It's no secret who the top center target is going to be on tonight's 9-game NBA slate. Nikola Jokic ($12k) has three 30+ point double-doubles in his last five games, and posted a triple double in the other two. and has a 68.5 fp average over his last four.

The recent dominance of Joker and the fact he has a favorable matchup with Washington could let Joel Embiid ($11k) slip under the radar a bit tonight. Steph Curry ($11.4k) and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11.6k) helps Embiid slip a bit too but he's playing a Grizzlies team missing a few players in their front court and the Sixers big man could be eyeing a 70-burger of his own.

Let's see how the rest of the slate breaks down:

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Heat @ Cavs (-5), O/U 208 7:00 ET

Injuries to Miami and some improved play by the Cavs lately has Cleveland favored by 5 points in this matchup. Jimmy Butler (tailbone) and Bam Adebayo (thumb) continue to be among the walking wounded for the Heat which gives Cleveland a great chance for their 8th win in the last 10 games.

Rockets @ Hawks (-10), O/U 226.5 7:30 ET

Oddsmakers are giving Houston no love after their recent 7-game win streak has come to an end with back to back losses. Those defeats came against the Bucks and then the Grizzlies on 0 days rest so this probably won't be the blowout game the spread would suggest.

Bucks (-1) @ Celtics O/U 221 7:30 ET

Jaylen Brown is expected back for Boston and already has a lofty $9.1k price tag so the value there is questionable. Jayson Tatum ($9.4k) has been in the perfect lineup 4 of 6 games in December but his usage is likely to take a dip now.

76ers (-3.5) @ Grizzlies, O/U 210 8:00 ET

Memphis has allowed a ceiling of 37 fp to opposing starting C's over the last five games but they'll be without Steven Adams (ankle), Brandon Clarke (knee), and possibly even Jaren Jackson (knee) on the interior tonight.

Hornets @ Mavericks (-2.5), O/U 216.5 8:30 ET

Charlotte has allowed 120+ points in six of their last seven so the Mavs are a target tonight - but who, with Luka Doncic back on the sidelines with his ankle injury? Tim Hardaway (+5.44%) and Jalen Brunson (+3.89%) get the biggest usage bumps with Doncic out.

Suns (-3) @ Clippers, O/U 211.5 10:30 ET

Deandre Ayton (non-COVID illness) missed Friday's win over Boston and JaVale McGee stepped in to grab 21 points and grab 15 rebounds (49fp). Hard to run that back with Ayton up to questionable, but worth a $4k punt considering Ayton's status probably won't be updated until after lock with the 10:30 start. Paul George (elbow) is also out for the Clippers.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Steph Curry DK $11.4k FD $10.3k @Indiana

• Curry is six three pointers shy of Ray Allen's record

• Ownership should be lower, as he's got a 37fp ceiling the last two games

• Has shot 9-31 from beyond the arc last two, not a great percentage but love the amount of shots

Jrue Holiday DK $7.7k | FD $7.7k @Boston

• Matchup play, Boston has allowed 38+ fp to four of the past five starting SGs

• Ownership drop after two sub-30 fp games / had 42+ fp in 4 of 6 prior

• Had 17/6/13 vs. Boston in first matchup, although without Antetokounmpo and in OT (51fp)

Desmond Bane DK $6.6k | FD $6.5k vs. Philadelphia

• Not a bad price for a guy who has taken 15+ shots in 6 of the last 7

• Negative pace differential (+24%)

Gary Trent DK $6k | FD $6k vs. Sacramento

• Has taken 16+ shots in three of the last four games

• Kings have allowed 40+ fp to two of last four SGs

• Sacramento has allowed 120+ in 5 of last 8

Armoni Brooks DK $4.8k | FD $4.9k at Atlanta

• Has hit 6X in three straight, 4 of the last 6

• Still a lot of injuries for Houston

• Played on Hawks G-League team before being waived

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Kelly Oubre, Jr. DK $8.4k | FD $7.6k @Dallas

• Terry Rozier back, but Charlotte still has six players questionable or out

• Has logged 39+ minutes and launched 17+ shots in four straight games

• Plays a Dallas team on the second leg of the back to back

John Collins DK $7.2k | FD $7.6k vs. Houston

• Well-rested with last two nights off

• Matchup play as Rockets have allowed 38+fp to four of past five PF starters

• 12+ shots last three games.

• The game should be closer than -10 point spread indicates

Evan Mobley DK $7.1k | FD $7.5k vs Miami

• Roller coaster trend is pushing towards a down game tonight

• Still a solid play coming off a 15 rebound game vs. Kings, Heat struggling rebounding without Bam Adebayo (Bobby Portis and Steven Adams both grabbed 16)

• Mobley had 17/11/4 (48fp) in his only other matchup with Miami

Caris LeVert DK $6.5k | FD $6k vs. Golden State

• Pacers were going to blow things up via trades, but now have won three in a row

• LeVert has taken 18, 12, and 23 shots during three game win streak

• Has been off since Friday, playing 6th straight game at home

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Joel Embiid DK $11k | FD $10.5k @Memphis

• Everybody on Nikola Jokic tonight with good reason as he has hit 70 in two of the last three and plays Washington

• Embiid is a nice pivot, as Memphis is very thin up front tonight

• Perfect lineup in four of the last six

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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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