This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
POR at MEM: The Grizzlies won two of three games over the Blazers last year, but all three matchups were decided by 16 points or more.
DEN at CHA: The Nuggets have won 12 of their last 13 games versus the Hornets.
GSW at CHI: The Warriors have won 17 of their last 20 games over the Bulls.
LAL at PHI: The Sixers have won eight of their last 10 games against the Lakers.
OKC at UTA: The Thunder have won 11 of their last 12 meetings with the Jazz.
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.
POR - Jrue Holiday (calf), Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Donovan Clingan (leg), Robert Williams (knee), Damian Lillard (Achilles)
MEM - Ja Morant (calf), Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr (toe)
DEN - Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Christian Braun (ankle)
CHA - LaMelo Ball (ankle), Tre Mann (ankle), Ryan Kalkbrenner (ankle), Brandon Miller (shoulder), Collin Sexton (thigh)
GSW - Stephen Curry (quad), Jimmy Butler (knee)
CHI - Kevin Huerter (hamstring), Coby White (calf), Tre Jones (ankle), Ayo Dosunmu (thumb)
LAL - Luka Doncic (baby), Marcus Smart (back), LeBron James (old)
PHI - Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (knee), Kelly Oubre Jr (knee), Trendon Watford (thigh)
OKC - Alex Caruso (quad), Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle), Luguentz Dort (adductor), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (rest)
UTA - Jusuf Nurkic (ribs), Walker Kessler (shoulder)
Elite Players
Guards
Tyrese Maxey, Sixers ($10,500) vs. Lakers
You would've thought Philly was having a nightmarish season if you saw how many games Embiid, George and Oubre have missed, but Maxey has done a wonderful job of keeping this team's head above water. This speedy point guard is averaging 31.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.7 steals en route to 54 DraftKings points per game. That sort of breakout season should lead to a massive game against a highlight team like the Lakers, with Maxey scoring 55 fantasy points in his most recent matchup with LA.
Josh Giddey, Bulls ($9,800) vs. Warriors
The Bulls made a fantastic deal when they acquired Giddey because this Aussie looks like a walking triple-double for the next decade. Giddey is averaging 20.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game. That gives the Aussie a 50-point average and a 40-point floor. Golden State has become one of the best defenses in the NBA, but it should be a close matchup between two mediocre teams. That should guarantee Giddey 35-40 minutes, which is incredible since he had at least 35 fantasy points in both matchups with the Warriors last year.
Forwards/Centers
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets ($13,000) at Hornets
Does much need to be said here? This three-time MVP has triple-double averages for the second-straight season, leading the league with 68 DraftKings points per game. That's paired with an absurd 50-point floor, which is higher than nearly every player's average on this slate. We would be happy to use Joker against anyone, but the Hornets are horrendous. Charlotte sits 23rd in points allowed and 24th in defensive efficiency, with Jokic scoring 67 and 80 DK points in his last two games against them.
Deni Avdija, Trail Blazers ($9,400) at Grizzlies
I've always been bullish on this Israeli, but I could never have seen a jump like this coming. Avdija has developed into a superstar player for the Blazers, scoring at least 48 DK points in five straight fixtures. That's right on par with his 47-point average, and it's been even better since he's become the primary ballhandler in the absence of Holiday. Matching up with Memphis is the icing on the cake, with the Grizzlies posting a 25th OPRK against opposing forwards.
Expected Chalk
Jalen Williams, Thunder ($7,800) at Jazz
With Gilgeous-Alexander sitting this game, look for Williams to do everything for the Thunder. He typically has a usage rate north of 30 percent with SGA off the floor, and you know OKC wants him to run the show here after missing the opening month of the season. He's scored at least 34 DraftKings points in all four games since returning, and we've seen him play at least 33 minutes in two of the last three outings. That should bode well against Utah, with the Jazz ranked 29th in defensive efficiency and points allowed. Don't be surprised to see Williams in half the lineups out there with Gilgeous-Alexander resting.
Mid-Range Money
Cameron Johnson, Nuggets ($5,400) at Hornets
Denver fans have been waiting for Cam to find his groove in this offense, and we're finally seeing glimpses of it. The absences of Gordon and Braun are what's really opened things up for Johnson, scoring at least 26 DraftKings points in seven of his last 10 outings. That's right in line with his 28-point average in that span, which is really all you can hope for from a $5,400 player. Facing Charlotte is sensational, too, because the Hornets sit 24th in total defense.
Cedric Coward, Grizzlies ($5,200) vs. Trail Blazers
This Grizzlies roster has been bombarded by injuries once again, but it looks like they've stumbled into a diamond in the rough with Coward. This Washington State alum scored a career-high 49 DraftKings points in his most recent outing, giving him a 27-point average for the season. We just talked about how that's an ideal average for such an affordable player, and Memphis needs him to keep doing that with so many players sidelined. Portland is a phenomenal matchup, too, ranked 25th in points allowed.
Value Picks
Ajay Mitchell, Thunder ($5,000) at Jazz
Somebody on this OKC roster is going to be in the optimal lineup with SGA sitting, and our Optimizer is predicting it'll be Mitchell. I agree with that assessment because this sophomore is averaging nearly 35 DraftKings points per game across his six starts. He's also scored at least 28 DK points in 15 of 16 games he's played at least 25 minutes, which seems likely since OKC is down a handful of rotation players. He's also more likely to play in this potential blowout as a youngster, which is terrific since Utah has the second-worst defense in the NBA.
Robert Williams, Trail Blazers ($4,900) at Grizzlies
Time Lord has always been one of the best per-minute producers in the NBA, and he could draw another start at center with Clingan nicked up. That's what we saw in Portland's most recent game, with Williams dropping 36 DraftKings points across 30 minutes of action. This guy has been a $6K player with a 25-minute role in the past, but it's scary to think how good he could be with a 30-minute opportunity. He scored at least 26 DK points in four of five games before that, despite never playing more than 21 minutes in any of those as a reserve! If Rob-Will is starting, he's one of the locks of the day!
Pat Spencer, Warriors ($3,600) at Bulls
Spencer was sprinkled across all of my lineups on Saturday, and he rewarded us with a career game. This guy is being asked to play point guard for the Warriors right now, and it's easy to understand why with Curry, Butler and Green all sidelined. That led to Spencer scoring 38 DK points, but he also had at least 29 fantasy points in three straight fixtures before that. That's impossible to find from a sub-$4K player, especially since he squares off with a Chicago team that sits 22nd in defensive efficiency and 26th in points allowed.
