This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
Raptors at Cavaliers
76ers (-3.5) at Wizards
Grizzlies (-4.5) at Kings
Pelicans (-1) vs. Thunder
Pistons vs. Spurs (-9.5) (o/u 217.5)
Pacers vs. Bulls (-8.5)
Nuggets vs. Clippers
It's always a bit of a buzzkill to leave the Christmas slate behind. That's particularly true given the current state of teams related to COVID-19 protocols. With that in mind, lines are subject to move plenty as injury news comes out throughout the day, so it's relatively difficult to take a high-level view of the schedule given all the movement. But with the information we currently have, Memphis-Sacramento figures to be high-scoring with plenty of pace. Given the current line, it should also be competitive and one to target.
Detroit-San Antonio also projects a decent total and plenty of spots to pick up value, particularly given the number of players in COVID-19 protocols for the Pistons.
Those two stand out in the initial look. Let's jump in with the rest of the news and players to watch.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Isaac Okoro, CLE (COVID-19 protocols): Game-time decision
Okoro has been in COVID-19 protocols since Dec. 16 and will be eligible to return tonight. Check back for news closer to game time regarding his status.
Tyrese Maxey, PHI (COVID-19 protocols): Questionable
Maxey's status is unclear as he was placed in protocols after Thursday's game, but has yet to be ruled out. If he were to miss out, Furkan Korkmaz and Tyler Johnson would be potential value plays to emerge.
Georges Niang, PHI (COVID-19 protocols): Questionable
Niang has been out the last four contests. He could be on a minutes limit if he returns, but could be in for a decent role given that at least three members of the 76ers' rotation will be sidelined.
Rui Hachimura, WAS (conditioning): Questionable
Hachimura more accurately appears doubtful. With Bradley Beal and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also out, look for bumps in usage for players such as Kyle Kuzma, Spencer Dinwiddie and Aaron Holiday.
De'Aaron Fox, SAC (COVID-19 protocols): Questionable
Fox has been in protocols since Dec. 15 and is line to return today, but no further information is currently available on his status. Though he may not be at full strength, he's cut into the ball-handling duties of Tyrese Haliburton.
Terence Davis, SAC (COVID-19 protocols): Game-time decision
Davis has also been sidelined since Dec. 15. Buddy Hield has seen massive minutes in the absence of several key Kings players and Davis would likely cut into that role upon his return.
Alex Len, SAC (COVID-19 protocols): Game-time decision
Len was the last of Kings' players to enter protocols in mid-December and now eligible to return. The fantasy impacts won't be massive, but Tristan Thompson will lose some court time.
Doug McDermott, SAN (mouth): Probable
McDermott is recovering from a dental procedure and appears likely to go. Lonnie Walker has been in the rotation all season, but he should see a stabilized role if McDermott is surprisingly ruled out.
Malcolm Brogdon, IND (Achilles): Questionable
Brogdon was sidelined Thursday and Brad Wanamaker stepped into the starting lineup, but produced an uninspiring line.
Domantas Sabonis, IND (calf): Questionable
Sabonis also missed out on Thursday. Though Oshae Brissett entered the starting lineup, Myles Turner became the true beneficiary.
Aaron Gordon, DEN (hamstring): Probable
Gordon missed the last outing with a hamstring issue, but is expected to return. Vlatko Cancar and Austin Rivers benefited from Gordon's absence and would lose out if he comes back.
JaMychal Green, DEN (ankle): Probable
Green has been part of Denver's last two games, so he should be expected to be on the court barring a setback.
Marcus Morris, LAC (COVID-19 protocols): Game-time decision
Morris has been out for the last week. He was playing big minutes, so his return would hurt Terance Mann and Brandon Boston, though Paul George being sidelined would offset that effect.
Pascal Siakam, TOR (COVID-19 protocols): Game-time decision
Khem Birch, TOR (knee): Game-time decision
Toronto's roster has been torn apart by COVID-19 protocols, so both Siakam and Birch could be forced into big roles even after being sidelined long-term.
Other Notable Injuries:
Cedi Osman, CLE (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Dylan Windler, CLE (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Evan Mobley, CLE (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Jarrett Allen, CLE (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Ed Davis, CLE (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Shake Milton, PHI (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Danny Green, PHI (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Andre Drummond, PHI (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Bradley Beal, WAS (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, WAS (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Davion Mitchell, SAC (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, NO (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Jonas Valanciunas, NO (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Killian Hayes, DET (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Saben Lee, DET (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Cade Cunningham, DET (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Rodney McGruder, DET (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Trey Lyles, DET (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Isaiah Stewart, DET (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Alex Caruso, CHI (foot): OUT
Derrick Jones, CHI (hamstring): OUT
Reggie Jackson, LAC (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Paul George, LAC (elbow): OUT
Isaiah Hartenstein, LAC (ankle): OUT
Fred VanVleet, TOR (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Malachi Flynn, TOR (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Scottie Barnes, TOR (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Gary Trent, TOR (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
OG Anunoby, TOR (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Precious Achiuwa, TOR (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Elite Players
As is the case when the Nuggets take the court, Nikola Jokic ($12,100) represents a core cash game play. He's been in strong form of late topping 60 DK points in seven of his last 10. The Clippers have been a strong defensive side, which takes away some of his appeal – particularly at his high value.
As a result of Jokic's poor matchup, an interesting pivot in GPPs is Joel Embiid ($11,900). From a production standpoint, Embiid hasn't been nearly as prolific as Jokic but his matchup is much softer. Assuming Jokic is the more popular option of the two, Embiid could be a nice contrarian play.
With most of the other highest-salaried options on the slate either sidelined by COVID-19 protocols or likely to be on a minutes limit due to recently clearing protocols, Ja Morant ($9,000) is an option to consider. In two contests since returning from a knee injury, he hasn't posted particularly gaudy fantasy lines. However, he saw an increase of four minutes between his first and second appearances and also produced an additional three shots from the field. Though he's shown a bit of rust, Sunday could be the game where everything comes together. The Kings play among the league's fastest paces in the league and worst defensive teams. With Morant's value still suppressed and most of the elite options big men, he offers a great contrarian option while also offering a way to build lineups to get different in larger contests.
Pascal Siakam ($9,200) is another big-name player with plenty of intrigue on the slate. He's not in a spot I'd typically hope to rely upon after having been sidelined for a week, but the Raptors are so depleted they likely won't have a choice but rely on Siakam for big minutes and big usage. His salary is a bit steep, but there should be plenty of value plays available to make it work.
Expected Chalk
In addition to Jokic, some of the most popular players project to be:
Tyrese Haliburton ($8,700) has been on a tear without De'Aaron Fox. His value has spiked as a result, but figures to remain a popular option having topped 50 DK points in three consecutive contests if Fox remains out.
Spencer Dinwiddie ($6,500) ripped off a massive performance in the absence of Bradley Beal in Washington's last outing. His salary jumped $1,200, but that's not nearly enough to account for his 53.75 DK point performance on Dec. 23. Dinwiddie is also a strong value for cash games. Kyle Kuzma ($6,900) could be in a similar position, but is valued more appropriately given his role.
Luke Kennard's ($5,600) salary hasn't adjusted for the absence of Paul George. That should make him a popular option, particularly given his form in past games without the star forward on the floor. He also represents a solid cash game option.
Denzel Valentine ($3,200) and Dean Wade ($3,900) both present themselves as values due to the Cavs' expected absences. That should make them chalky cheap options to offset a few star-level options.
Despite Trey Lyles and Isaiah Stewart both in COVID-19 protocols, Luka Garza ($3,000) didn't receive a jump in value. He's an easy choice in cash games given his current 37-minute projection on the site.
Value Plays
Toronto should have a multitude of value options, so be sure to monitor the news throughout the day to check on projections to see how minutes may fall. Both Chris Boucher ($5,800) and Khem Birch ($4,300) figure to log heavy loads and occupy a bigger-than-typical role in the Raptors' offense.
Detroit is another club with a lot of playing time up for grabs. Cory Joseph ($5,400), Hamidou Diallo ($5,600), and Saddiq Bey ($7,500) figure to be centerpieces of the offense against a Spurs team that plays at a quick pace.
Furkan Korkmaz ($3,600) could be the last man standing among Philly guards/wings. Shake Milton and Danny Green are both out while Tyrese Maxey could also be missing. Korkmaz had a few spike efforts in a similar situation during early November. Matisse Thybulle ($3,800) is another name to consider as a value option.
The Clippers are another team where there will be opportunity to search for value depending on how the news breaks. Eric Bledsoe ($5,800) showed the ability to step into the starting in the absence of Reggie Jackson, and his salary remains plenty reasonable for a matchup against a Nuggets team that hasn't been daunting from a defensive perspective this season.
Watch the status of Domantas Sabonis. If he's out, Myles Turner ($7,800) should have the chance to dominate offensive positions down low. He feasted against Houston, and could still fly under the radar given the rest of the values on the slate even though he'll draw a tougher matchup against Chicago.
Aaron Holiday ($3,900) picked up a nice jump in minutes with KCP and Beal sidelined. Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma may be the alluring names, but Holiday could turn out to be the best value of the group.
