Tastefully curated M-F by LineStar fantasy experts.

530 pm EST Update: Chris Paul is “unlikely” to play tonight. James Harden sees a usage increase to near 40%. Eric Gordon will slide into the starting lineup and also gets a usage increase. Gordon is in play on a thin slate tonight. Tyreke Evans is available to play and Kobi Simmons is also expected to play which means we’d be wise to just stay away from the Memphis backcourt. In the frontcourt, however, Marc Gasol has been ruled out. This makes Deyonta Davis, coming off his first career double-double and 32 fantasy points last night, a strong play again. His price dropped $300 on DK despite last night’s performance. For Sacramento, Zach Randolph will sit tonight with an illness. His absence makes Skal Labissiere an interesting play. Atlanta is giving up an average of 35 fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards. In Orlando, Jonathan Isaac and Jonathon Simmons are both out. I don’t love the matchup tonight as the 76ers are tough defensively but on a smaller slate like this, you might find some magic (see what I did there?) with someone like Mario Hezonja. Last, but certainly not least, Dwight Howard will serve his suspension tonight. Great way to follow up a career night. With Cody Zeller doubtful Frank Kaminsky and Willy Hernangomez should see plenty of minutes. Good luck in your contests tonight!

Guards

Dennis Schroder, ATL [@SAC] (DK: 6.5K, FD: 7.3K)

The Hawks currently list six players as out already for tonight’s game against the Kings. This should tighten up the rotation considerably. Schroder, even without the injuries, already averages over a fantasy point per minute. If we run the usage matrix he’ll see a whopping 12.9% usage bump with all these guys off the floor tonight. On top of that, he has a good matchup against the Kings who rank 25th in average fantasy points allowed to opposing starting point guards. Look for him to take advantage and put up a solid game tonight.

De’Aaron Fox, SAC [vs. ATL] (DK: 5.9K, FD: 5.7K)

Opposite Dennis Schroder, we have Fox who also finds himself in a great spot. Schroder is one of the worst individual defenders in the league and as a result, the Hawks rank 27th in average fantasy points allowed to opposing point guards. Four of the last five point guards to face the Hawks have scored at least 35 fantasy points. Fox has been very consistent lately scoring over 20 fantasy points in five of his last six games. He’s a good bet to pay off his salary tonight.

Malik Monk, CHA [vs. MEM] (DK: 3.6K, FD: 4.3K)

This one is a bit of a wildcard. Monk’s minutes have been inconsistent ranging from the low teens into the mid-twenties. Nicolas Batum remains out for tonight’s game, dealing with chronic tendinitis. This should leave Monk and Jeremy Lamb in a position to pick up the extra guard minutes. Most of the field will lean toward Lamb since he’s getting the start but I think Monk is the better, sneakier play tonight. With Batum off the court, it’s actually Monk, not Lamb, who sees a usage increase. It's a pace down game for Charlotte but they are still projected to score four points above their season average and have the fourth highest implied total tonight.

Note: James Harden is on the slate tonight and he's always in consideration whenever he plays. If Chris Paul is out then Harden sees his usage go over 40% and he becomes a must play. If Paul plays, Harden is still in play but slightly less interesting. He's expensive and has a tough draw against the Pistons. We left him off the recommendations to highlight some of the other value but just keep this in mind.

Forwards

Anthony Davis, NOP [@LAL] (DK: 11.7K, FD: 12.5K)

The Pelicans are in the middle of a brutal stretch in their schedule right now. Tonight will be their third game in as many nights. Davis suffered a lower leg injury two nights ago but played through it and also played the entire game last night. This is must win territory for New Orleans fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive but it wouldn’t shock me if they rested Davis tonight in a game they should be able to win without him. This will definitely be something we need to watch closely throughout the day. If Davis does play then fire him up. The Lakers are actually not a great matchup for power forwards, ranking 5th in fantasy points allowed per game, but Davis is matchup proof scoring 79 and 67 FanDuel points (77 and 65 DK points) in their last two meetings.

E’Twaun Moore, NOP [@LAL] (DK: 4.3K, FD: 4.5K)

Small forward is incredibly thin tonight especially on a site like FanDuel where you need to play two. It should be a great place to help you save some salary so you can fit Davis and possibly Harden into your lineups. Moore is in an excellent spot tonight as the Lakers rank 29th in fantasy points allowed to opposing small forwards over the last ten games. He’s also been very consistent averaging 32.7 minutes per game over the last week and scoring at least 22 fantasy points in six straight games. Tonight he faces the Lakers who he put up 29.25 fantasy points against the last time they played. The floor on Moore is very solid and I think you’ll see him push toward the ceiling in this matchup.

Frank Kaminsky, CHA [vs.MEM] (DK: 4.1K, FD: 4.2K)

It's likely that Dwight Howard will be suspended tonight, for dishing out his 16th technical foul last night. Cody Zeller hasn't played in 6 games, so who knows when he'll be back. It could be the Frank the Tank show tonight, assuming Howard doesn't get his technical rescinded, so keep an eye out for news updates. Guillermo Hernangómez is a viable options to soak up minutes as well.

Centers

Andre Drummond, DET [@HOU] (DK: 8.7K, FD: 9.9K)

The Rockets are 12.5 point favorites in this game as we wait for Chris Paul news, but that doesn’t impact Drummond tonight. The Rockets are ranked 24th in fantasy points allowed against opposing centers. Drummond’s price has dropped $700 on both sites. In the last week, the Rockets have given up 18 rebound performances to both Karl-Anthony Towns and DeAndre Jordan. This is premier double-double territory for Drummond with upside for more.

Mike Muscala, ATL [@SAC] (DK: 4.4K, FD: 4.5K)

Atlanta has a lot of value available tonight, especially in the frontcourt. Mike Muscala is another player that stands to benefit from increased minutes and should replace John Collins as the starter tonight. It’s a great matchup as the Kings are ranked 25th in average fantasy points per game allowed to opposing centers. Keep in mind when building your lineups Muscala can also be used as a forward on DraftKings.

Dwayne Dedmon, ATL [@SAC] (DK: 5.6K, FD: 5.8K)

Hawks value is in full force tonight with so many guys being ruled out. Just be cautious and don’t overload on players from a team that is still 2.5 point dogs to the Sacramento Kings. With that disclaimer in mind Dwayne Dedmon is coming off a 46 point fantasy point performance where he dropped 15 points and 15 rebounds in a very difficult matchup against Rudy Gobert. Tonight he finds himself in an easier spot against the Kings who he put up 55 fantasy points against the last time these teams met. Dedmon sees a 3.5% usage increase with all the players expected to be out tonight. He should be able to keep the momentum going.

Injuries 🤕

Memphis at Charlotte

Memphis:

• OUT: Mike Conley (PG)

• OUT: Tyreke Evans (PG/SG)

• UPGRADE: Mario Chalmers (PG)

Charlotte:

• OUT: Cody Zeller (C)

• OUT: Nicolas Batum (SG)

• OUT: Michael Carter-Williams (PG)

• UPGRADE: Dwight Howard (C), Malik Monk (PG/SG), Kemba Walker (PG)

Philadelphia at Orlando

Philadelphia:

• GTD: Timothe Luwawu (SG/SF)

• GTD: Furkan Korkmaz (SG)

• OUT: Markelle Fultz (PG)

Orlando:

• DOUBT: Jonathan Isaac (PF/C)

• DOUBT: Jonathon Simmons (SG/SF)

• OUT: Evan Fournier (SG/SF)

• OUT: Terrence Ross (SG/SF)

• UPGRADE: Nikola Vucevic (C), DJ Augustin (PG/SG), Mario Hezonja (SF)

LA Lakers at New Orleans

Lakers:

• OUT: Brandon Ingram (SF/SG)

• OUT: Josh Hart (SG)

• OUT: Channing Frye (PF)

• GTD: Brook Lopez (C)

• UPGRADE: Isaiah Thomas (PG/SG), Lonzo Ball (PG), Julius Randle (PF/C)

New Orleans:

• OUT: DeMarcus Cousins (PF/C)

• OUT: Alexis Ajinca

• OUT: Frank Jackson (PG/SG)

• UPGRADE: Anthony Davis (PF/C)

Detroit at Houston

Detroit:

• OUT: Jon Leuer (PF)

Houston:

• GTD: Chris Paul (PG)

• OUT: Brandan Wright (PF)

• UPGRADE: James Harden (PG/SG)

Utah at Dallas

Utah:

• DTD: Tony Bradley (PF/C)

• OUT: Raul Neto (PG)

• OUT: Thabo Sefolosha

• UPGRADE: Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG)

Dallas:

• DTD: Dennis Smith Jr (PG)

• DTD: Salah Mejri (C)

• OUT: Wesley Matthews (SG)

• OUT: Seth Curry (SG)

• UPGRADE: Yogi Ferrell (PG/SG), J.J Barea (PG/SG), Harrison Barnes (SF)

Atlanta at Sacramento

Atlanta:

• OUT: John Collins (PF/C)

• OUT: Jaylen Morris (SG)

• OUT: Kent Bazemore (SG/SF)

• OUT: Malcolm Delaney (PG/SG)

• UPGRADE: Dwayne Dedmon (PF/C), Mike Muscala (PF/C), Dennis Schroder (PG)

Sacramento:

• PROB: Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG/SF)

• QUEST: Zach Randolph (PF/C)

• OUT: Garrett Temple (SG/SF)

• OUT: Iman Shumpert (SG)

• UPGRADE: Buddy Hield (SG/SF), DeAaron Fox (PG)

It's a bit of an ugly slate with the game between the Hawks and the Kings providing the most value. Keep an eye on the news throughout the day and check back later for an update!

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