This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIL at CLE: The Cavs swept the Bucks in four games last season.
NYK at MIA: The Knicks swept their three games against the Heat last year.
CHA at WAS: The Wizards won all four matchups with the Hornets last season.
IND at MIN: These teams split their two-game series last year.
TOR at DAL: The Mavericks won both games over the Raptors last season.
CHI at NOP: The Pelicans swept their two-game series over the Bulls last year.
POR at LAC: The Clippers have won 11 of their last 12 games over the Trail Blazers.
LAL at SAC: The Lakers won all four games against the Kings last season.
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.
MIL - Kyle Kuzma (ankle), Kevin Porter (ankle)
CLE - Darius Garland (toe), De'Andre Hunter (knee), Max Strus (knee)
NYK - Mitchell Robinson (ankle), Karl-Anthony Towns (quad)
MIA - Tyler Herro (ankle)
CHA - Brandon Miller (shoulder)
WAS - Bilal Coulibaly (thumb)
IND - Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Andrew Nembhard (shoulder), T.J. McConnell (hamstring), Bennedict Mathurin (foot)
MIN - NONE
TOR - NONE
DAL - Kyrie Irving (Achilles), Daniel Gafford (ankle)
POR - Damian Lillard (Achilles), Scoot Henderson (hamstring)
LAC - NONE
SAC - Keegan Murray (thumb), Zach LaVine (illness)
LAL - LeBron James (nerve), Luka Doncic (finger)
Elite Players
Guards
Luka Doncic, Lakers ($11,800) at Kings
We figured Doncic would take on a more substantial role with LeBron sidelined, but he's on another level. This superstar is averaging 46 points, 11.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game. Most importantly, he's attempted 50 shots and 29 free throws while posting a league-leading 40 percent usage rate. This guy could maintain his 77-point average with that type of workload, especially since he faces a Sacramento team that was 22nd in total defense last season.
LaMelo Ball, Hornets ($9,000) at Wizards
LaMelo has gotten off to a slow start by his lofty standards, but this has always been one of the best options on DFS when healthy. That's what Ball is right now, scoring 35 DraftKings points in his debut. That's been his floor in the past, and we expect a bounce-back performance against the Wizards. Washington was one of the worst defenses in the NBA last season, ranked 28th in defensive efficiency and 29th in points allowed. Not to mention, Ball has scored at least 46 DK points in four of his last five matchups with the Wizards. We also don't mind that Ball had 27 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals on Saturday.
Forwards/Centers
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks ($11,400) at Cavaliers
Numerous players are throwing their hats in the MVP ring early on, and this former MVP is one of them. The Greek Freak is averaging 34 points, 17 rebounds and 6.0 assists through two games. He's also scored at least 63 DraftKings points in both of those and has posted season-long averages just shy of that for the last few years. A match-up with Cleveland can be challenging, but Antetokounmpo is averaging 66 DK points per game in his last eight matchups with the Cavs.
Domantas Sabonis, Kings ($9,000) vs. Lakers
Sabonis has been a double-double machine throughout his career, and he recorded another in his debut on Friday. What was really encouraging was that Domas played 36 minutes in his return to action while hitting a game-winning shot for the Kings. That's the momentum he'll be looking for because Sabonis scored at least 33 DraftKings points in 67 of the 68 games he finished last season. Not many players have a higher floor, and there's no chance that a defensively inept Deandre Ayton slows down this superstar. In four matchups with LA last season, Sabonis averaged 20 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game.
Expected Chalk
Kyshawn George, Wizards ($6,500) vs. Hornets
DFS managers are some of the sharpest sports fans today, and they'll surely be aware of what George is doing right now. He's actually become the best player for the Wizards, scoring 45 and 66 DK points through his first two games. The stat-stuffing is what fantasy managers love, with George averaging 27.5 points, 10 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. That profile was always in play, but seeing him take that next step should have him rostered in nearly every DFS lineup out there below $7K. We didn't even mention this matchup against the Hornets, with Charlotte ranked 24th in total defense last season.
Mid-Range Money
Khris Middleton, Wizards ($6,200) vs. Hornets
It's hard to believe we're back to Middleton, but this veteran looks like one of the most important pieces for this weak Washington roster. While he did struggle on Friday, this former All-Star dropped 36 DK points in his debut. That's on par with the average we saw in his Milwaukee days, with Middleton averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals since 2015. That's nearly a decade of great fantasy production, and we have to assume he'll be leaned on with how lackluster this lineup looks. Facing Charlotte is the icing on the cake, with the Hornets projected to be one of the worst defenses in the NBA.
Value Picks
Jaime Jaquez, Heat ($4,600) vs. Knicks
Jaime was one of the biggest surprises in the NBA throughout his rookie season, but his sophomore campaign had fantasy managers running for the hills. What's interesting is that he's being asked to be one of Miami's focal points on offense with Herro sidelined. That's led to Jaquez scoring 25 and 43 DK points through the first two games. That's amazing for such an affordable player, and it's likely to continue, since this team needs Jaquez to play 25-30 minutes off the bench. In his last game against the Knicks, Jaquez scored 35 fantasy points in one of his best games last season.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Hornets ($4,300) at Wizards
We weren't exactly sure who would start at center in Charlotte, but seeing this rookie get that opportunity is perfect for fantasy. The big man from Creighton was one of the best players in the country last season and showcased that with a double-double in his debut. All he needs is 25 minutes to flirt with a double-double with his skillset, and we saw him get 27 minutes on Friday. That's wonderful because Washington was one of the worst defenses in the NBA last season and has surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this year.
