This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
With just three games on the DraftKings DFS slate, you will need smart roster construction to identify value created by injuries and roster shakeups. Whether you're building DraftKings cash lineups or hunting upside in GPP tournaments, every decision matters on a short slate like this. I break down the elite plays, mid-range targets and value options while highlighting key injuries to monitor, projected chalk and matchup trends that can give you an edge heading into tip-off.
Slate Overview
MIA at WAS: The Heat have won four of their last five games over the Wizards.
LAC at MIN: The Timberwolves have won nine of their last 10 games against the Clippers.
IND at TOR: The Raptors have won five of their last six games 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.
MIA - Tyler Herro (ribs), Pelle Larsson (elbow), Norman Powell (hand)
WAS - Trae Young (trade), Anthony Davis (trade), Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson (tanking)
LAC - Darius Garland (toe), Bennedict Mathurin (trade)
MIN - NONE
IND - Ivica Zubac (ankle), Aaron Nesmith (elbow)
TOR - Immanuel Quickley (ankle), Jakob Poeltl (back)
Elite Players
Guards
Brandon Ingram, Raptors ($8,100) vs. Pacers
Ingram narrowly missed out on an All-Star appearance, but he's been playing like one all season. The former Laker has scored at least 32 DraftKings points in 24 of the last 26 games he's finished. Ingram is also averaging over 40 DK points per game in that span, scoring at least 40 fantasy points in 17 of those. Another one of those 40-point gems seems likely against Indiana, with the Pacers ranked 25th in points allowed. In their two most recent matchups, BI has scored 48 and 41 fantasy points.
Andrew Nembhard, Pacers ($7,600) at Raptors
It's been a rough season for Indy without Tyrese Haliburton, but it's allowed Nembhard to take over as the primary point guard. That extended gig has led to Nembhard averaging a career-high 35 DraftKings points per game. He's also scored at least 34 DK points in 13 of his last 16 fixtures while posting a 39-point average in that span. That's the best stretch of Nembhard's career, and we love that he has a 31-point average in three matchups against a tough Toronto defense this season.
Forwards/Centers
Bam Adebayo, Heat ($8,600) at Wizards
Bam got off to a slow start this season, but he's been one of the best centers in the NBA over the last two months. The big man has at least 36 DraftKings points in 15 of his last 17 outings while generating a 42-point average in that span. That's no surprise, since he's being asked to do more in Herro's absence, but it will continue if he sees 15-20 shots a game, as he has throughout this stretch. The best part is a matchup against a woeful Washington defense, with the Wizards surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing centers. Bam saw the Wizards three times last year, scoring at least 50 fantasy points in all of those!
Alex Sarr, Wizards ($7,700) vs. Heat
People were ready to call Sarr a bust after he went 0-for-15 in a Summer League game, but he's quietly developed into one of Washington's best players. The big man has broken out by averaging 37 DraftKings points per game this season. He's been even better recently, registering a 39-point average across his last 18 outings. He's also shown a 70-point ceiling, and few players in this price range have that kind of upside. Miami couldn't be a better matchup either, with the Heat ranked 22nd in total defense while playing at the fastest pace in the NBA.
Expected Chalk
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves ($9,700) vs. Clippers
Edwards is undoubtedly one of the best players in the NBA, and he's slowly getting into that MVP consideration. The former top pick has scored at least 41 DraftKings points in 21 of his last 24 outings. He's also averaging nearly 50 DK points per game in that span. That makes ANT one of the safest options on this short slate, especially since he has a 47-point average in his last three matchups with LA. There's nobody on this slate above $10,000, so look for ANT to be in nearly half the lineups out there.
Mid-Range Money
Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors ($5,700) vs. Pacers
The Poeltl injury has been unfortunate for Toronto, but it has forced Murray-Boyles to play a major role in his rookie season. We've really seen him take a massive step over the last month, averaging 33 DraftKings points per game across 29 minutes over his last 17 outings. The last 15 of those were in the starting lineup, and it's amazing to see this 20-year-old look so comfortable stuffing the stat sheet. Indiana is an incredible matchup, with the Pacers ranked 25th in points allowed and 20th in defensive efficiency. When they played a few weeks ago, CMB had a double-double en route to 31 DK points.
Bilal Coulibaly, Wizards ($5,200) vs. Heat
Coulibaly is one of the most talented players on this Washington roster, and it feels like he's the only one safe from their tanking. He was the only starter to play big minutes in their most recent win, with Coulibaly dropping 26 DK points across 36 minutes. He's now scored at least 24 fantasy points in 14 of the last 17 games he's finished. You can't ask for anything more from such a cheap player, especially one with this type of ability. We already mentioned how Miami is a magical matchup due to their pace, but we didn't mention that they surrender the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing forwards.
Value Picks
Jay Huff, Pacers ($5,000) at Raptors
Huff will likely return to a 15-minute reserve role when Ivica Zubac is ready to debut for Indiana, but he'll continue to start until then. Zoo is expected to be out until the All-Star break, which should guarantee Huff 20-30 minutes with Isaiah Jackson out of the picture as well. In the 27 games that Huff has played over 20 minutes, he's averaging 29 DraftKings points across 25 minutes a night. That's an amazing average for such an affordable player, and not many $5K players have the 50-point upside that we saw from Huff just last month.
Brook Lopez, Clippers ($4,600) at Timberwolves
It's unclear what the Clippers will do at center with Zubac being shipped to Indiana, but Lopez is the best bet to fill in as the starter. All we need is 25 minutes for Bro-Lo to be an elite value at this price tag because we're talking about a former All-Star who was $7K just two years ago. Getting more shots and minutes is what we're banking on, and we've seen him play well with that opportunity this season. If you look at the 10 games Lopez has played over 20 minutes, he's averaging 27 DK points per game across 27 minutes a night. He started seven of those games, dropping 38 DK points across 36 minutes in the first game since the Zoo trade.
