COVID-19): Questionable
Damian Lillard (abdomen): OUT
Larry Nance, Nassir Little and Tony Snell will have to step up in the Blazers' frontcourt if Zeller and/or Nurkic are out. Anfernee Simons is expected to pick up the start in place of Lillard.
D'Angelo Russell (COVID-19), Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19): OUT
Malik Beasley and Naz Reid will pick up key minutes.
Nicolas Batum (ankle): Questionable
Paul George (elbow), Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle), Luke Kennard (COVID-19), Ivica Zubac (COVID-19): OUT
Eric Bledsoe, Terance Mann, Serge Ibaka and Marcus Morris will each pick up additional responsibility.
Elite Players
Guards
Ja Morant ($9,800)
Morant has been playing great lately and has topped 48 DK points in each of the last three games, including one occasion on which he logged 66.0 DK points. He should be up for another big night, as he will have to step up to help carry his short-handed team.
LaMelo Ball ($9,500)
Ball is coming off a great performance in which he generated 51.5 DK points, and he has topped 37 DK points in each of the last six games. The Wizards will have a hard time containing Ball on the perimeter and in the paint.
Forwards/Centers
Jimmy Butler ($10,000)
Butler poured in a season-high 37 points in the Heat's most recent contest and he will need to come up big again to help lead his squad. Butler has topped 43 DK points in each of the last three games, including one outing in which he accounted for 65 DK points.
Kevin Durant ($11,200)
Durant has been dominant all season, averaging 29.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. He has topped 48 DK points in eight of his last 10 games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,800)
Giannis continues to put massive numbers, as he accounted for 77.5 DK in the Bucks' last game, and he has topped 60 DK points in three of the last four games.
Expected Chalk
Joel Embiid ($11,400)
Embiid has topped 50 DK points in five of the last six games. He continues to lead the way for the Sixers, averaging 26.3 points. 10.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. The Sixers go up against the undersized Rockets, which will provide a great opportunity for Embiid to dominate the game.
Value Picks
Tyus Jones ($4,000)
Jones will see extra playing time for the Grizzlies. Jones is averaging 9.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals over the last 10 games.
Amir Coffey ($4,300)
Coffey picked up the start in the Clippers' last contest and totaled 35 DK points. He should continue to see extended minutes for his squad.
David Nwaba ($3,900)
Nwaba has started the last four games for the Rockets, and he is averaging 7.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks over that span.
Brandon Clarke ($3,800)
Clarke will continue to see additional playing time for the Grizzlies. Clarke is averaging 10.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists, in 16.8 minutes per game over the last four games.
Serge Ibaka ($3,700)
Ibaka has picked up two consecutive starts for the Clippers. He topped 15 DK points in both contests and will have an advantage going up against the Timberwolves' frontcourt.
