This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
ATL vs. PHI: The Hawks have won six straight games over the Sixers.
BKN vs. MIL: The Bucks have won seven of their last 10 over the Nets.
CHI vs. NOP: The Pelicans have won three straight and six of their last eight against the Bulls.
MIN vs. SAC: The T'Wolves have won two of three games over the Kings this year.
POR vs. GSW: The Blazers have won both games against the Warriors this season, snapping a nine-game winning streak by Golden State in this series.
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.
ATL - Trae Young (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (illness), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle)
PHI - Joel Embiid (knee), Kelly Oubre (knee), Tyrese Maxey (illness)
BKN - Cam Thomas (hamstring)
MIL - Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), AJ Green (shoulder)
CHI - Coby White (calf), Kevin Huerter (hamstring), Ayo Dosunmu (thumb)
NOP - Zion Williamson (adductor), Dejounte Murray (Achilles)
MIN - Anthony Edwards (foot)
SAC - Domantas Sabonis (knee), Dennis Schroder (hip)
POR - Damian Lillard (Achilles), Donovan Clingan (leg), Jrue Holiday (calf), Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Robert Williams (illness)
GSW - Al Horford (back)
Elite Players
Guards
Josh Giddey, Bulls ($9,700) vs. Pelicans
It's hard to believe Chicago landed a 23-year-old walking triple-double to reignite their franchise. That's just what Giddey is right now, averaging 20.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game. Those stat-stuffing ways have led to Giddey posting a 49-point average and a 40-point floor. Both numbers should be easy to reach against a putrid Pelicans team, with New Orleans ranked 28th in points allowed and defensive efficiency.
Kevin Porter Jr, Bucks ($8,000) at Nets
Porter has always been an elite fantasy producer when given the opportunity, and that's just what Porter has right now with Giannis sidelined. That's allowing KPJ to do everything for this offense, scoring at least 41 DraftKings points in five straight fixtures. He's also scored 59 and 56 DK points in his two most recent outings, showcasing the upside that once made him one of the top prospects in the sport. A lackluster lineup like Brooklyn won't slow him down because the Nets rank 26th in defensive efficiency ratings.
Forwards/Centers
Jalen Johnson, Hawks ($10,800) vs. Sixers
We talked about how Giddey has been a walking triple-double, and Johnson is right there with him. JJ has been asked to take over this offense with Young out for the foreseeable future, which has led to Johnson averaging 53 DK points per game. His numbers since Trae went down are even more tremendous, averaging 24.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.7 steals over the last month. Those are Nikola Jokic-type numbers, and we love that Johnson had 41 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists against the Sixers in their most recent meeting just two weeks ago.
Derik Queen, Pelicans ($7,400) at Bulls
Many questioned the New Orleans deal when they traded up to land Queen, but it appears to be the right decision right now. This has been one of the best rookies in the NBA, averaging 30 DraftKings points per game. That production has skyrocketed since becoming the focal point of the offense over the last month, averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals across his last 20 outings. Queen has also showcased a 40-point ceiling in nearly half of those and truly looks like one of the best distributors from the center position. That's sensational against a team like Chicago, with the Bulls sitting 23rd in defensive efficiency and 27th in points allowed.
Expected Chalk
Michael Porter, Nets ($8,400) vs. Bucks
It's getting difficult for DFS managers to fade Porter with the way he's balling in Brooklyn right now. We all anticipated he would be the focal point of the Nets' offense after the offseason trade, but not many people expected him to perform at an All-Star level. MPJ has scored at least 36 DraftKings points in 13 of his last 16 outings while generating a 44-point average in that span. That's no surprise since he's averaging nearly 20 shots across 33 minutes a night. That sort of role makes him a beautiful option against the Bucks, with Milwaukee posting a 24th OPRK against opposing forwards. In their most recent matchup, MPJ provided 48 DK points, despite taking just nine shots!
Mid-Range Money
Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves ($6,100) vs. Kings
It's strange to see Gobert barely sitting above $6,000. This guy has hovered around $7-8K for most of his career, and it's far from shocking since he has one of the best floors in the NBA. His double-double ways have led to that elite floor, scoring at least 28 DK points in 10 of his last 12 outings. He also displayed a 51-point upside in his most recent outing while generating a 35-point average in that span. Those are fantastic numbers for a $6K player, and we can't overlook the fact that Sacramento surrenders the most fantasy points to opposing centers. That's why Rudy has a 38-point average in his last six matchups with Sacramento!
VJ Edgecombe, Sixers ($6,100) at Hawks
With half of Philly's roster on the injury report and Maxey expected to miss this game, Edgecombe should be the primary ball-handler for the Sixers. That's quite the promotion for an already impressive rookie, with VJ averaging 32 DK points across 35 minutes a night this season. Those are both absurd averages from a rookie, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Edgecombe play 40 minutes and take 20 shots with Maxey sidelined. That sort of opportunity is even more attractive against a team like Atlanta, with the Hawks ranked 21st in total defense while allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing guards.
Value Picks
Bobby Portis, Bucks ($5,500) at Nets
This has been a trend in Milwaukee for years, and we have to go back to the well. There's always a ton of usage left on the table when Giannis is sidelined, and Portis has always been the one to step up in the past. That's what we saw when BP provided 46 DK points in Milwaukee's most recent game. He also has at least 27 fantasy points in five straight fixtures, despite playing fewer than 25 minutes a night. He's simply one of the best per-minute producers, and that role and usage skyrocket every time Antetokounmpo is off the floor. Not to mention, the Nets allow the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing PFs.
Danny Wolf, Nets ($4,200) vs. Bucks
The Nets will have value all season due to the lack of firepower on this roster, but this rookie looks like something special. He's been the first player off the bench recently, scoring at least 30 DraftKings points in three of his last six outings. All you need is 20-25 fantasy points for Wolf to be an elite value, but he's crushed that in 50 percent of games over the last two weeks. It's not like the Nets have any stars who will keep him from playing 30 minutes and taking double-digit shots, which is what we saw when he posted a career-high 37 fantasy points against the Bucks just two weeks ago.
