We've got another one of those late CST contests tonight when the Knicks visit the Bucks at 10:00 PM tip-off in Milwaukee. That's part of an 11-game slate headlined by some possible major absences for the Lakers, DeMar DeRozan's return to San Antonio, and Phoenix looking for their 9th win in a row. Let's get to it:

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Celtics @ Hawks (-1.5), O/U 218 7:30 ET

Atlanta goes for their sixth straight win tonight, going for 110+ points in each of their five wins. Boston has had the last two nights off, and really even longer than that considering their last win was a 128-75 rout of Sacramento.

Lakers @ Hornets (-6.5), O/U 228.5 7:30 ET

Lebron James was a somewhat late scratch in last night's 105-87 loss in Philadelphia and is considered questionable tonight. Anthony Davis also played 33 minutes last night so who knows what his status will be on the back to back.

Nuggets (-4) @ Pelicans, O/U 218 8:00 ET

New Orleans played without four starters in Tuesday's 10-point loss to the Sixers but should at the very least have Devonte Graham and Jonas Valanciunas back in the lineup. It will be interesting to see the Nikola Jokic ownership tonight after he shot just 13 times vs. Brooklyn on Wednesday - although still finishing with 54fp.

Trail Blazers (-3) @ Rockets, O/U 233.5 8:00 ET

Portland's defense didn't fare too well on the back to back on Wednesday, falling 132-112 to Dallas. The Trail Blazers had held six prior opponents to 110 or less, but oddsmakers are still expecting a lot of points here as this game has the highest over/under of the slate.

Jazz @ Grizzlies (-4), O/U 227.5 8:00 ET

Ja Morant is on one right now with 60+ fp in three of the last four. He has made the perfect lineup in six of his last nine vs. Utah, who continue to be without Rudy Gobert (calf) and Donovan Mitchell (concussion).

Bulls @ Spurs (-1) O/U 231.5 8:30 ET

DeMar DeRozan is back in San Antonio after spending the last three seasons with the Spurs. The Spurs have lost 7 of their last 10 but are surprisingly a -1 point favorite in this matchup.

Timberwolves @ Suns (-8.5), O/U 230 9:00 ET

Phoenix aims for their 9th straight win tonight and against a Minnesota team that is playing on the back to back following their 124-115 loss at Golden State last night. Karl-Anthony Towns had a solid 61fp, but also played 36 minutes while Anthony Edwards played 37.

Knicks @ Bucks (-8.5), O/U 216.5 10:00 ET

The Bucks try to bounce back from a 115-99 loss to the Cavs on Wednesday, up against a Knicks team that has basically an unplayable (for DFS purposes) Julius Randle. Randle is still priced at $9.2k even after being held under 20 points in three of the last four.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Ja Morant DK $10.3k | FD $10.4k vs. Utah

• Has 33+ real points in four straight games

• Averaging 8.5 assists last four

• Made perfect lineup in 6 of last 9 vs. Jazz

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander DK $9.3k | FD $10.2k vs. Indiana

• Matchup play with the Pacers giving up 42+ fp to four straight PGs

• 29+ real points in four of the last five

• Pacers gave up 158 points last game

Mike Conley DK $7.1k | FD $5.8k @Memphis

• Back in his old stomping grounds in Memphis

• Had 49fp in 4 of 7 games vs. Grizzlies last season

• Scored 19 points and had 8 assists vs. Memphis in November (38fp)

• Grizzlies have allowed 50+ fp to the last two PGs

Monte Morris DK $4.4k | FD $4.9k @ New Orleans

• Matchup play with Pelicans allowing 38+fp to three of past five PGs

• Has shot 13+ times in four of the last six

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Jayson Tatum DK $10.1k | FD $9.7k @ Atlanta

• 51fp floor in four of last five games against Atlanta

• Hawks rank 30th vs the SF position over the last 20 games

• Averaging 38 ppg / 8rpg /6.7 apg over last three overall

DeMar DeRozan DK $8.5k | FD $9k @ San Antonio

• Return trip to San Antonio where he played three seasons

• 29+ real points in four straight games, 18+ shots in six straight

• Spurs have allowed 43+ fp to two of the last three SFs

Keldon Johnson DK $5.1k | FD $5.8k vs. Bulls

• Took 16 shots in Wednesday's loss to Memphis

• Chicago giving up 37fppg to opposing PFs over last 20 games

• Bulls have allowed 32+fp to five straight PFs

Carmelo Anthony DK $4.4k | FD $5.2k @ Charlotte

• Owes us after 14fp last night even without Lebron James

• James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis are all questionable on the back to back (+7% usage)

• Has 35fp floor in last four vs. Charlotte

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Jusuf Nurkic DK $8k | FD $8.3k @Houston

• Rockets allowing 40fppg to opposing C's over the past 20 games

• Nurkic has 14+ rebounds in five of the past seven

• Houston the #20 rebounding team in the NBA

Bobby Portis DK $6.5k | FD $6.3k vs. New York

• Old team narrative up against the Knicks

• Had 19 points and 10 rebounds vs New York in December

• Double digit rebounds in 8 of the last 10

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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.

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