We might want to just call this intro section of the LineStar Daily Dribble the "who's out now" portion of the daily slate. Unfortunately, positive COVID tests continue to be the talk of all the sports leagues' until they start relaxing testing requirements a bit or everybody just gets it, survives, and moves on - and we never have to hear the words "health and safety protocols" ever again.

The latest players who have been told they are sick according to tests include Al Horford, Robert Williams, Terrence Ross, Moe Wagner, R.J. Hampton, Jordan Poole, and probably more by tip-off.

Let's wade through the murky waters of tonight's 8-game slate together shall we?

By the way, it's also a great time to get comfortable with the LineStar Usage Matrix feature in our app. It's a game-changer with all of these teams missing players right now.

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Heat (-7) @ Magic, O/U 204.5 7:00 ET

The Heat are shorthanded but Orlando is almost invisible. Tread lightly with this game because the Magic are dangerously close to not having enough players available to take the court tonight with 9 players on the injury report - and most for actual ailments and not positive tests.

Nuggets (-3.5) @ Hawks, O/U 226 7:30 ET

The high betting total sticks out in this one as only Charlotte @ Portland has a higher number tonight. Does that put Nikola Jokic ($12k) into a 🔒 spot for his sixth straight perfect lineup appearance?

Warriors (-3) @ Celtics, O/U 216 7:30 ET

Letdown game for Golden State? Steph Curry ($11.3k) finally broke Ray Allen's all-time 3-point record at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday and now faces Shuttlesworth's old team Boston, who has been off since Monday. The C's are going to be a little thin on the interior though with Al Horford and Robert Williams heading into health and safety.

Bucks (-2) @ Pelicans, O/U 218.5 8:00 ET

Even though Khris Middleton (knee) is likely back in the lineup tonight, this feels like another Jrue Holiday right before the holidays kind of play. The Bucks PG not only went for 26/4/14 (55fp) on Wednesday with Giannis Antetokounmpo (protocols) out of the lineup, he's playing in his old stomping grounds the Big Easy. tonight.

Hornets @ Trail Blazers (-2.5), O/U 230.5 10:00 ET

Charlotte's #3 pace in the league was on display Wednesday in a 131-115 win over the Spurs even without LaMelo Ball, who is expected to be cleared of COVID protocols tonight. That makes this game a huge target in a matchup of two of the bottom 5 teams in opponent points allowed.

Lakers @ Timberwolves (-2.5), O/U 225.5 10:00 ET

Russ Westbrook and Dwight Howard are headed to the health and safety protocols which puts the ball in Lebron James' ($10.4k) hand even more, tonight in a matchup of two top 5 pace teams 👀.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Steph Curry DK $11.3k FD $9.9k @ Boston

• There's something relieving about finally having the all-time 3-point record and not having to worry about it anymore

• Great history vs. Boston actually, posting 47/7/3 and 38/11/8 in two games last season

• No Jordan Poole (protocols) for +3.62% usage and +5.12 fp

Brandon Ingram DK $8.7k | FD $8.8k vs. Milwaukee

• Gotta lock this guy in any time under $9k, has hit 50+ in four of the last six

• 19+ shots in five of the last six

• His team now with Zion Williamson out another 4-6 weeks after foot injection

• Bucks are very thin in the front court tonight

Desmond Bane DK $6.4k | FD $6.4k @Sacramento

• Matchup play as Kings allow 32+ fp to SG starters

• Sacramento may be pulling up G-League players in this game

• 13+ shots in four of last six

Anfernee Simons DK $5.2k | FD $5.8k vs. Charlotte

• Matchup play vs. Hornets worst defense in the league

• 13+ shots in all three games since returning from injury

• 30+ minutes off the bench last three, +30% in up pace games (Hornets #3 pace)

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Lebron James DK $10.4k | FD $11k @ Minnesota

• Price drop from $11.1k Wednesday 👀

• 60+ fp in three of the last four

• Matchup of two top 5 pace teams in the NBA

• +11.17% usage, +26.66 fp in short sample size without Westbrook, Howard, and Horton-Tucker.

Norman Powell DK $6.3k | FD $6.3k vs. Charlotte

• Matchup play with the Hornets having the worst defense in the NBA as well as the #3 pace

• McCollum (lung) still out for Portland, Powell averaging 24 real points last two starting at SG

• Hornets have allowed 36+ fp to three of the last four starting SGs

Josh Hart DK $5.5k | FD $5.9k vs. Milwaukee

• Minutes are there (32+ in four straight)

• + nearly 30% in up pace games

• Milwaukee is very thin all around

Bojan Bogdanovic DK $5k | FD $4.8k vs. San Antonio

• Hit 6 of 7 three pointers on Wednesday

• Spurs have allowed 30+ to five straight starting SFs

• 30fp floor in three games vs. San Antonio last season

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Nikola Jokic DK $12k | FD $11.6k @ Atlanta

• Two schools of thought - jump off after five straight PLs or never jump off ever again

• The betting total is there (226) and Jokic has 32.8% usage in December

• Atlanta gave up 15 rebounds to Wendell Carter, Jr. on Wednesday,

• Jokic has 62 fp floor in last five games

Jonas Valanciunas DK $8.2k | FD $7.8k vs. Milwaukee

• Could be a 20+ rebound night with the Bucks missing Antetokounmpo and Portis among many others

• Had 16 boards vs. OKC on Wednesday

• Should go well over 41 projection for at least a 6X night with two teams in top 12 in tempo

_______________________________

You can follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.

🚨 Bonus: Get 3 Free Months of LineStar Premium

Stuck in DFS?

Try something new for a change, MKF is pretty legit and a lot of fun.

If you're looking to try something new to switch it up, we'd appreciate you supporting us by going through the link below and using Promo code: LINESTAR

Get 3-months of LineStar Premium for new users to Monkey Knife Fight who deposit/play $10!

Terms: Partnership offers do NOT renew. See Monkey Knife Fight landing page for full terms and conditions. Must be a new user to MKF and deposit and play a minimum of $10 to qualify. If you have an existing LineStar Premium subscription you get a Hat/Tee/Pen combo instead of the 3-months.