Injuries are starting to really take their toll in NBA DFS, as 4 of the top 5 highest priced players on tonight's slate (Towns, James, Davis, Embiid) are either confirmed out or a very good possibility of missing.

Without the big hosses in action, prices across the board have waned a bit, as Andre Drummond is the only other player listed above $9k. Therefore, it should be a value day as we crack open this 7-game slate to start the week.

Tonight's DFS Headlines

Pelicans @ Pistons

The Pistons could be a good team to target against after they've lost to Cleveland and Chicago in consecutive games. The loss to the Bulls on Saturday came with Chicago riding a six-game losing streak and playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.

76ers @ Pacers

Fire up the LineStar usage matrix for this game, as Joel Embiid (finger) sits for the 76ers and Miles Brogdon (back,illness) and / or Domantas Sabonis (knee) could be out for Indiana.

Bulls @ Celtics

The Bulls were dominated 70-36 in the paint vs. Indiana on Friday and were saved by Andre Drummond repeating that feat when he was ejected in the 3rd quarter of Saturday's tilt. It's still a good spot to attack Boston bigs in this one though.

Thunder @ Timberwolves

Minnesota gave up 139 points to the Rockets on Saturday in a 30-point loss. OKC scored 139 in a 12 point win when these two teams met up on December 6th.

Hornets @ Trail Blazers

Hassan Whiteside has a great matchup with Charlotte's #30 ranked defense vs. the center but he missed Saturday's game with Milwaukee with an illness. Portland, in the meantime, has dropped 8 of the last 10.

Magic @ Kings

Sacramento players don't have much value tonight, as Orlando has held 4 of their last 5 opponents to 98 points or less.

Cavaliers @ Lakers

It's next man up for the Lakers, as both LeBron James (illness) and Anthony Davis (rear contusion) missed Saturday's game. It might have been a bench game anyway tonight with Cleveland coming to town.

Guards

Derrick Rose DK $6.7k | FD $6.9k

Derrick Rose has scored 20+ real points in 7 of the last 8 and has at least 5 assists in 5 of the last 6. The Pistons have a solid matchup with a very banged up Pelicans squad that allowed 140 points to the Celtics on Saturday. New Orleans is especially bad defending the back court, as they rank 29th defensively vs. the PG spot allowing just under 50 fp/48. 4 of the last 5 SGS have also hit 33+ fp vs. New Orleans. Rose has gone 6X tonight's price in 3 of the past 4 games.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander DK $6.3k | FD $6.7k

The Timberwolves gave up 239 points to the Rockets on Saturday, yet the betting total for tonight's matchup with the Thunder is down to 219. Either way, the Minnesota back court just got exploited for 62 points, 18 rebounds, and 18 assists by the combination of Harden and Westbrook with about 30 minutes of playing time for each. Minnesota ranks 25th defensively vs. the SG which is good for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tonight. The OKC guard has 20+ real points in 5 of 6 and has 7+ rebounds in 6 of the last 8. Gilgeous-Alexander has at least 15 shots in 8 of 10 and Minnesota is way down there in rebounding at 19th. OKC also gets the 2nd best pace boost of the night behind Charlotte.

Darius Garland DK $4.8k | FD $4.7k

Darius Garland has stepped up in the wake of Cleveland's trade of Jordan Clarkson to Utah. The rookie has averaged 15.3 points and 4.3 assists since seeing a more expanded role in the offense. That increase in usage includes logging 34+ minutes in 7 straight games while getting at least 11 shots in each. Cleveland is likely without Dante Exum as well as Kevin Porter, Jr. tonight in L.A. The matchup with the Lakers #3 defensive efficiency isn't the best, but 4 of the past 5 PGs have put up 33+ fp vs. Los Angeles.

🏀👍 Other Likes  / Dislikes 👍🏀

Lonzo Ball ($6.9k) has hit 6X tonight's price in 5 of 7 and plays a Detroit team that has lost back-to-back games at home vs. Cleveland and Chicago.

Rajon Rondo ($3.9k) went for a 13X 51fp Saturday night with the Lakers missing A.D. and LeBron. He only needs about half that for value tonight if he plays (finger).

Forwards

Jayson Tatum DK $7.7k | FD $8k

Boston doesn't really have a center to attack (DFS wise) Chicago's poor interior defense, especially with Daniel Theis out. The Bulls are also weak dVp against the PF though, also ranking 30th allowing 52.41 fp/48. That puts Jayson Tatum in a great spot if Chicago can keep things close (BOS -10). Tatum is coming off a 16-22 shooting night (6-9 from three) which will be hard to duplicate the 64fp. He did have 28/9 vs. Chicago on January 4th though, which would be 6X at this price.

Brandon Ingram DK $8.1k | FD $9.1k

Brandon Ingram' has hit 6X tonight's price in 3 of the last 4 games. His production dipped on Saturday as the Pelicans lost by 35 to Boston. New Orleans has a much better matchup with Detroit tonight and Ingram could get as many shots as he wants if JJ Redick, Kenrich Williams, Derrick Favors, and Jrue Holiday all miss another game. The assist numbers have really climbed without Holiday, as Ingram has 25 total in the last three. Detroit had already ranked 30th vs. the PF over the last 5 just mostly on points and rebounds, so that gives Ingram a better chance to be a hit tonight.

Kyle Kuzma DK $5.9k | FD $4.7k

Under $5k for Kyle Kuzma on FD even though he hit 9X that price on Saturday? OK. The Lakers were without LeBron James and Anthony Davis in that game vs. OKC, but will either or both really rush back to face Cleveland? LAL is a -14 favorite tonight so there is a good chance the bench and players like Kuzma see tons of minutes vs. the Cavs anyway. Kuzma has 22 and 24 shots the last two games while averaging 37 minutes. He only needs a 28 fp night for 6X value in this spot. Yes, please.

🏀👍👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍👍🏀

Carmelo Anthony ($5.4k) is a salary saver with upside tonight especially a) at home, b) against a Hornets team struggling defensively in the front court and c) with Charlotte being on leg two of the back-to-back.

Center

Hassan Whiteside DK $8.2k | FD $10k

Is it better to miss a game with injury or illness? Hassan Whiteside did sit on Saturday because he was sick but at least when a bug goes away, it doesn't linger like a sore knee. Either way, it's a good matchup tonight vs. a Charlotte team that ranks 30th defensively vs. the C position. Rudy Gobert just had a 15 point, 13 rebound night vs. the Hornets on Friday...in 29 minutes of court time. Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 9 rebounds against the Hornets yesterday - and off the bench with just 26 minutes. That brings up another good point, the Hornets are on the back-to-back, but Portland isn't doing the 💣Blowout Game 💣 against anybody as losers of 8 of the last 10.

🏀👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍🏀

Orlando's Nikola Vucevic ($8.3k) can get you a solid 43fp in 8 of the last 9 games which is a 5X ceiling for this price.

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🔥 SuperDraft Multiplier Must-Play

Today's SuperDraft multiplier must-play is Brandon Ingram. He has compiled some nice assists numbers to go along with points and rebounds the last 3. New Orleans is banged up (which helps Ingram) and against a very poor Detroit squad that has lost to the Cavs and Bulls in consecutive games.

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