This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
NYK vs. BKN: The Knicks have won 10 straight games over the Nets.
ORL vs. BOS: The Celtics have won 13 of their last 18 games over the Magic.
MEM vs. OKC: The Thunder have won nine straight games over the Grizzlies.
PHI vs. DET: The Sixers have won nine of their last 11 games over the Pistons.
GSW vs. IND: The Pacers have won seven of their last eight games over the Warriors.
SAC vs. MIN: These teams split their four matchups last season, with the road team winning all four games.
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.
NYK - Cam Thomas (hamstring), Terance Mann (shoulder)
BKN - NONE
BOS - Jayson Tatum (Achilles)
ORL - Moritz Wagner (knee)
OKC - Luguentz Dort (shoulder), Aaron Wiggins (thigh)
MEM - Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr (toe), Zach Edey (ankle)
DET - Tobias Harris (ankle), Caris LeVert (knee), Jaden Ivey (knee)
PHI - Joel Embiid (B2B), Paul George (knee)
IND - Bennedict Mathurin (foot), Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Andrew Nembhard (shoulder), Obi Toppin (foot) IND on a B2B
GSW - Stephen Curry (illness), Jimmy Butler (back), Draymond Green (rib)
MIN - Anthony Edwards (hamstring)
SAC - Domantas Sabonis (ribs), Keegan Murray (thumb)
Elite Players
Guards
Tyrese Maxey, Sixers ($10,200) vs. Pistons
Maxey is one of the leading scorers in the NBA right now, averaging 33.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He's also scored at least 48 DraftKings points in all eight games this season while posting a 58-point average. That's a true step into superstardom, and it should continue since he's averaging 41 minutes and 23 shots a night. A matchup with Detroit won't deter us because Maxey scored at least 45 DK points in all three of their matchups last season. Don't be surprised to see Maxey get even more usage with Embiid likely sitting in this B2B.
Jalen Brunson, Knicks ($8,900) at Nets
Brunson has been one of the best guards in the East for years, but he's really improved his playmaking this season. The All-Star has 19 assists over the last two games while scoring at least 42 DraftKings points in six of his last seven outings. That's the floor we've become accustomed to from this stud, and he should rack up statistics at ease against a bad Brooklyn defense. The Nets rank 29th in points allowed and 30th in defensive efficiency.
Forwards/Centers
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks ($8,700) vs. Nets
Big KAT has been an amazing acquisition by the Knicks, establishing himself as one of the best centers in the NBA. Towns has taken his rebounding to another level in this new role with NY, averaging 19.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game this year. The scoring is the only small drop off from last season, but that will inevitably come around. Some of that positive regression is much more likely against the worst defense in the NBA, especially since KAT had 59 and 63 fantasy points in their two matchups last season.
Jalen Duren, Pistons ($7,900) at Sixers
Some people were worried about Duren after a poor opening week, but he's looked like one of the best big men in the NBA since then. This 21-year-old center has scored at least 50 DraftKings points in four of his last seven outings, averaging 21.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. That's why Duren was drawing comparisons to Dwight Howard, and you know he'll be eager to showcase his progression against a shorthanded Sixers team. Philadelphia ranks 23rd in total defense, with Duren dropping 41 DK points in their most recent matchup.
Expected Chalk
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder ($10,900) at Grizzlies
There's a handful of players that always find themselves in this section, and the reigning MVP is one of them. Gilgeous-Alexander is simply one of the safest options on DFS, scoring at least 36 DK points in 95 of 99 games last season. A 55-point average backed that floor, and that's right on par with what SGA is doing this year. He should be able to keep that going as long as Jalen Williams remains out, and we also don't mind that SGA had at least 49 DK points in seven of his eight meetings with the Grizzlies last season.
Mid-Range Money
Jarace Walker, Pacers ($6,500) at Warriors
Unfortunately, Indiana has suffered so many injuries this season, but it has opened up some value in DFS. Walker has been one of the biggest beneficiaries, averaging 33 minutes a night across his five starts. It's not empty minutes either, with Walker averaging over 30 fantasy points per game. This team needs Walker to fill 30-35 minutes while doing some playmaking, and that's all we can hope for as DFS managers at this type of salary. Facing the Warriors doesn't worry us either because they've lost four of their last five outings.
Donte DiVincenzo, Timberwolves ($6,300) at Kings
DiVincenzo has taken over as the starting point guard in Minnesota. While Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle do most of the playmaking, we're encouraged that DiVincenzo is starting and playing 30 minutes a night. He's been a $7K player with that role in the past and comes into this matchup scoring at least 30 fantasy points in four of his last five fixtures. Sacramento is far from a scary matchup, too, sitting 27th in defensive efficiency and 28th in points allowed.
Value Picks
Isaiah Jackson, Pacers ($4,900) at Warriors
We just discussed how Brooklyn's roster is full of value, but Indiana is in a similar situation due to all the injuries. I-Jax has stepped into the starting center gig with Myles Turner getting traded, scoring 42 DK points across 29 minutes just two games ago. That sky-high ceiling has always been in play in the past, and we're likely to see more of those if Jackson can reach 30 minutes regularly. He's averaged close to 1.5 DK points per minute throughout his career, and there are no big men on this weak Warriors frontcourt to slow him down.
Noah Clowney, Nets ($4,400) at Knicks
I always think that there needs to be expansion in the NBA, but looking at this Nets roster makes me think otherwise. This was already the worst rotation in the league before the Cam Thomas injury, but there's plenty of usage to go around now. Clowney has looked like the best option recently, scoring at least 23 DraftKings points in three straight outings. Getting 30 minutes and double-digit shots is what we really care about because Clowney averaged nearly 30 DK points per game when he played at least 29 minutes last season.
