This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
NOP vs. GSW: The Warriors swept the four-game set over the Pelicans last year.
HOU vs. ORL: The Rockets have won three straight over the Magic.
DAL vs. POR: The Mavericks have won seven of their last eight games over the Trail Blazers.
PHX vs. ATL: The Hawks have won five of their last six games over the Suns.
UTA vs. CHI: The Bulls have won five of their last six games over 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.
WAS - Bilal Coulibaly (leg)
BKN - Cam Thomas (hamstring)
NOP - Dejounte Murray (Achilles), Zion Williamson (hamstring), Jordan Poole (knee)
GSW - Jonathan Kuminga (knee)
HOU - Fred VanVleet (knee), Tari Eason (oblique)
ORL - Paolo Banchero (groin)
POR - Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Damian Lillard (Achilles)
DAL - Kyrie Irving (knee), P.J. Washington (shoulder), Anthony Davis (calf)
ATL - Trae Young (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (?)
PHX - Grayson Allen (quad), Jalen Green (hamstring), Mark Williams (?)
UTA - Walker Kessler (shoulder)
CHI - Josh Giddey (ankle), Coby White (calf)
Elite Players
Guards
Josh Giddey, Bulls ($9,700) at Jazz
Giddey fully practiced on Friday, so he looks ready to return to the lineup after suffering an ankle injury earlier in the week. The Aussie has been one of the best players in the NBA, averaging 21.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game. That's led to Giddey scoring at least 38 DraftKings points in every game this season while posting a 51-point average. That should be easy to duplicate against the Jazz, with Utah ranked 24th in defensive efficiency and 25th in points allowed.
Devin Booker, Suns ($9,500) vs. Hawks
We just discussed how this Phoenix-Atlanta matchup is projected to be close, which is a wonderful factor when considering a player like Booker. That means he should be in line for his typical 35-40 minutes and 20-25 shots as the primary playmaker for Phoenix. That monstrous role has led to Book scoring at least 41 fantasy points in 11 of 13 outings. That's a fabulous floor, and they need him to do that with Green, Allen and Williams all nicked up. Matching up with Atlanta is amazing, with the Hawks ranked ninth in pace while allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing guards. In his last game against the Hawks, Booker had 35 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Forwards/Centers
Jalen Johnson, Hawks ($9,100) at Suns
Johnson is stepping into superstardom territory in the absence of Young, posting one of the most impressive triple-doubles in NBA history in his most recent outing. JJ had 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists and seven steals en route to 92 DK points and is only two assists away from three straight triple-doubles. That's a truly stupendous stretch, and we expect him to be the primary playmaker as long as Young is sidelined. Facing Phoenix can be intimidating, but this is expected to be a close game between evenly matched teams.
Lauri Markkanen, Jazz ($8,500) vs. Bulls
Markkanen has always had the potential to be an All-Star player, and he's showcasing that ability through the opening month. The big man has scored at least 33 DraftKings points in 11 of 12 games while scoring at least 54 DK points three times. He also put on a 77-point masterclass earlier this season and should continue to be leaned on heavily for this lackluster Utah roster. A revenge game against Chicago is the icing on the cake, with the Bulls ranked fourth in pace and 20th in total defense.
Expected Chalk
Stephen Curry, Warriors ($9,100) at Pelicans
Curry might be the most beloved player in the NBA, and everyone knows when he's going off. That's just what Chef Curry is cooking up right now, scoring 64 and 66 DraftKings points in his two most recent games. DFS managers will trust that against a putrid Pelicans team, with New Orleans ranked 23rd in points allowed and 28th in defensive efficiency. That was on full display when Curry scored at least 40 fantasy points in five of his last six matchups with New Orleans.
Mid-Range Money
Desmond Bane, Magic ($7,300) at Rockets
There's been a ton of discussion about Bane's early-season struggles in Orlando, but that will change as long as Banchero remains sidelined. That should force Bane to be one of the focal points of this offense, and we've seen him be an $8K player with that type of opportunity in the past. He's shown some flashes of getting out of that slump by scoring at least 35 DK points in three of his last five fixtures. That's what you're looking for from a player in this price range, and we love that Bane has at least 30 fantasy points in 13 straight matchups with the Rockets while averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game.
Naji Marshall, Mavericks ($5,200) vs. Trail Blazers
The Mavericks have been looking for a primary ball-handler all season, and it appears they've stumbled into one with Marshall. This versatile forward has at least 22 DK points in six straight outings while dropping 45 fantasy points in his most recent game. Most importantly, he's regularly playing 30 minutes a night while posting a 35-point average across his last five outings. That's an astounding average from such an affordable player, but he had an identical average in the final month of last season. Not to mention, Portland ranks second in pace and 22nd in points allowed.
Value Picks
Jeremiah Fears, Pelicans ($5,100) vs. Warriors
To say the Pelicans have been a flightless bird this season would be a drastic understatement. They've played more like an ostrich with its head in the ground, but Fears has been a nice find. The rookie has been the starting point guard in the absence of Poole, posting a 32-point average across his last nine outings. That culminated in a 42-point gem in his most recent game, finishing with 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and seven steals. There's simply not much on this pitiful Pelicans roster, so look for Fears to play 30-35 minutes every night, no matter what, while taking on most of the ball-handling opportunities.
Donovan Clingan, Trail Blazers ($4,900) at Mavericks
Clingan has struggled a bit this season, but seeing him below $5,000 is disrespectful. Despite a slow start, Clingan is still averaging 25 DK points per game. That's really all you can hope for from a $5K player, but this big man flirted with a 35-point average in a similar role last season. This is probably the lowest salary we'll see for Clingan for the remainder of the season, and seeing it against a shorthanded Dallas team makes him impossible to fade. The Mavericks own a 20th OPRK against opposing centers, with Clingan collecting 32 fantasy points across 24 minutes in their most recent matchup last season.
