This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
SAS at IND (-3), O/U: 231
CHI at WAS (-1.5), O/U: 224.5
NOP (-6.5) at CHA, O/U: 230.5
ORL at ATL (-8.5), O/U: 223
BOS (-2.5) at MIA, O/U: 219
TOR at BKN (-2.5), O/U: 226
DET at NYK (-7), O/U: 217.5
MEM (-5.5) at HOU, O/U: 230.5
UTA at MIN (-8.5), O/U: 228.5
DEN at GSW (-5.5), O/U: 229.5
PHX (-4) at POR, O/U: 224.5
The Pacers' backcourt should have a solid advantage over the younger Spurs. There's also room for added value in their frontcourt with Myles Turner sidelined.
The Grizzlies are dealing with a few injuries, which allows players like Santi Aldama and John Konchar to continue to pick up extra minutes and makes for some salary savers at the wing.
The Knicks' bigs have a size advantage at home against the Pistons. Although Mitchell Robinson didn't see much action last time out, Isaiah Hartenstein showed he can make a major impact off the bench.
Injuries to Monitor
IND - Aaron Nesmith (foot), Jalen Smith (knee): Questionable
Daniel Theis (knee), Myles Turner (ankle): OUT
CHI - Zach LaVine (knee), Lonzo Ball (knee): OUT
WAS - Vernon Carey (concussion), Deni Avdija (ankle): Questionable
Corey Kispert (ankle): OUT
NOP - Jaxson Hayes (elbow): Questionable
Kira Lewis (knee), E.J. Liddell (knee): OUT
CHA - Cody Martin (quadriceps): Questionable
LaMelo Ball (ankle): OUT
ORL - Cole Anthony (illness): Questionable
Markelle Fultz (toe), Garry Harris (knee), Jonathan Isaac (hamstring), Moritz Wagner (ankle): OUT
ATL - Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee): OUT
BOS - Danilo Gallinari (knee), Robert Williams (knee): OUT
MIA - Victor Oladipo (knee), Omer Yurtseven (ankle): OUT
TOR - Khem Birch (knee), Chris Boucher (hamstring): Questionable
Otto Porter (hamstring): OUT
BKN - Joe Harris (ankle): Probable
Seth Curry (ankle), T.J. Warren (foot): OUT
DET - Marvin Bagley (knee), Alec Burks (foot), Isaiah Livers (hip): OUT
NYK - Quentin Grimes (foot): OUT
MEM - Dillon Brooks (thigh): Doubtful
Danny Green (knee), Jaren Jackson (foot), Ziaire Williams (knee): OUT
HOU - Daishen Nix (back): Probable
Jae'Sean Tate (ankle), TyTy Washington (knee): OUT
UTA - Udoka Azubuike (ankle): OUT
DEN - Nikola Jokic (finger): Probable
Jamal Murray (knee): Questionable
Collin Gillespie (leg): OUT
GSW - Patrick Baldwin (thumb), Andre Iguodala (hip): OUT
PHX - Jae Crowder (not injury related), Landry Shamet (hip): OUT
POR - Gary Payton (abdomen), Olivier Sarr (wrist), Trendon Watford (hip): OUT
Elite Players
Guards
Ja Morant ($10,100)
Morant is coming off an awesome performance in his season-opener with 34 points, four rebounds, nine assists and a block in a home win over the Knicks. He should have an easier time against the Rockets' backcourt defense as it is likely to be a faster-paced and higher-scoring game in general with plenty of opportunity to excel.
Tyrese Haliburton ($7,900)
Haliburton dazzled in the Pacers' first outing with 26 points, four rebounds and seven assists. He proved last season he can be a consistent double-double threat while filling the stat sheet thanks to his impact on both ends of the floor.
Forwards/Centers
DeMar DeRozan ($8,700)
DeRozan went off for 37 points, six rebounds, nine assists, two steals and a block against the Heat. He needs to keep up the incredible effort to help carry the Bulls in the absence of Zach LaVine. DeRozan should do well against the Wizards' wing defenders.
Kevin Durant ($10,400)
Despite a loss in the opener, Durant led the Nets with 32 points, three rebounds, two assists, four blocks and a steal. He averaged 32.5 points and 10 rebounds through two games against the Raptors last season, and he'll need to bring that same level of effort to keep the Nets from an 0-2 start.
Rudy Gobert ($9,000)
Gobert carried the Timberwolves to an impressive win with 23 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. Despite poor performances from Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, Gobert managed to keep it together for his new squad. He'll likely have some extra motivation to keep up his strong play against his former club.
Expected Chalk
Stephen Curry ($10,000)
Curry came up big with 33 points, six rebounds, seven assists, four steals and a block in the Warriors' season-opener. He offers a good chance to pick up where he left off hosting the Nuggets, who could be hindered at the point-guard position with Jamal Murray listed as questionable for action and/or on a minutes restriction. Curry averaged 27.8 points on 49 percent shooting in eight games against the Nuggets last year.
Value Picks
Alex Caruso ($4,600)
Caruso produced six points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the Bulls' last outing. He's up for another start and should log a lot of court time as the key defender against the Wizards' backcourt.
Derrick White ($4,000)
White should start again for the Celtics. His ability to impact the game across the stat sheet increases the likelihood of a productive night, and he'll be required to help contain the Heat's wing players.
Grant Williams ($3,800)
Grant Williams will keep getting added opportunity in the absence of Danilo Gallinari and Robert Williams. He tallied 15 points in the opener while offering a critical boost in his 24 minutes of action.
Cam Reddish ($4,500)
Reddish came up huge for the Knicks with 22 points, five rebounds, three steals and a block over 28 minutes off the bench. He should have an easier time going up against the Pistons' second unit and should be able to keep up his impressive play.
Terry Taylor ($3,600)
Taylor is expected to pick up the start in place of Myles Turner. He posted eight points, two rebounds, two steals and a block across 24 minutes in the opener.
