This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Tonight's DraftKings NBA DFS slate is shaped by a busy schedule, shifting NBA starting lineups and a lengthy NBA injury report that opens the door for both elite plays and value options. With multiple teams dealing with key NBA player injuries, staying on top of the latest NBA news, depth charts and expected rotations is essential for building competitive lineups. This guide blends recent NBA player stats, matchup trends and updated NBA player projections to highlight top targets, likely chalk and salary-saving picks. Whether you rely on a lineup optimizer or manual research, this breakdown is designed to help maximize roster construction and DFS upside.
Try our DraftKings NBA Lineup Optimizer to discover more expert recommendations, customize the player pool, set exposure percentage and mass-enter DFS lineups.
NBA Games Today
MIA at IND: Heat 5-5 in last 10 games; Pacers 5-15 at home
LAC at DET: Clippers 8-2 in last 10 games, 5-14 on road; Pistons on three-game win streak, 14-3 at home
SAS at BOS: Spurs 12-6 on road; Celtics 8-2 in last 10 games
DAL at CHI: Mavs 4-13 on road; Bulls on three-game slide
CHA at UTA: Hornets on two-game slide; Jazz 9-11 at home
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.
NBA Injury Report Today
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report.
MIA - Jaime Jaquez (illness): Questionable
IND - Andrew Nembhard (back): Questionable; Bennedict Mathurin (thumb): OUT
LAC - Kawhi Leonard (ankle): Questionable; Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring), Derrick Jones (knee): OUT
DET - Cade Cunningham (wrist), Isaiah Stewart (illness): Questionable; Jalen Duren (ankle), Tobias Harris (hip): OUT
SAS - Julian Champagnie (back): Questionable; Devin Vassell (thigh): OUT
DAL - Anthony Davis (finger), P.J. Washington (ankle), Brandon Williams (illness): OUT
CHI - Kevin Huerter (back), Jalen Smith (concussion): Questionable; Josh Giddey (hamstring): OUT
CHA - Pat Connaughton (illness): Questionable
UTA - Jusuf Nurkic (toe): Questionable; Ace Bailey (hip), Lauri Markkanen (rest): OUT
Elite NBA DFS Picks
Guards
Keyonte George, Jazz 
($8,500) vs. Hornets
George finished with 19 points in the last game, which marked just the second time in 13 outings that he finished with less than 20, while averaging 27.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.3 steals over that span. He has a great chance to keep rolling against the Hornets, who are giving up the league's sixth-most points per game and second-highest field-goal percentage to opposing point guards.
Derrick White, Celtics 
($7,900) vs. Spurs
White is averaging 18.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks over the last 10 games, including two outings with more than 50 DK points. He faces a favorable matchup against a Spurs team that is giving up the league's most points and second-most rebounds per game to opposing point guards. Additionally, White is shooting 7.1 percent better from long range at home compared to on the road this season.
Forwards/Centers
Pascal Siakam, Pacers 
($8,600) vs. Heat
Siakam reached the 30-point mark twice in the last three outings and is averaging 24.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals over the last 10 games, including three with at least 50 DK points. He has a good chance to pad his stats against the Heat, who give up the league's second-most rebounds per game to opposing power forwards. Siakam also finished with 33 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in his last meeting with the Heat.
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs 
($9,900) at Celtics
Wembanyama topped 45 DK points in back-to-back games off the bench since returning from a two-game absence. He faces a tough matchup against a competent Celtics squad, but he should be able to take advantage of the fact that they do not boast a lot of size in their frontcourt rotation.
Nikola Vucevic, Bulls 
($7,900) vs. Mavericks
After a bit of a lull in early-December, Vucevic has picked up his play again, averaging 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists over the last five games, including two with at least 50 DK points. He has an advantageous matchup against the Mavericks' shorthanded frontcourt, which already is giving up the league's most points in the paint and second-most rebounds per game.
Expected NBA DFS Chalk
Cooper Flagg, Mavericks 
($7,800) at Bulls
Flagg racked up 26 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and a block in the last game and is averaging 20.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.2 steals over 10 games, including two with at least 60 DK points. He faces a good opportunity to keep up the strong play with a matchup against the Bulls, who give up the league's ninth-highest field-goal percentage and eighth-most rebounds per game. He must also carry a greater offensive load in the absence of Anthony Davis, Brandon Williams, and P.J. Washington.
Mid-Range NBA DFS Picks
Tyler Herro, Heat 
($6,800) at Pacers
Herro is up for his second game back from a three-week absence, after he produced 32.3 DK points with 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the last outing. He has a good chance to build momentum against the Pacers, who give up the league's second-most points per game to opposing shooting guards. The Pacers are also dealing with injuries to a couple of key wing players.
Matas Buzelis, Bulls ($6,300) vs. Mavericks
Buzelis is averaging 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 blocks over the last 10 games, including four with over 35 DK points. He is likely to prosper against the Mavericks, who are missing both their starting power forward and starting center.
NBA DFS Value Picks
Max Christie, Mavericks ($4,600) at Bulls
Christie has scored in double digits in five straight games, with a high of 25 points, while averaging 18.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists over that span. He should continue to fill it up with another chance at increased responsibility, as he faces a seventh consecutive start for his injury-riddled squad. He also has a good chance to prosper against the Bulls, who give up the league's fifth-most points per game.
Pelle Larsson, Heat ($4,000) at Pacers
Larsson is averaging 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists across his last five appearances, including three with more than 30 DK points. He could see a bump in playing time if Jaime Jaquez (illness) is sidelined, and he would likely do well against the Pacers, who are giving up the league's sixth-most points and fourth-most rebounds per game.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Hornets 
($4,400) at Jazz
Kalkbrenner is set to return from a three-week absence and has a good chance to get back on track against the Jazz, who give up the league's third-highest field-goal percentage to opposing centers, and who are shorthanded in the frontcourt.
