This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
POR at CLE: Cavs on two-game win streak.
IND at MIA: Heat on three-game slide.
CHA at BKN: Hornets on two-game slide; Nets on three-game win streak.
DET at NYK: Pistons on 15-game slide.
MIL at CHI: Bucks on three-game win streak; Bulls on five-game slide.
UTA at MIN: Jazz 1-8 on the road; Timberwolves 8-1 at home.
ATL at SAS: Hawks on two-game slide; Spurs have dropped 12 in a row.
LAL at OKC: Thunder on two-game slide.
LAC at GSW: Warriors 2-8 in last 10 games.
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Injuries to Monitor
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POR - Anfernee Simons (thumb): OUT
Malcolm Brogdon is up for another start.
IND - T.J. McConnell (hamstring): Questionable; Jalen Smith (heel): OUT
Andrew Nembhard and Obi Toppin are up for added playing time.
MIA - Jimmy Butler (ankle): Questionable; Tyler Herro (ankle): OUT
Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin should pick up more responsibility.
CHA - Brandon Miller (ankle): Questionable LaMelo Ball (ankle), Nick Richards (concussion: OUT
Bryce McGowens and JT Thor get a boost. Terry Rozier will start in place of Ball.
BKN - Royce O'Neale (hip): Questionable; Ben Simmons (back), Dennis Smith (back): OUT
Spencer Dinwiddie, Cam Thomas and Dorian Finney-Smith are in line for more playing time.
DET - Bojan Bogdanovic (calf): Questionable; Joe Harris (shoulder): OUT
Alec Burks and Isaiah Livers continue to step up.
MIL - Pat Connaughton (ankle): OUT
MarJon Beauchamp picks up more opportunity.
CHI - Alex Caruso (toe), DeMar DeRozan (ankle), Zach LaVine (foot): Questionable
Jevon Carter, Ayo Dosunmu and Torrey Craig could be up for bigger roles.
UTA - Jordan Clarkson (thigh), Kelly Olynyk (shoulder): Questionable; Lauri Markkanen (hamstring): OUT
Simone Fontecchio, Ochai Agbaji and Talen Horton-Tucker are up for more opportunity.
MIN - Anthony Edwards (hip): Doubtful; Jaden McDaniels (ankle): OUT
Kyle Anderson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have to step up.
ATL - Jalen Johnson (wrist): OUT
Saddiq Bey and Onyeka Okongwu should see more action.
SAS - Jeremy Sochan (knee): Probable; Victor Wembanyama (hip): Questionable
Cedi Osman, Tre Jones and Charles Bassey could see more responsibility.
LAL - Jaxson Hayes (elbow): Questionable; Rui Hachimura (nose), Gabe Vincent (knee), Jarred Vanderbilt (heel): OUT
Taurean Prince and Christian Wood are in line for more playing time.
LAC - Norman Powell (leg): Doubtful
Bones Hyland has to step up.
GSW - Chris Paul (leg), Gary Payton (calf): OUT
Moses Moody is likely to see a boost.
Elite Players
Guards
Jalen Brunson, Knicks ($8,400) vs. Pistons
Brunson is averaging 25.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.2 steals over his last five outings, including a high of 63.5 DK points. He faces another great opportunity to shine against the Pistons, who are giving up the league's most points per game to opposing point guards.
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers ($9,300) vs. Trail Blazers
Mitchell exploded for 69.3 DK points in the last game, as he finished with 40 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block, in a win over the Hawks. He faces a great opportunity to keep the momentum going against the Trail Blazers, who remain shorthanded in the backcourt, and who allow opposing shooting guards to shoot an average of 45.3 percent from the field.
Forwards/Centers
Paul George, Clippers ($8,900) at Warriors
George finished with 34.8 DK points, on 19 points, three rebounds and seven assists in the previous game, but he has gone over 40 DK points in seven of his last 10 outings, including a high of 55.8. George has a good chance to pad his stats against the Warriors, who are giving up the league's third-most free throws per game.
Julius Randle, Knicks ($8,900) vs. Pistons
Randle delivered an impressive 62 DK points, with 25 points, 20 rebounds, five assists and two steals in his last outing, and he is averaging 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 0.8 steals on the season. Randle is up for a strong opportunity to thrive against the Pistons, who give up the league's eighth-most points to opposing power forwards, while also allowing them to shoot a league-high 51.9 percent from the field.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves ($8,800) vs. Jazz
Towns is coming off a relatively unimpressive performance, with just 29 DK points in the last game, but he will likely have to step up and lead the offense against the Jazz, amidst the expected absence of Anthony Edwards. Towns is averaging 21.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game this season. He also faces a favorable matchup against the shorthanded Jazz frontcourt.
Expected Chalk
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks ($11,200) at Bulls
Antetokounmpo continues to devastate the competition, averaging 33.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks over the last six outings, including three with more than 69 DK points. He faces another great opportunity to stand out against the Bulls, who are giving up the league's second-most rebounds per game. Antetokounmpo also totaled 52.3 DK points in his previous meeting with the Bulls on November 13.
Value Picks
Tre Jones, Spurs ($4,900) vs. Hawks
Jones reached the 20 DK-point mark in three of the last four games and is averaging 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals over that span. He could be up for extra playing time if the Spurs end up shorthanded. He should also find opportunity to get his shot going from deep, as the Hawks give up the league's sixth-highest three-point shooting percentage to opposing point guards.
Caleb Martin, Heat ($4,900) vs. Pacers
Martin is averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals through seven games since returning from a two-week absence, and he must continue to step up for the shorthanded Heat. He should find a chance to proper against the Pacers, who are giving up 124.8 points per game, which is second most in the league.
Kyle Anderson, Timberwolves ($4,500) vs. Jazz
Anderson has plenty of room to step up with the absence of Jaden McDaniels and likely Anthony Edwards. Anderson reached at least 20 DK points in three of the last six games, including a high of 28.3. He also finished with 30.8 DK points in a previous meeting with the Jazz this season.
Georges Niang, Cavaliers ($3,900) vs. Trail Blazers
Niang topped 20 DK points in four of the last five outings, while averaging 11.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists over that span. He is likely find opportunity to pad his stats against the Trail Blazers, who are giving up the league's fifth-most rebounds per game.
Naz Reid, Timberwolves ($4,500) vs. Jazz
Reid continues to provide a solid boost off the bench, averaging 12.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He is up for a favorable matchup against the Jazz, who are shorthanded in the frontcourt, and who are giving up the league's fourth-most points per game to opposing centers.