It's a 7-game slate tonight in the NBA where the headlines continue to be players out of the lineup. The latest additions to the injury / protocols absences are Donovan Mitchell who could be out two weeks with a lower back strain, while Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, D'Angelo Russell, and Dejounte Murray have been added to health and safety protocols over the weekend.

Paul George missed Sunday's game with an elbow injury and could be out for about a month. Once again, let's see whose best ability is their availability as the last week of the 2021 NBA calendar year gets underway.

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Rockets @ Hornets (-7) , O/U 235 7:00 ET

The Hornets have shown a little defensive improvement the last two games with a 112-102 loss to the Jazz and a 115-107 win over the Nuggets both on the road. Charlotte had allowed 120+ in 4 of 5 games prior so Houston is still a target here.

Bulls (-5.5) @ Hawks, O/U 210 7:30 ET

Chicago plays on the back to back after a 113-105 win over the Pacers last night powered by 49fp from Zach LaVine in his return from protocols. The Bulls are still road favorites due to so many absences on the Hawks.

Celtics (-5.5) @ Timberwolves, O/U 214.5 8:00 ET

Boston might be angry tonight after blowing a 19-point lead in a 117-113 loss in Milwaukee on Christmas Day. There's a lot of usage opening up for the C's with the news of Jayson Tatum going into health and safety protocols.

Grizzlies @ Suns (-8), O/U 220.5 9:00 ET

Phoenix suffered another loss to Golden State, 116-107 on Christmas Day. They get a Memphis team on the back to back, but one that breezed to a 127-103 win in Sacramento on Sunday.

Mavs @ Trail Blazers (PK), O/U 212.5 10:00 ET

To their credit, Dallas played well in a 4-point loss in Utah on Christmas night even without Luka Doncic. Portland is well rested after not playing since December 21st, but they also have 9 players on the injury report including Damian Lillard with what is being referred to as personal reasons.

Nets (-4) @ Clippers, O/U 213.5 10:30 ET

Brooklyn is the winningest team of all time at Crypto.com Arena after a 122-115 win over the Lakers on Christmas. The Nets will try to make it 2-0 at the former Staples Center against the Paul George - less Clippers tonight.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

James Harden DK $11.2k FD $11k @ Clippers

• Loves playing in the spotlight of Los Angeles went for 76fp vs. Lakers on Christmas Day

• Took 25 shots on Saturday, +6.72% usage without Kevin Durant

• Clippers shorthanded and on back to back

Jalen Brunson DK $7.7k | FD $7.6k @ Portland

• Took 25 shots vs. Jazz on Christmas

• +5.28% usage, +7.69fp without Luka Doncic and Tim Hardaway, Jr.

• Portland shorthanded, and 20th defensively vs. PGs

Jordan Clarkson DK $5.3k | FD $5.2k @Spurs

• +4.05% usage with Mitchell out of the lineup

• 37fp last game with 30+ minutes (November 29th)

• 34fp floor last three games against Spurs

• Spurs playing on back to back

Bogdan Bogdanovic DK $5k | FD $5.8k vs. Chicago

• Starting at PG second straight game

• Bulls on back to back

• Chicago has allowed 40+ fp to 4 of last 5 PGs

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Jaylen Brown DK $9.3k | FD $8 @ Minnesota

• $8k on Fanduel is a steal

• +7.35% usage, +19.73 fp when Jayson Tatum sits out

• Shorthanded T'Wolves gave up 128 points on Thursday

Norman Powell DK $6.6k | FD $6.1k vs. Dallas

• Two 40+ minute games last three

• +6.9% usage with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum out

• Starting at SG, Dallas allowed 33 real points to SG Donovan Mitchell on Saturday

Bojan Bogdanovic DK $5.4k | FD $5.6k @ San Antonio

• Playing first game without Donovan Mitchell (+5.77% usage, +13.41 fp)

• Spurs playing on the back to back

• San Antonio allowing 31.4 fppg to SF starters past 20 games

Jaden McDaniels DK $5.1k | FD $5.4k vs. Boston

• 39 and 37 minutes last two games with all Minnesota's absences

• Two straight perfect lineups

• Celtics very shorthanded in front court,

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Christian Wood DK $8.2k | FD $7.9k @Charlotte

• Bigs vs. Hornets play

• Charlotte has allowed three straight 15+ rebound games to starting centers

• Had 33/16 vs. Hornets at end of November, although it was an OT game

Robert Williams DK $6.4k | FD $6.1k @ Minnesota

• Boston missing Tatum, but also Enes Freedom (illness) and Grant Williams (illness) in their own front court

• Timberwolves without Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid in their front court

• Minnesota gave up 20 points and 17 rebounds to C Rudy Gobert in their last game (Thursday)

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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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