This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BKN vs. TOR: The Raptors have won five straight over the Nets.
NYK vs. MIA: The Knicks have won 10 of their last 14 games over the Heat.
MIN vs. MIL: The Bucks have beaten the T'Wolves in five of their last six matchups.
WAS vs. SAS: The Spurs swept the two-game set over the Wizards last year.
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.
BKN - Cam Thomas (hamstring)
TOR - Jakob Poeltl (back), RJ Barrett (knee)
NYK - Miles McBride (ankle)
MIA - Andrew Wiggins (back), Tyler Herro (toe), Davion Mitchell (ankle), Nikola Jovic (elbow)
MIN - Mike Conley (Achilles)
MIL - Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), Kyle Kuzma (illness)
WAS - Khris Middleton (knee)
SAS - NONE
Elite Players
Guards
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves ($9,300) vs. Bucks
ANT always goes into these stretches where he looks like an MVP, and he's in one of those zones right now. Edwards has scored at least 57 DraftKings points in six of his last 10 games while averaging 32.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game in that span. That's the sort of stat-stuffing you see from a five-figure player, and we're not worried about a matchup with Milwaukee. The Bucks post a 24th OPRK against opposing SGs while sitting 21st in points allowed and 23rd in defensive efficiency.
Kevin Porter, Bucks ($8,400) at Timberwolves
One of the reasons Milwaukee's defense has been so poor is due to the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, but that's allowed KPJ to take over this team. The former first-round pick has a usage rate above 30 percent with Antetokounmpo off the floor, scoring at least 44 DraftKings points in six of his last seven outings. Porter is also averaging 20.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.3 steals since his return to action. That should continue with Porter's sky-high usage, and we don't mind that Minnesota owns an 18th OPRK against opposing point guards.
Forwards/Centers
Scottie Barnes, Raptors ($8,900) at Nets
Barnes isn't one of those guys who will blow up the box score with 40-point games, but he's one of the best all-around players in the league. His defense and stat-stuffing make Barnes an elite DFS option, averaging 44 DK points per game. He also has a 30-point floor while scoring at least 48 fantasy points in three of his last five fixtures. Our favorite part about using him here is the matchup with Brooklyn because the Nets surrender the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing forwards. That was on full display when Scottie scored 40 and 49 DK points in their two meetings this season.
Nic Claxton, Nets ($6,400) vs. Raptors
It's strange to see Claxton sitting around $6K because he's been playing at an $8K level. The big man has become one of the primary playmakers in Brooklyn, scoring at least 31 DraftKings points in five of his last six outings. He also has at least 38 fantasy points in four of those while displaying a 55-point ceiling in his most recent outing. Those types of monster games are more likely since Toronto is without its starting center, with Clax collecting 33 and 47 DK points in their two matchups this year.
Expected Chalk
Victor Wembanyama Spurs ($10,600) vs. Wizards
The ramp-up process for Wemby has been frustrating, but we have to be creeping closer to a full workload. The Frenchman was averaging nearly 60 DK points per game across 35 minutes before his injury and has scored at least 40 DK points in all three games since his return. That 40-point floor is even more incredible since Wembanyama didn't play over 21 minutes in any of those. We expect him to get above 25 minutes here, and seeing him at $10,600 against a 29th-ranked Washington defense makes him nearly impossible to avoid, even if he won't reach 30 minutes.
Mid-Range Money
Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves ($6,000) vs. Bucks
Why is Gobert still just $6,000? He's been sitting around this salary all season, and it makes no sense. This guy is typically between $7-$8K, and he's been playing like that for a month now. Gobert has at least 27 DraftKings points in 13 of his last 15 fixtures while generating a 34-point average in that span. Those are absurd averages from such an affordable player, but his floor is always high due to his double-double ways. Facing an undersized Milwaukee team only adds to his intrigue, with Rudy averaging 35 DK points per game in their two meetings last season.
Jaime Jaquez, Heat ($5,800) at Knicks
Jaquez was already amid a bounce-back season when Herro was healthy, but he's one of the primary playmakers with Herro sidelined. That's led to Jaime averaging 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season. Those numbers should be his floor with Miami's best player out, especially since the Heat are playing at one of the fastest paces in the NBA. Facing the Knicks is no easy task, but Jaquez had 43 and 30 DraftKings points against them earlier this year.
Value Picks
Myles Turner, Bucks ($5,300) at Timberwolves
Turner has struggled in his first season with the Bucks, but seeing him at $5,300 is hard to believe. Most players in this price range are below 25 DK points per game, but Turner still has a 27-point average. That's already a massive benefit for a $5,300 player, but we're talking about a guy who typically averages over 30 fantasy points per game. We expect to see more of those with Giannis sidelined, and Milwaukee needs him to play 35-40 minutes against one of the largest lineups in the NBA. We saw Turner score 35 and 31 DK points in his two most recent matchups with Minnesota, despite playing just 25 minutes per game. That 25-minute mark certainly won't happen here for the shorthanded Bucks.
Terance Mann, Nets ($3,900) vs. Raptors
This is far from an exciting play, but finding anybody below $4K could be a massive bump for your build. We don't expect Mann to be one of the highest-scoring players on this slate, but all we need is 20-30 DK points for him to be one of the best values on the board. That's what we've seen all year for this weak Brooklyn roster, with Mann averaging 20 DK points across 26 minutes a night. Even 20 fantasy points is fine from such a cheap player because using someone below $4K allows you to get numerous superstars into your lineup. He's also scored at least 29 fantasy points in two of his last three outings, which is tremendous since Toronto has a 19th OPRK against opposing wings.
