This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
TOR vs. MIL (-6.5), O/U: 233.5
BKN vs. LAL (-2.5), O/U: 236.5
MIA (-1.5) vs. SAC, O/U: 223.5
Thursday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST and includes three games. Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant are out, while Kyle Lowry is listed as questionable. The Kings will be without Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes. The Nets are expected to have Kyrie Irving back for tonight's marquee matchup against the Lakers.
All three games have merit to target. It will be important to keep an eye on Kyle Lowry's status. Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam already have discounted salaries, and if Lowry were to sit, both would be popular plays. LeBron James will arguably be playing in his most advantageous spot of the season, without Anthony Davis, against a bad Brooklyn defense. The Nets are still without Kevin Durant, which increases James Harden and Kyrie Irving's appeal. The chalk of the night will be Hassan Whiteside, who just so happens to be playing in a revenge game against the Heat. The Kings will be without Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes, so I'd expect people to look for other value there as well.
Injuries to Monitor
Anthony Davis (calf): OUT
Davis will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks. Kyle Kuzma ($6,700) started at power forward last time out, while Markieff Morris ($3,200) saw increased run off the bench.
Kevin Durant (hamstring): OUT
Durant will miss a third consecutive game tonight. Bruce Brown ($4,100) or Jeff Green ($5,200) will start at power forward.
Kyrie Irving (back): PROBABLE
Irving is expected to return tonight after a one-game absence due to a sore lower back.
Jrue Holiday (COVID-19): QUESTIONABLE
Holiday hasn't played since Feb. 6th due to the league's health and safety protocols but is listed as a game-time decision tonight. Donte DiVincenzo ($5,400) has been starting at point guard in his place.
Kyle Lowry (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Lowry suffered an ankle injury on Tuesday is listed as questionable for tonight. If he were to sit, Terence Davis ($3,000) could see increased minutes.
Harrison Barnes (foot): OUT
Barnes will miss at least one game after injuring his foot on Sunday. Glenn Robinson ($3,300), and DaQuan Jeffries ($3,100) should see extra run in his absence.
Richaun Holmes (knee): OUT
Holmes will miss a second consecutive game as he continues to manage knee soreness. Marvin Bagley ($4,800) will likely start at center, and Hassan Whiteside ($4,600) should see increased run off the bench.
Elite Players
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,900), James Harden ($10,600) and LeBron James ($10,200) are the three players with five-figure salaries on tonight's slate. Giannis has been on a tear, as he's put up at least 70 DK points in three of the past four games. The Bucks will try to end a four-game losing streak in tonight's rematch with Toronto. Harden has scored 68 and 72 DK points in back-to-back games as the Nets have been without Kevin Durant. They are expected to have Kyrie Irving back for tonight's marquee matchup against the Lakers. LeBron is coming off 58 DK points in the absence of Anthony Davis, and the Lakers have their highest implied total of the season tonight against a bad Nets defense. All three players are in good spots tonight, and I think it makes sense to have exposure to each if you're playing multiple lineups. If not, I prefer Giannis from a raw points perspective, but on a three-game slate, it makes sense to go with the guy who correlates best with the rest of your lineup.
Kyrie Irving ($8,900) and Jimmy Butler ($8,800) can be rostered for significantly cheaper, and both guys have the upside to be the slate's highest scorer. Irving is expected to return after sitting out Tuesday with a sore back. He's put up 56.5 and 58 DK points in his last two games without Kevin Durant on the floor. Butler continues to be incredibly consistent, as he's scored at least 53 DK points in four of the last five. The Heat are in a good spot tonight against the Kings, and he still feels like a bargain at $8,800. I plan on having exposure to both players, especially if a lack of cheap value makes it difficult to spend all the way up in multiple spots.
Expected Chalk
Hassan Whiteside ($4,600)
The Kings will be without Richaun Holmes for a second consecutive game tonight. Whiteside exploded for 58 DK points in 26 minutes on Monday. Playing time is always the concern with Whiteside, but with Holmes out, he should see mid-20s minutes at the minimum. It doesn't hurt that he will be facing his old team, as there was frequent animosity between him and the Heat during his time there. I'd expect him to be very popular in all contests, and I think the $4,600 salary makes it tough to fade.
Value Picks
Bam Adebayo ($8,200)
Adebayo's salary is the cheapest it's been in 10 games for a prime matchup against the Kings, who will be missing Richaun Holmes.
Fred VanVleet ($7,900)
Kyle Lowry is listed as questionable tonight, and if he were to miss, VanVleet would likely be a chalky mid-range play. Regardless, he's good value against the Bucks tonight, as he's seen his salary drop under 8K for the first time in seven games and is coming off 53 DK points in the same matchup on Tuesday.
Pascal Siakam ($7,600)
Siakam can also be rostered at a bit of a discount tonight. He would also get a slight bump if Lowry were to miss. He's coming off 51 DK points in the same matchup against the Bucks on Tuesday.
Marvin Bagley ($4,800)
The Kings will be without Richaun Holmes for a second consecutive game. Bagley put up 31 DK points in just 21 minutes last time out. I'd expect a few more minutes tonight as the Kings will be without Harrison Barnes as well.
Cory Joseph ($3,900)
Joseph made his first start of the season on Monday and scored 32 DK points while playing 31 minutes. He could be in line for another start, as the Kings will be without Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes tonight. There isn't much for cheap value as it stands, and relatively safe minutes make Joseph a viable option.
