This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
CLE at NY: Cavaliers 6-6 on road; Knicks 14-2 at home
SAN at OKC: Spurs on seven-game winning streak, 10-5 on road; Thunder 14-0 at home
DAL at GS: Mavericks 3-9 on road; Warriors 9-4 at home
HOU at LAL: Rockets 9-8 on road; Lakers 7-4 at home
MIN at DEN: Timberwolves on three-game winning streak, 8-5 on road; Nuggets 9-5 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.
Injuries to Monitor
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report.
CLE - Evan Mobley (calf): Questionable; Larry Nance (calf), Max Strus (foot): OUT
NY - Miles McBride (ankle), Landry Shamet (shoulder): OUT
SAN - None
OKC - Jaylin Williams (heel), Ajay Mitchell (concussion): OUT
DAL - Klay Thompson (knee), Max Christie (illness), Brandon Williams (ankle), Dwight Powell (illness): Probable; P.J. Washington (foot): Questionable
GS - Al Horford (back): Probable; Seth Curry (thigh): OUT
HOU - Alperen Sengun (calf), Jae'Sean Tate (wrist), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle): Questionable
LAL - Rui Hachimura (groin): Probable; Luka Doncic (leg), Jaxson Hayes (ankle): Questionable; Gabe Vincent (back): OUT
MIN - Jaden McDaniels (oblique): Questionable
DEN - Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Cameron Johnson (knee), Christian Braun (ankle): OUT
Elite Players
Guards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder 
($10,500) vs. Spurs
The Thunder have lost to the Spurs twice in a two-week span, though Gilgeous-Alexander still posted at least 41.5 DK points in each of those games. The reigning MVP will look to lead his team to victory at home Thursday. The superstar has yet to record fewer than 41.5 DK points across eight appearances in December, during which he has averaged 32.4 points, 6.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 combined steals-plus-blocks per game.
Jalen Brunson, Knicks 
($9,100) vs. Cavaliers
Brunson missed Tuesday's loss to Minnesota due to an ankle issue but is set to return for Christmas Day. The star point guard has been on a tear of late, generating 41.5-plus DK points in eight straight appearances. During that span, he has averaged 32.3 points, 6.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds across 36.6 minutes per contest.
Forwards/Centers
Anthony Davis, Mavericks 
($9,500) at Warriors
Davis has stuffed the stat sheet of late and will look to do so again Christmas Day. The star big man has logged 42.5 or more DK points in six consecutive contests, racking up four double-doubles over that stretch. During that span, he has averaged 26.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks in 34.2 minutes per tilt.
LeBron James, Lakers 
($9,300) vs. Rockets
James got off to a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign after missing an extended period due to sciatica, but he has since turned things around. The superstar has put up at least 36.0 DK points in each of the Lakers' last five games, averaging 26.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals in 33.8 minutes per tilt in that span.
Kevin Durant, Rockets 
($8,600) at Lakers
Durant has strung together several strong performances recently and will look to continue that trend against a less-than-impressive Lakers defense. The superstar has recorded 32.8 or more DK points in five consecutive contests, including three outings with at least 50.5. During that stretch, he has averaged 26.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.4 blocks while shooting 53.6 percent from beyond the arc in 40.8 minutes per game.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets 
($12,500) vs. Timberwolves
The three-time MVP continues to put up massive stat lines and has yet to finish with fewer than 39.3 DK points on the campaign. Jokic and the Nuggets have already played the Timberwolves twice this season, and he has recorded at least 67.5 DK points in each of those outings. The superstar big man has averaged 26.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 10.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game against Minnesota so far this season.
Mid-Range Money
Cooper Flagg, Mavericks ($7,300) at Warriors
Flagg has shown rapid progression since his first month in the NBA and has stuffed the stat sheet of late. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has racked up 34.0-plus DK points in seven consecutive contests, averaging 25.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steals in 37.7 minutes per game during that span.
Devin Vassell, Spurs 
($5,800) at Thunder
With the Spurs at full strength, Vassell's salary has dropped since November. However, his price offers value, as he has posted 22.5-plus DK points in six straight games. The 25-year-old has also had success against Oklahoma City thus far, recording 26.3 DK points against the Thunder on Tuesday and 40.8 on Dec. 13. He has averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per tilt against the Thunder this season.
Value Picks
Luguentz Dort, Thunder ($4,500) vs. Spurs
Dort has struggled this season but appears to be trending in the right direction. The defensive-minded swingman has scored in double figures in three straight games, recording at least 19.5 DK points in each of them. During that stretch, he has averaged 13.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 28.7 minutes per game.
Tim Hardaway, Nuggets ($4,000) vs. Timberwolves
Hardaway has provided a spark recently and could take on an increased role with Cameron Johnson (knee) joining Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) on the sidelines. Hardaway has posted 30.3-plus DK points in back-to-back outings, knocking down at least six triples and scoring 21 or more points in each of them.
Sam Merrill, Cavaliers 
($4,000) at Knicks
Merrill has made just two appearances following a 14-game absence due to a sprained hand, though he has played 26 minutes in each of those outings. The sharpshooter got the starting nod in Tuesday's win over the Pelicans, racking up 44.5 DK points in a well-rounded performance. He'll likely remain in the starting five Thursday and carries significant value at a relatively low price.
