This article is part of our 30 Days, 30 Teams, 30 Facts series.
Slate Overview
PHX (-7) vs. CLE, O/U: 209
LAL vs. IND (-1.5), O/U:
CHA (-8) vs. ORL, O/U:
BKN vs. BOS (-0.5), O/U: 216
WAS (-3.5) vs. NOP, O/U:
CHI (-8.5) vs. HOU, O/U:
DET vs. MIL (-14), O/U: 214.5
MIA (-2) vs. MIN, O/U:
UTA (-12.5) vs. OKC, O/U:
TOR vs. MEM (-4), O/U:
ATL (-4) vs. SAS, O/U: 221.5
PHI vs. GSW (-10.5), O/U:
POR (-2.5) vs. SAC, O/U: 224
The Nets-Celtics matchup is a great one to build around, with plenty of reliable top-tier talent, surrounded by solid value options to balance out the spending. On the Nets' side, Kevin Durant and James Harden are good bets to put up great numbers, while guys like DeAndre' Bembry, Patty Mills and James Johnson can come up large in the value range. On the other hand, if Jaylen Brown remains out, Jayson Tatum is an even better look, while Al Horford could have a big night against a thin Nets' frontcourt. Marcus Smart and Dennis Schroder are reliable producers in the midrange, while Grant Williams is a solid option in the value range. If Brown and/or Josh Richardson are sidelined, Romeo Langford would also be a strong value option.
Another contest to focus on would be the Heat-Timberwolves matchup. Jimmy Butler is the highest priced player in the game, and he will likely be coming out with some extra motivation against his former team. Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro are reliable midrange options, while P.J. Tucker is a great value selection from the Heat's side. On the other hand, Karl-Anthony Towns has been playing well lately and should be able to come through in the high tier. Anthony Edwards and D'Angelo Russell can both out-play their midrange price tags and have the potential to go off for big totals, especially with the comfort of playing at home. Patrick Beverley and Jarred Vanderbilt are solid value picks, as well.
Injuries to Monitor
Frank Kaminsky (knee): OUT
Without Kaminsky, JaVale McGee will be the lone big man off the bench for the Suns. Cameron Johnson should also see a boost in his role off the bench.
Evan Mobley (elbow), Lamar Stevens (ankle): OUT
Darius Garland (neck): Questionable
With Mobley out, Dean Wade will remain in the starting lineup, while Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love should see a boost in playing time. Lamar Stevens' absence will result in a shortened bench rotation for the Cavs, with Cedi Osman and Dylan Windler playing key roles. If Garland is sidelined, Ricky Rubio will get the start and be heavily relied upon.
Caris LeVert (back): Questionable
If LeVert is sidelined, Chris Duarte and Jeremy Lamb will pick up extended roles, while T.J. McConnell could also pick up some extra minutes off the bench for the Pacers.
P.J. Washington (elbow): Doubtful
If Washington remains sidelined, the Hornets will continue to look for more out of Kelly Oubre and Caleb Martin coming off the bench.
Cole Anthony (ankle): OUT
Gary Harris (hand): Questionable
Harris picked up the start in place of Anthony in the Magic's last contest. However, if Harris is also out, R.J. Hampton and Terrence Ross will be next in line to step up.
Bruce Brown (hamstring), Joe Harris (ankle), Nicolas Claxton (illness): OUT
Patty Mills has stepped into the starting lineup in Harris' absence, while DeAndre' Bembry will likely pick up the start again in place of Brown. The Nets will also be looking for more from guys like James Johnson and Paul Millsap, while LaMarcus Aldridge will retain a prominent role off the bench.
Jaylen Brown (hamstring), Josh Richardson (illness): Questionable
If Brown is sidelined, Jayson Tatum will be back in the spotlight on offense for the Celtics. Dennis Schroder and Marcus Smart would each pick up extra playing time, and even more so in the case that Richardson is out as well. If both Brown and Richardson are out, Romeo Langford should also see a boost in playing time.
Devonte' Graham (foot): Questionable
If Graham remains sidelined for the Pels, Tomas Satoransky should pick up another start and stand out as a good value option, while Kira Lewis would see a bigger role off the bench.
Nikola Vucevic (COVID-19), Alex Caruso (wrist): Questionable
If Vucevic remains out, the Bulls will continue to rely on Tony Bradley to fill in at center, while Javonte Green and Derrick Jones pick up extended roles, filling in the frontcourt. Coby White will be in line to pick up key minutes in the absence of Caruso.
Kelly Olynyk (knee) Killian Hayes (thumb): OUT
Trey Lyles, Luka Garza and Josh Jackson should all see boosts in their usage as Olynyk remains out of the Pistons' lineup. Meanwhile, Cory Joseph is a stand-out value option, as he will get another start in place of Hayes.
Semi Ojeleye (calf): OUT
Brook Lopez (back): Questionable
If Lopez remains out, Bobby Portis will maintain key minutes in the starting center position, while Ojeleye's absence will likely mean an increased role for Jordan Nwora, off the bench for the Bucks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle): OUT
The Thunder went big without Gilgeous-Alexander in the lineup in their most recent contest, starting Derrick Favors, Darius Bazley and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, while rookie Josh Giddey took on the role of lead facilitator on offense.
OG Anunoby (hip), Precious Achiuwa (shoulder): Questionable
Khem Birch picked up the start in the Raptors' most recent contest, as they went bigger without Anunoby in the lineup. Anunoby and/or Achiuwa's absence would also result in boosts for Chris Boucher and Svi Mykhailiuk coming off the bench.
De'Anthony Melton (groin): OUT
Dillon Brooks (hamstring) : Questionable
Without Melton, the Grizzlies have looked to Kyle Anderson to pick up an increased role. If Brooks is out, Anderson would likely pick up another start, as he did in the Grizzlies' most recent contest. Guys like John Konchar and Ziaire Williams would be in line for added playing time off the bench.
De'Andre Hunter (wrist): OUT
Kevin Huerter has moved into the Hawks' starting lineup in place of Hunter and continues to provide reliable production, while Danilo Gallinari and Cam Reddish are next up in the rotation.
Doug McDermott (knee): Questionable
Keita Bates-Diop picked up the start in place of McDermott in the Spurs' most recent contest, while Devin Vassell and Lonnie Walker should continue to see extended roles off the bench.
Danny Green (hamstring) Seth Curry (back), Tobias Harris (hip): Questionable
Joel Embiid (COVID-19): OUT
Andre Drummond will continue to start in place of Embiid. If Harris is out, Matisse Thybulle and Georges Niang would be first to see increased roles, while Shake Milton and Furkan Korkmaz will need to step up if Curry or Green are sidelined. If Green, Curry and Harris are all sidelined, keep an eye out for guys like Charles Bassey and Isaiah Joe to see key rotation minutes for the 76ers.
Andre Iguodala (hip): OUT
With Iguodala sidelined, the Warriors looked to Otto Porter and Juan Toscano-Anderson to fill in extra minutes off the bench in their most recent contest.
Elite Players
Guards
Ja Morant ($9,800)
Morant is averaging 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and he is coming off an impressive outing, where he totaled 52.5 DK points. Morant goes up against the Raptors, who do not have the best interior defense, which is where he does most of his damage.
Bradley Beal ($9,300)
Beal and the Wizards take on the Pelicans, who are giving up an average of 109.7 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot an average of 46.3 percent from the field, which should allow the all-star to get his offense going early. Beal is averaging 23.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game and has topped 43 DK points in three of his last five outings.
Forwards/Centers
LeBron James ($10,800)
The Lakers will be on the second night of a back-to-back, but as a result of a one-game suspension, LeBron missed the Tuesday-night contest and will be coming in with fresh legs, ready to pickup the slack for his teammates. Going up against the Pacers in Indiana will be no easy task for the Lakers, but LeBron should see more of an advantage at his position than his all-star teammates, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis, which would make him more of a focal point on offense.
DeMar DeRozan ($9,200)
DeRozan leads the Bulls, averaging 26.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. With a matchup against the struggling Rockets, he should be able to put up some big-time numbers with relative ease. Even in the case of a blowout, DeRozan would likely play a key part in the result, which makes him a solid look with a modest, upper-tier price tag.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,200)
Giannis is coming off one of his lesser performances of the season, which was only a result of a huge blowout win. Nonetheless, he still totaled 41 DK points, which is not too much of a downside for a relatively poor outcome by his own standards. With a matchup against the Pistons, a blowout could be in the cards again, but it is more likely that Giannis will be able to rack up massive totals by dominating on both ends of the floor, as he has done all season.
Expected Chalk
Kevin Durant ($11,200)
Durant and the Nets go up against the Celtics in Boston, which should be a competitive and high-scoring contest that draws the best out of the superstar. Durant is coming off a big outing, where he totaled 53.5 DK points, while he is averaging 28.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. The Nets are 7-2 on the road this season, which has been largely due to Durant's ability to silence opposing crowds with key shots and big defensive plays. With multiple injuries in the Nets' lineup, it only puts more responsibility on KD to make sure he leads the way and helps his teammates find easy buckets. He also has been keeping the turnovers to a minimum, averaging 1.6 per game, over the last five games, which is good for a player with such a high usage rate.
Value Picks
Cory Joseph ($4,400)
Joseph has picked up the starting role in place of the injured Killian Hayes and is averaging 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 33 minutes per game, over the last three games. He has a tough matchup going up against Jrue Holiday and the Bucks, but at such a low cost, he still has the potential for solid returns.
Chris Duarte ($4,100)
Duarte had a great start to the season, playing in the starting role in a depleted Pacers' lineup. He has recently moved to the bench but is still seeing more than 20 minutes per game and producing at a good rate. Keep an eye on the status of Caris LeVert (questionable), as his absence would mean a boost in Duarte's role and an even greater value opportunity.
Joe Ingles ($4,000)
Ingles remains a key figure off the bench for the Jazz, averaging 7.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists, in 25 minutes per game. His ability to rebound and facilitate on offense helps make him a reliable pick. Also, consider, the Jazz go up against the Thunder, which should be an easier matchup, especially with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out of the lineup, potentially resulting in extended minutes for the Jazz's bench.
James Johnson ($4,200)
With multiple injuries in the Nets' lineup, Johnson has seen his role increase and is averaging 8.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 26 minutes per game, over the last three games.
Steven Adams ($4,400)
Adams is priced quite low for a starting center of his caliber. He is not putting up major numbers on a consistent basis, however, he has topped 40 DK points twice this season and topped 20 DK points in 10 of his 17 games played. He goes up against the Raptors, where he should find a size advantage in the paint, which could lead to a bigger night.
