This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
SAS (-7) vs. PHI, O/U: 218.5
MIL vs. BKN (-4), O/U:
UTA vs. TOR (-10.5), O/U:
WAS vs. CHI (-6.5), O/U: 220.5
DAL (-2) vs. HOU, O/U:
MIN (-5.5) vs. OKC, O/U: 215
SAC vs. DEN (-7.5), O/U: 223
ATL vs. LAL (2.5), O/U: 225.5
CLE (-4.5) vs. POR, O/U: 216
Kings-Nuggets is expected to be a high-scoring contest and features a few great top-tier options, accompanied by solid middle and lower selections to fill in with great value.
Nikola Jokic is playing great and has an advantage against the Kings' shorthanded frontcourt. Look to Austin Rivers, Will Barton, Monte Morris and Facundo Campazzo for Denver value options.
De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton lead the Kings and come with reasonable salaries. Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley and Damian Jones are all carry decent potential.
Injuries to Monitor
Lonnie Walker (COVID-19): Questionable
Keldon Johnson (COVID-19), Devin Vassell (COVID-19), Doug McDermott (COVID-19), Derrick White (COVID-19): OUT
Tre Jones and Keita Bates-Diop are set to receive more playing time.
Danny Green (calf): Questionable
Tyrese Maxey (COVID-19), Shake Milton (back): OUT
Furkan Korkmaz and Georges Niang will be up for a boost.
Grayson Allen (COVID-19), Pat Connaughton (COVID-19), Donte DiVincenzo (ankle), George Hill (COVID-19), Jrue Holiday (COVID-19), Brook Lopez (back): OUT
Wesley Matthews is expected to pick up another start while Rodney Hood could also earn additional minutes
Jordan Clarkson (back), Rudy Gay (heel), Royce O'Neale (knee): Questionable
Bojan Bogdanovic (finger), Mike Conley (knee), Rudy Gobert (COVID-19), Joe Ingles (COVID-19) Donovan Mitchell (back): OUT
Jared Butler is in line for significant action in the backcourt.
Montrezl Harrell (COVID-19), Davis Bertans (foot): Questionable
Deni Avdija will get a boost off the bench.
Alex Caruso (foot), Javonte Green (groin): OUT
Coby White should earn extra minutes in Caruso's absence while Derrick Jones is expected to start for Green.
Luka Doncic (ankle): Questionable
Kristaps Porzingis (COVID-19): OUT
Maxi Kleber is up for a bigger role in place of Porzingis. If Doncic is out, Jalen Brunson and Tim Hardaway will have to step up.
Armoni Brooks (COVID-19), Alperen Sengun (COVID-19): Questionable
Garrison Mathews and Kenyon Martin would see added opportunity.
Derrick Favors (back), Isaiah Roby (COVID-19): OUT
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Darius Bazley are in line for more court time.
Terence Davis (ankle): Questionable
Richaun Holmes (COVID-19): OUT
Damian Jones is up for another start with Holmes sidelined. Davion Mitchell should see a boost if Davis is out.
Zeke Nnaji (COVID-19), Jeff Green (COVID-19): Questionable
JaMychal Green would receive additional minutes if the two don't play.
Cam Reddish (ankle), Trae Young (back), Bogdan Bogdanovic (COVID-19), John Collins (COVID-19): Questionable
Kevin Huerter, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Danilo Gallinari would have to step up without Reddish, Bogdanovic and Collins. Delon Wright would get more opportunities without Young.
Anthony Davis (knee): OUT
Dwight Howard will likely log more minutes while LeBron James and Russell Westbrook will have to come up big.
Cedi Osman (COVID-19), Rajon Rondo (COVID-19): Questionable
Isaac Okoro (elbow), Ricky Rubio (knee): OUT
Lamar Stevens and Dylan Windler are in line for a boost.
Cody Zeller (COVID-19): Questionable
Larry Nance (knee), Damian Lillard (abdomen), CJ McCollum (chest): OUT
Nassir Little will continue to add playing time. Anfernee Simons is expected to start in place of Lillard.
Elite Players
Guards
Russell Westbrook ($10,000)
Westbrook topped 44 DK points in each of the last seven games, including one where he accounted for 60. He needs to continue producing with Anthony Davis still sidelined.
Fred VanVleet ($9,500)
VanVleet exceeded 50 DK points in five of six contests, with a max of 66.3 during that stretch. He also holds an advantage against the shorthanded Jazz.
Forwards/Centers
LeBron James ($11,600)
James is averaging 32.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks over the last 10 outings and has gone over 60 DK points six times in that span. He has to continue to lead the way for the Lakers with Anthony Davis out. James also has a favorable matchup against the depleted Hawks.
DeMar DeRozan ($9,200)
DeRozan dropped at least 24 points in seven of eight, with over 45 DK points four times within that stretch. The Bulls play host to the Wizards, which should be a competitive contest and allow DeRozan to produce substantial stats.
Joel Embiid ($11,200)
Embiid continues to put up ridiculous numbers with least 30 points from seven of the last eight games and at least 70 DK points twice. The Sixers take on the Hawks, who are not great defensively nor are they great on the glass and that should give Embiid plenty of opportunity to excel.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Jokic ($12,000)
Jokic is averaging 24.2 points, 15.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.7 steals across the last 10 contests and has gone over 60 DK points six times over that span. He also has an advantage against the Kings' shorthanded frontcourt in what is expected to produce plenty of points. The Kings are also giving up an NBA-third worst average of 113.8 points.
Value Picks
Coby White ($5,300)
White will log extra playing time with Alex Caruso out. He's averaging 18.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals over the last five games.
Aaron Wiggins ($4,000)
Wiggins is seeing significant minutes in a starting role and is averaging 14.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals across five appearances.
Keita Bates-Diop ($3,700)
Bates-Diop is in line for more opportunities with a couple Spurs out. He was quiet in his last two, but recently accounted for 41.8 DK points in an expanded role.
Maxi Kleber ($4,100)
Kleber will pick up another start in place of Kristaps Porzingis. He's looked solid over the last three outings as a starter averaging 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals.
Robert Covington ($4,300)
Covington topped 18 DK points in each of the last two and will have to step up for the shorthanded Trail Blazers in Cleveland.
