This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
Heat (-4.5) at Pistons (o/u 204.5)
Spurs (-3) at Kings
Blazers at Grizzlies (-4.0) (o/u 220.5)
Pelicans at 76ers (-5.5) (o/u 210.5)
Cavaliers at Hawks (-5)
Nuggets at Nets
Lakers at Bulls (-4.5)
Mavericks at Timberwolves (-3.5) (o/u 214)
Hornets at Suns (-8.5)
Every sport has experienced a flurry of injury news within the last week primarily due to COVID-19 protocols. Nearly every team on today's slate is affected in some way, but Brooklyn, Sacramento and the Lakers are the most hurt in terms of missing stars and significant rotation members. It will be extremely important to note which players are active for the game. As of early this morning, De'Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell, Terence Davis, and Alex Len are all expected out due to protocols in Sacramento. In Brooklyn, no regulars are expected to be in the lineup, highlighted by the absences of James Harden, Kevin Durant, Bruce Brown, DeAndre' Bembry, James Johnson, Paul Millsap, and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Setting aside injuries for the time being, a few games stand out to target based on projected pace. Both the Spurs and Kings play quickly, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see that matchup produce a high total despite Sacramento being shorthanded. Similarly, both the Hornets and Suns play at among the fastest paces in the league while both sides are relatively clean in terms of injury. Of the totals we already have, the Blazers-Grizzlies battle will be one to consider along with the Mavs-Timberwolves.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Tyler Herro, MIA (quadriceps): Questionable
Herro has been out for the last two, but watch for his participation in shootaround as a clue to his availability. Max Strus took advantage of Herro's absence on Friday and could do so again today.
Jimmy Butler, MIA (back): OUT
Butler is in line to miss his sixth straight contest. Gabe Vincent was strong on Friday and should once again have the opportunity assuming Butler remains out.
Joel Embiid, PHI (ankle): Questionable
If Embiid is still sidelined, Andre Drummond should join the starting lineup. However, he only logged 21 minutes on Monday.
Tyrese Maxey, PHI (quadriceps): Questionable
Furkan Korkmaz, PHI (illness): OUT
It's worth considering this pair of Sixers together. Shake Milton will be a strong cash game play if both are sidelined, as he should receive plenty of minutes and an increase in ball-handling duties.
Trae Young, ATL (ankle): Questionable
Young hasn't missed a contest this season, so it's possible the team will opt to hold him out if he isn't feeling 100 percent.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, ATL (ankle): Questionable
Bogdanovic hasn't played since Nov. 27. His return would muddle the wing rotation/usage in Atlanta once again, as Cam Reddish and Kevin Huerter are also back.
JaMychal Green, DEN (ankle): Doubtful
Green is in line to miss his fourth consecutive game. Zeke Nnaji has seen some slightly increased run, though that hasn't led to tremendous fantasy production.
Blake Griffin, BKN (knee)
Griffin tweaked his knee on Saturday. There hasn't been any further details revealed, but his absence would mean Brooklyn is down yet another body. Kessler Edwards would remain locked into minutes and James Ennis could see an uptick in playing time if Griffin is sidelined.
Dwight Howard, LAL (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Howard's absence had simply shifted Anthony Davis to center, but Davis also being out either means DeAndre Jordan is in for more minutes or the Lakers will play a small lineup.
Devin Booker, PHO (hamstring): Questionable
Booker was a full practice participant Saturday, so it appears he has a strong chance to return from a seven-game absence. If he suits up, it would be safest to assume he won't get a full allocation of minutes.
Richaun Holmes, SAC (eye): Questionable
Holmes has been out the last five outings, but he should have tremendous usage if he's able to return.
Other Notable Injuries:
Caleb Martin, MIA (COVID protocols): Questionable
Markieff Morris, MIA (Neck): OUT
Jerami Grant, DET (thumb): OUT
Kelly Olynyk, DET (knee): OUT
CJ McCollum, POR (lung): OUT
Cody Zeller, POR (knee): OUT
Georges Niang, PHI (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Isaac Okoro, CLE (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Evan Mobley, CLE (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Avery Bradley, Austin Reaves, Talen Horton-Tucker, Malik Monk, LAL (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Zach LaVine, Ayo Dosunmu, Troy Brown, Alize Johnson, CHI (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Luka Doncic, DAL (ankle): OUT
Reggie Bullock, DAL (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Willie Cauley-Stein, DAL (personal): OUT
Anthony Edwards, Taurean Prince, MIN (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Elite Players
Nikola Jokic ($12,000) represents the slate's top player. There should be some concern about a potential blowout due to the numerous absences in the Nets rotation. We saw the Nuggets won't hesitate to limit Jokic in blowout situations, as he only played 26 minutes in a big win over Atlanta on Friday. As a result, I'd look elsewhere in cash games.
Trae Young ($10,100) has been in excellent form of late and topped 55 DK points in five of his last six appearances. His current questionable tag and the slow pace the Cavs prefer to play are two reasons for potential concern. That could be enough to shy away in cash games.
Dejounte Murray ($9,900) should be in a strong position to produce. Though there's currently no total for the matchup, the Kings rank sixth in pace while the Spurs follow in seventh. That should lead to plenty of scoring and opportunities to rack up fantasy points. Murray has displayed a boom-bust profile of late with 50 or more DK points in four of his last 10 games, but under 40 DK points three times. That's typically not a profile I'd want to use in cash games, but he may be the best option given the context of the slate.
Damian Lillard ($9,700) has produced well since returning, but his salary remains reasonable. The Blazers are in a favorable scoring environment against Memphis, so it should be a good spot to keep his momentum going. While maybe not the ideal cash option, Lillard could be a strong GPP play given his slow start to the season.
Likely Chalk Plays
Given the way injury reports have shifted slate in significant ways, chalky players are difficult to project at the time of drafting this article. However, here are some players who are likely to be popular given the current information:
LeBron James, LAL ($10,800)
James is coming off consecutive subpar performances, but should have the chance for some increased usage in the absence of Anthony Davis. He's no bargain, but there's enough value on the slate to find the salary.
David Duke Jr. ($5,000) / Cam Thomas ($5,200), BRO
Duke and Thomas each logged 36 minutes in yesterday's loss, and should be in for all the court time they can handle again barring a surprise return of any key players. While their values have been on the rise, they should be in a strong position to comfortably produce value.
Tyrese Haliburton ($6,900), SAC
Haliburton's value is on a steep incline due to the absences in Sacramento. However, he's hit 42 and 47 DK points in the last two, which should give reassurance he'll still meet value at his increased salary. One thing to keep an eye on is the status of Richaun Holmes. While Holmes won't take over ball handling, he would take away usage from Haliburton. Even so, there should be enough offense for Haliburton to reach value.
Gabe Vincent, MIA ($5,500)
Vincent has taken advantage of Miami's missing players. His salary has risen as a result, but not to the point where he won't be able to hit value if Herro, Butler and Martin remain out.
Key Values
These players are mentioned in addition to most of the projected chalky players discussed above.
Richaun Holmes, SAC ($6,200)
If Holmes is able to return, he'll step into massive usage with Fox, Bagley and Len - among others - all sidelined. There shouldn't be conditioning concerns either, as Bagley's absence has been due to an eye injury rather than a soft tissue issue that would prevent him from conditioning.
DeMar DeRozan, CHI ($9,400)
DeRozan is valued at the point where he isn't a comfortable selection. But with Zach LaVine sidelined, there should be no question the Bulls offense will run through DeRozan. There reportedly will be no restrictions on him despite his recent stretch of absences, only improving his ability to provide value.
Malik Beasley, MIN ($4,700)
Beasley moved into the starting lineup with Anthony Edwards in COVID-19 protocols. He delivered on the expanded opportunity Friday and should have a similar chance today. Beasley's salary has surprisingly only increased marginally and remains a strong value for at least one more slate.
DeAndre Jordan, LAL ($3,000)
As was noted above, Jordan hadn't seen a boost in playing time without Dwight Howard. But with Anthony Davis also sidelined, the Lakers will likely have no choice but to give Jordan extended run. The ceiling remains very low, but there should be a reasonable floor for him particularly taking into account his value.
Harrison Barnes, SAC ($6,300)
Barnes is among a few of Sacramento's regulars certain to be available today. He did see a fairly steep jump in salary after recording 34 DK points Friday. However, he managed to post that total while shooting 5-for-16 from the floor, a mark that should improve in what projects to be a high-scoring contest.
