This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We have nine games featured on the DraftKings main slate. There are no teams playing on a back-to-back so all healthy players, and I stress healthy, should be ready to go. A laundry list of questionable tags loom once again, staying up to date on the news will be paramount as teams shake up rotations during these dog days of the season.
Slate Overview
BOS (-3) at IND O/U 214.5
WAS (-4.5) vs NYK O/U 228.5
The Knicks face the Wizards in a matchup of two teams that have nothing to play for, but they still have to play it. I'd focus more on the Knicks side, as the Wizards play at the sixth-fastest pace (106.8) in the league and give up the most points (119.7) per game on the season. Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton both scored over 40 fantasy points when these teams met previously, so starting there and running it back with Bradley Beal on the other side as part of a game stack could make a lot of sense.
CHI (-3.5) vs CLE O/U 216
HOU (-12.5) vs MIN O/U 246.5
The main factor here is if the Timberwolves can keep this game close. There is a lot to like as these teams both rank top five in the league in pace and top 10 in points per game. James Harden and Russell Westbrook both have played well against Minnesota all season, but it's been Westbrook leading the way, averaging over 60 fantasy points in three games. He also comes in $1,200 cheaper than Harden, so taking the discount and rostering D'Angelo Russell on the other side could be a great way to attack this matchup.
MEM (-2.5) vs ORL O/U 222
DAL (-3.5) at SAS O/U 227.5
POR (-5) vs PHO O/U 232.5
These teams faced off just four days ago with the Suns coming away with the victory. The Trail Blazers are in must-win mode as they try and make a push for the No. 8 seed in the West. Hassan Whiteside dominated the paint in an electrifying 20/20 outing and has a great opportunity to repeat that performance here. The usual suspects for both teams should fully be in play, so mixing up a few different game stacks in hopes this game becomes a shootout is a strategy that could pay dividends.
LAL (-10) vs BKN O/U 222
LAC (-11.5) at GSW O/U 226.5
Injury Situations to Monitor
Luka Doncic (wrist) is questionable. He's coming off a 66 fantasy point performance against the Pacers. Kristaps Porzingis would be a borderline must play if he is unable to suit up.
LeBron James (groin) still seems to be nursing the same groin injury that's plagued him for most of the season. The Lakers are heavy favorites against the Warriors so they may opt to give him some rest. Anthony Davis would see a big spike in usage should James sit this one out.
Deandre Ayton (ankle) has missed the last two games and is in jeopardy of missing a third. Aron Baynes has been filling in and would face a Portland team that he just dropped 69 fantasy points against should Ayton remain sidelined.
Stephen Curry (illness) was a surprise scratch Sunday. He enters this game as questionable. We should get a better idea of his status as we get closer to tipoff. He would likely still be on a minutes restriction after missing most of the season with a hand injury.
Victor Oladipo (knee) is listed as questionable. This presumably will be the case for him rest of the season as he continues to work his way back from a lengthy absence. With Malcolm Brogdon already listed out we can expect Aaron Holiday, Justin Holiday and T.J. McConnell absorbing most of the minutes at the guard position.
Jerome Robinson (Achilles) is considered questionable. If he can go, he could be in line for increased minutes with Ish Smith already ruled out.
Eric Gordon (knee) has missed the last two games. He hasn't been great lately even when healthy. The addition of Robert Covington has definitely affected his minutes and production.
Dorian Finney-Smith (hip) is listed as questionable after missing the last two. His availability should become more clear after their morning shootaround.
Elite Players
Russell Westbrook ($10,100) faces a Timberwolves team he's dominated all season, averaging over 60 fantasy points in three meetings with a 69.5 fantasy point explosion in the most recent matchup. Minnesota ranks only second behind the Cavaliers in fantasy points allowed to opposing point guards (60.77) on the year. As I mentioned before, this game staying close will be the deciding factor in the likelihood of Westbrook reaching his ceiling.
Hassan Whiteside ($9,000) went nuclear against this same team Friday, posting a 58 fantasy point performance. He should have similar success here, as the Suns are still one of the worst teams in the league on the glass with a 49.2 percent rebounding efficiency rating. He gets a slight $100 discount from the previous meeting and is playing at home, and with the Trail Blazers still squarely in the playoff hunt we should expect maximum Whiteside on display.
Expected Chalk and Other Targets
Andre Drummond ($8,700) is finally settling in with his new team. He's played over 30 minutes in his last two starts and faces a Bulls team that ranks second worst (47.9 percent) in the league in rebounding efficiency. They also come in right behind the Hawks in fantasy points allowed per game to centers (43.09).
Coby White ($6,800) will be starting with Zach LaVine sidelined. White's been logging heavy minutes with over 30 in each of last four games, which has resulted in 35 fantasy points or more in all four. The Cavaliers allow the most fantasy points per game to point guards (61.85) in the league. He's also seen his usage increase to close to 30 percent with the Bulls suffering multiple injuries to their backcourt.
Key Values
Shaquille Harrison ($5,000) has seen his price steadily increase, but so has his playing time. He should continue to see extra run with so many Bulls players on the shelf, and has flashed 48 fantasy point upside with a 30 fantasy point floor over his last three games.
Matthew Dellavedova ($4,000) has started the last two games, playing over 30 minutes while posting 36 and 35 fantasy point performances. I think he could remain productive one more time before he hits the jumping off point. The Bulls allow 47 fantasy points per game to opposing point guards. Dellavedova should remain heavily involved until the return of Darius Garland and Kevin Porter from injury.
