This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Life was so simple with a two-game slate! Tonight is a 12-game affair, with a myriad of ways to go.
It'll be impossible to get to everything -- I feel like a kid in a candy shop with all the delectable matchups but as always, we'll feature three options at varying price points for each position.
Before that, we'll briefly run down the usual list of high-salary players. DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis will meet value in Dallas, and it's hard to fade Giannis against Detroit, but my favorite high-salary matchup is James Harden ($11,000) against a floundering Atlanta team that's on a seven-game skid. Honorable mention here is LeBron James ($10,600) against the Wizards. The King always plays well against Washington, and they don't have a whole lot to stop him on the wing.
Again, so many matchups, and I can't justfy spending up on more than one $10K-plus option tonight. As you'll see, there's plenty of lower-lying fruit.
GUARDS
D'Angelo Russell, BKN at LAL ($7,900): Russell has had this one circled on the calendar for months. If you're into the "revenge game" narrative, this one's a doozie. It should be a game of high drama at the Staples Center worthy of a Hollywood backdrop as Russell faces the Lakers, who sent him off to Brooklyn in the offseason after two rocky seasons in Tinseltown. He did a lot of growing up in LA, and now he's matured into a bona-fide offensive threat. He'll be firing on all cylinders tonight.
Evan Fournier, ORL vs. CHI ($6,900): I fail to see how he's still at this price, but who's complaining? He likes to heave up the long ball and the Bulls rank 25th against shots beyond the arc. Fournier has shoot better than 50 percent from the field in each of his last four games and barring a cold streak he'll have a big game at home.
Tim Hardaway Jr., NY vs. PHO ($5,700): He's found his stroke after a mediocre start and is finally looking like the player who wowed fans in Atlanta with his dominating play. He's in the midst of a three-game tear where he's averaging 23.3 points, five assists and five rebounds per game, and he faces a Phoenix team that's allowing almost 117 points to opposing teams. Chalk it up!
Other guards to consider:Ben Simmons, PHI vs. IND ($9,100), Dennis Schroder, ATL vs. HOU ($7,100), Malcolm Brogdon, MIL at DET ($5,200)
FORWARDS
Aaron Gordon, ORL vs. CHI ($7,300): A habitual stat-line filler, Gordon is shooting an insane 56.1 percent from the floor, which ranks fourth in the NBA among power forwards. The Magic are 6-2 and outperforming expectations, and Gordon is a huge part of that. He's a pristine example of value in the $7K range.
Paul Millsap, DEN vs. MIA ($6,700): Millsap has had to adjust to not being the center of attention in Denver, but he's come along and I like him at this price. He's averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and four assists over the past four games and his usage has ticked up as well, logging almost 32 minutes per game over that same span. It's not easy playing second fiddle to Nikola Jokic under the basket, but Millsap is making it work.
T.J. Warren, PHO at NY ($5,600): Warren lit up the Wizards for 40 points earlier in the week and I'm riding the hot hand. While it's not the best matchup for him, it's hard to ignore this huge uptick in production. On a team where it's open season and several players are jockeying for playing time, Warren is the unquestioned every-day starter at the three and it could be Warren's breakout year.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. BKN ($4,700): No, Kuzma is no secret anymore, but fortunes have changed in LA. Larry Nance Jr. is out with a fractured thumb and could be out for a month. While Julius Randle ($4,700) is a good value and will definitely see an uptick in minutes, Kuzma is going to receive the biggest boost from this injury. The rookie is freakishly good in the low post but can get outside as well. Both of these teams are a bit sloppy defensively, but Kuzma will get his share.
Other forwards to consider:LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. CHA ($8,100), Kevin Love, CLE at WAS ($7,500), Lauri Markkanen, CHI at ORL ($6,400)
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI ($8,300) vs. Domantas Sabonis, IND ($6,300): I put these two together in this format because the clash between these two players should be fun to watch. They are both electrifying in their own way, with Sabonis looking especially good in place of Myles Turner (concussion). These players could cancel each other out, but from a tournament perspective, I'm not fading either of them.
Clint Capela, ATL vs. HOU ($6,900): Capela's having a career year and the Hawks rank 29th in rebound percentage. Couple all that with low morale in Atlanta, and I see a big day for Capela and the Rockets. While he's averaging a double-double per game this season, he's actually averaging a whopping 13.3 rebounds over the last three games. A great value if you're spending up at other positions.
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. CLE ($5,900): I don't trust Cleveland's ability to get it done in the paint with Gortat under the basket. The Cavs have been underwhelming defensively, and while it's always risky to bet against LeBron James and Kevin Love, I like Gortat in this one with a big rebounding day, especially as a tournament option.
Other centers to consider:Andre Drummond, DET vs, MIL ($8,200), Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. CHI ($7,200), Dwight Howard, CHA at SA ($7,000)
As always, check your lineups before tip-off to avoid any late scratches. Have a great week
