This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
CHA at ATL: The Hawks swept their four-game set over the Hornets last season.
ORL at BOS: This is already the third matchup between these teams, splitting the first two outings.
LAC at CLE: These teams have split three straight season series against one another.
BKN at TOR: The Raptors have won four straight over the Nets.
POR at OKC: The Thunder have won 16 of their last 17 games over the Blazers.
SAS at PHX: The Suns have won 13 of their last 17 games over the Spurs.
LAL at UTA: The Lakers have won eight of their last 10 games over the Jazz.
For the latest spreads and over/unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There you can also find player props, futures, picks, articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
Injuries to Monitor
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report.
Players Ruled OUT in Red
CHA - LaMelo Ball (ankle), Tre Mann (ankle)
ATL - Trae Young (knee), Onyeka Okongwu (ankle)
ORL - Paolo Banchero (groin)
BOS - Jayson Tatum (Achilles)
LAC - Kawhi Leonard (ankle), Bradley Beal (hip), Derrick Jones Jr (knee)
CLE - Jarrett Allen (finger)
TOR - Collin Murray-Boyles (knee)
BKN - Cam Thomas (hamstring)
POR - Shaedon Sharpe (calf), Jrue Holiday (calf), Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Donovan Clingan (ankle)
OKC - Aaron Wiggins (thigh), Jalen Williams (wrist)
SAS - Victor Wembanyama (calf), Stephon Catle (hip)
PHX - Grayson Allen (quad), Jalen Green (hamstring)
LAL - NONE
UTA - Walker Kessler (shoulder)
Elite Players
Guards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder ($11,000) vs. Trail Blazers
It's easy to understand why the reigning MVP is in this section. SGA has established a 45-point floor since the start of last season while scoring at least 39 fantasy points in every game this year. That's hard to believe since he's barely playing 30 minutes a night, and this could be one of the few competitive games against a sneaky Portland team. Not to mention, Gilgeous-Alexander has at least 47 DK points in six straight matchups with the Trail Blazers.
Devin Booker, Suns ($9,200) vs. Spurs
We had a feeling Book would see heavy usage for this shorthanded Suns team, but it's gotten even higher with Green and Allen both sidelined. That's forced Booker to play 35-40 minutes and take 25 shots in every game while posting a usage rate north of 30 percent. This sharpshooter doesn't even need that usage to be a DFS stud, scoring at least 36 DraftKings points in 13 of 16 outings. Squaring off with San Antonio doesn't scare us away either, with Booker collecting 28 points and 13 assists in their one meeting just a few weeks ago.
Forwards/Centers
Jalen Johnson, Hawks ($9,700) vs. Hornets
Johnson was always going to be asked to play a more substantial role with Young sidelined, but this emergence into superstardom was unexpected. The forward from Duke has been flirting with triple-double averages in this newfound role, averaging 24.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 2.3 steals across his last six outings. That's backed by a 45-point floor and a 60-point average during that sensational stretch. The best part of this is the matchup against Charlotte's subpar defense, which ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency.
Lauri Markkanen, Jazz ($8,900) vs. Lakers
Markkanen and Johnson have taken similar leaps this season, with Lauri running the show in Utah. The Jazz have leaned on Lauri to play 35-40 minutes and 25 shots every game. It's easy to see why because Markkanen is averaging nearly 50 DraftKings points per game. They need him to keep performing like that with how lackluster this Utah roster looks, and it's scary to think Markkanen is averaging 33.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks at home this year. That was on full display when Markkanen scored at least 45 DK points in each of his last two matchups with LA.
Expected Chalk
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks ($6,700) vs. Hornets
We tend to recommend a high-priced player in this section, but every DFS manager is going to lean on NAW with how he's been performing. The new Atlanta guard has stepped into the starting point guard position in the absence of Young, scoring at least 24 DK points in all but one game this season. He's also scored at least 31 fantasy points in five straight fixtures, which culminated in a 57-point masterpiece in his most recent outing. The pricing hasn't caught up with the production, and he should keep the magical run rolling against a horrendous Hornets defense.
Mid-Range Money
Jusuf Nurkic, Jazz ($7,100) vs. Lakers
It's taken an unfortunate circumstance for Nurkic to land in this role, but the Kessler injury has allowed Nurk to return to a starting center gig. This big man has always been a solid DFS player with that opportunity, averaging over 31 DK points per game across his last 10 starts. He's also showcased a 40-point ceiling in three of those and is due for a price bump as long as he's playing 25-30 minutes a night. Facing the Lakers is the icing on the cake because Deandre Ayton is one of the worst defensive centers in the NBA. Nurk has at least 28 fantasy points in three straight matchups with LA!
Donovan Clingan, Trail Blazers ($5,900) at Thunder
This big man has been one of the best per-minute producers since being drafted last season. The lack of playing time has been the only concern, but a starting center gig has quieted some of those worries. That's led to Clingan scoring at least 38 DK points in four straight outings while posting a 45-point average in that span. That's an amazing average from such an affordable player, and Portland will need him out there for 30 minutes to match up with Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren.
Value Picks
Luke Kornet, Spurs ($5,600) at Suns
Season-long fantasy managers put up a ton of FAAB dollars to acquire Kornet after the Wembanyama injury, but this former Boston big man has let them down. The good news is that his salary has fallen for DFS purposes, and that's all that matters for us. Kornet scored over 30 DK points in two of his first three outings for the Spurs and parlayed that into a 37-point gem in his first start at center. He's had two duds since then, but we're still encouraged that he's starting and playing over 25 minutes a night. Kornet has averaged over 1.1 DK points per minute throughout most of his career and remains a good value as long as he sustains that in this expanded role.
Anthony Black, Magic ($4,900) at Celtics
We're going to use some prior knowledge to give us some leverage here. Orlando is already shorthanded without Banchero, but we expect Jalen Suggs to be rested in this second half of a B2B set as well. That means Black should start and play over 30 minutes, which is all he needs to be the best value on the board at this diminished salary. Black has scored at least 32 DK points in four of five outings with Suggs and has a 33-point average in the eight outings he's played over 26 minutes. That should be his floor with Suggs expected to sit, and he should be $2,000 more with this type of opportunity in his favor.
