This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
Cleveland (-7) at Detroit (o/u 212.5)
Denver at Milwaukee (-7) (o/u 224)
Dallas (-6) at Orlando (o/u 213)
Utah at Minnesota (-1) (o/u 225.5)
San Antonio at Phoenix (-11.5) (o/u 232.5)
There are eight games overall, though only five make it on the main slate due to scheduling. Even so, there are some favorable spots with Phoenix standing out from a pace/projected points standpoint. Ultimately, Utah and Minnesota could be the top matchup to target due to the projected competitiveness and a positive offensive environment. Make sure to monitor the news in that contest as several stars' availability currently remain in question.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Josh Jackson, DET (back): questionable
Jackson played through the injury Friday, so he'll presumably go today unless it was aggravated. If he's out, Frank Jackson and Hamidou Diallo could see a slight uptick in role, though Josh Jackson has earned minutes in the mid-teens of late.
Will Barton, DEN (illness): probable
Barton was also listed probable on Friday before ultimately failing to go, so keep a close eye on his status. Austin Rivers started and logged 35 minutes and is valued at only $3,800, so he would be viable if Barton is ruled out.
DeMarcus Cousins, DEN (foot): probable
Cousins appears likely to play, but has yet to top 14 minutes since joining the Nuggets.
George Hill, MIL (neck): doubtful
If Hill is out, Donte DiVincenzo should most directly benefit in terms of role. Grayson Allen should also earn more responsibility.
Rodney Hood, MIL (Achilles): probable
Hood is buried on the depth chart, so his status isn't likely to alter the Bucks' rotation in a significant way.
Sterling Brown, DAL (foot)
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL (knee)
Neither Brown nor Porzingis carry an official designation because the Mavs played last night, but their statuses will be worth watching. Brown has missed six consecutive games while Porzingis exited Saturday with knee soreness.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA (concussion): questionable
Mitchell has missed the last six contests due to a concussion. He could be on a minutes limit even if he returns, so it'll be important to watch any updates on his status.
Patrick Beverley, MIN (ankle): questionable
D'Angelo Russell, MIN (lower leg): questionable
When both Beverley and Russell were out Friday, Jaylen Nowell got the start and would likely have the first chance to solidify a role. However, Malik Beasley ultimately turned in the best fantasy performance after Nowell quickly got into foul trouble.
Josh Okogie, MIN (quadriceps): questionable
Okogie has carried a minimal role in the Wolves rotation, so his status isn't likely to significantly alter the team's outlook.
Zach Collins, SAN (ankle)
Collins isn't likely to play, and even if he does he'll almost certainly be on a minutes limit. However, he's been ramping up in G-League and his return could be coming soon.
Jae Crowder, PHO (wrist): questionable
Cameron Johnson has topped 35 minutes in each of the last three games with Crowder sidelined and would be the primary one hurt if Crowder returns.
Deandre Ayton, PHO (ankle): questionable
JaVale McGee, PHO (knee): questionable
Bismack Biyombo will remain the beneficiary if Ayton is unavailable, though he's more appropriately valued after a few strong performances.
Other Notable Injuries:
Lauri Markkanen, CLE (ankle): out
Jerami Grant, DET (conditioning): out
Kelly Olynyk, DET (conditioning): out
R.J. Hampton, ORL (knee): out
Rudy Gobert, UTA (calf): out
Dejounte Murray, SAN (knee): out
Derrick White, SAN (rest): out
Keita Bates-Diop, SAN (COVID-19 protocols): out
Jakob Poeltl, SAN (back): out
Cameron Payne, PHO (wrist): out
Star Players
Nikola Jokic ($12,400) is a near automatic cash-game play anytime he's in action. Though Milwaukee plays relatively strong defense, that should be a problem for the big man. There are a lot of potential value plays to make up the salary, so it shouldn't be hard to fit Jokic in lineups.
Luka Doncic ($11,200) has been in strong form of late going over 55 DK points in three of his last four contests. More importantly, Orlando carries a 111.5 defensive rating on the season and that puts them in the bottom-third of the league. And if Porzingis is sidelined, Doncic will have complete control of the Mavs' offense.
With the Spurs rolling out a very inexperienced backcourt, Chris Paul ($9,500) should be in a position to do whatever he wants on the offensive side of the floor. The downside is blowout potential, but otherwise both the projected pace and the matchup suggest this is a strong spot for Paul.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,300) and Anthony Edwards ($8,500) are also worth mentioning in this section. This game is one to attack on the slate, and Minnesota is particularly attractive if D'Angelo Russell remains out. Towns won't have to face Gobert, which is a benefit. Meanwhile, Edwards has put up some massive efforts of late with Beverley or Russell not being available.
Expected Chalk
Tre Jones ($3,000) and Lonnie Walker ($3,400) are in for large role/minute increases in the absence of Murray and White. Walker's trademark is inconsistency, but he's produced big performances this season and offers the potential to be a slate-deciding play. Jones has delivered when given an opportunity, so he appears to be the more comfortable cash play.
Sticking in San Antonio, Jock Landale ($3,000) should be in for a substantial role with Poeltl sidelined. Landale played 26 minutes on Jan. 15 and posted a double-double, which would be plenty to return value on his minimum salary.
There could be several chalky options in Dallas, depending on how the news unfolds. Reggie Bullock ($3,600) has earned increased usage since Tim Hardaway has gone down. Maxi Kleber ($3,700) and Dorian Finney-Smith ($4,500) could also project very well if Porzingis is ruled out.
Value Plays
Trey Lyles ($4,800) has topped 25 DK points in eight of his last 10 games, yet his value has remained very stable. With Grant and Olynyk still sidelined, Lyles should remain a solid play, though his ceiling isn't particularly high.
In contrast, Cade Cunningham ($7,200) boasts an exciting ceiling with a more troubling floor. He's taken control of Detroit's offense and attempted an average of 20.3 shots from the field across his last four appearances while posting 49.5, 37.75, 69 and 15.5 DK points during that span. Cleveland isn't a great matchup with the league's third-best defensive rating, but Cunningham's potential volume could overcome that.
The likely absence of George Hill should benefit Donte DiVincenzo ($3,700), who's topped 20 minutes in each of his last four contests. He hasn't produced at an exceptional level, but has returned value in three of those four and is valued at a point to do so again today.
Kevin Love's ($6,200) salary is slowly on the rise, but not enough given his recent form in the absence of Lauri Markkanen. He' s seen 24 and 27 minutes in those games, but has been extremely involved by hoisting 12 and 16 shots. Love's value will eventually match his opportunity to produce, but he represents a great option in the meantime.
