We are steamrolling right towards Thursday's trade deadline, and although there's been some big names like Caris LeVert and Norman Powell switching teams the past few days, it feels like the CJ McCollum to New Orleans trade today feels like the first big shoe to drop over the next couple days.

Could we see Ben Simmons, James Harden, Marcus Smart, etc. moving this week? Are teams going to start benching players that may be trade bait so they avoid injury? Only the next couple days can answer that.

We do have a 10-game slate tonight with both the Pelicans and Trail Blazers as part of the action possibly playing a bit shorthanded until their trade processes. The Suns are on the back to back at Philly, the Nets are shorthanded at home against the Celtics, and the Bucks visit the Lakers to highlight this unusually large Tuesday card. Let's get to it:

UPDATE: Even before publishing a huge Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento deal was also announced.

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Celtics (-8.5) @ Nets, O/U 230 7:30 ET

The Nets are back home after a 5-game road trip, which means no Kyrie Irving back in New York. James Harden (hamstring) is also out for what could be his last game as a member of the Nets ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. Boston has won 7 of 8, Brooklyn has lost 8 in a row.

Rockets @ Pelicans (-9), O/U 225 8:00 ET

This is a rematch of Sunday's 120-107 Pelicans win but New Orleans looks a lot different tonight after sending Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, and Nickeil Walker-Alexander to Portland.

Knicks @ Nuggets (-8.5), O/U 219.5 9:00 ET

Another likely trade candidate is the Knicks' Julius Randle, whose most recent dustup was with the New York video coordinator. A changeup of chemistry wouldn't hurt with the Knicks dropping 8 of their last 10.

Bucks (-3.5) @ Lakers , O/U 232.5 10:00 ET

Lebron James made a somewhat surprising return to the court on Saturday after missing five games with knee soreness and dropped a 66fp triple double. Julius Randle just put up 60+ fp vs. the Lakers at the PF spot, so it's looking like a Giannis night too.

Magic (-1.5) @ Trail Blazers, O/U 220 10:00 ET

This is Anfernee Simons' team for the time being now as Portland has traded CJ McCollum. The Trail Blazers are now officially in a rebuild, and are already +1.5 home underdogs tonight against a Magic team that has lost their last two games by a combined 53 points.

Timberwolves (-5) @ Kings, O/U 234 10:00 ET

Sacramento made a somewhat unexpected splash by acquiring Domantas Sabonis from Indiana, parting ways with talented youngster Tyrese Haliburton in addition to Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson. That puts the Kings a bit shorthanded tonight against a T'Wolves squad that has won four in a row.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Ja Morant DK $10.1k | FD $10.1k vs. Clippers

• PGs vs. the Clippers is a target, they've allowed three 50+ fp games in the last five

• Has a 28 point / 8 assist game vs. LAC as well as 28/5 in two contests vs. Clippers this season

• Morant has taken 20+ shots in 9 straight games, 32.4% usage rate is 6th in the NBA

Chris Paul DK $9.5k | FD $9.5k @ Philadelphia

• Being on the back to back should drive ownership down

• Sixers have given up 48+ fp to four of past five PGs

• Has a point/assist double-double in 9 of the last 11

Davion Mitchell DK $5.4k | FD $5.7k vs. Minnesota

• Have to see the usage boost with Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield traded to Indiana, Fox questionable as well

• Has taken 15+ shots in 6 of the last 7

• Highest betting total of the night, Kings get 2nd best pace boost behind New Orleans

Marcus Smart DK $5.1k | FD $5.6k @ Brooklyn

• Has a 38fp floor in 4 of the last 5 vs. the Nets

• Brooklyn down to Patty Mills and Deandre Bembry in their starting back court

• Last showcase game before trade deadline (Minnesota and Atlanta supposedly interested)

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Lebron James DK $10.5k | FD $10.5k vs Milwaukee

• Looked pretty healthy with 29/13/10 in his return on Saturday, shooting 13-24 from the floor

• Has a 57fp floor last three vs. Milwaukee dating back to 2019

• Have to like the MVP vs. MVP narrative

Brandon Ingram DK $9.2k | FD $7.8k vs. Houston

• Still good FD pricing considering he had 33 points and 12 assists vs. Houston on Sunday and 40/5/4 back in early December

• Also had 12 assists Friday at Denver

• Pelicans down Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker after today's trade

Harrison Barnes DK $6.7k | FD $6.6k vs. Minnesota

• Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton are traded, De'Aaron Fox has missed the last four with an ankle injury

• +8.25 fp boost even if Fox plays

• Just took 17 shots on Saturday for second straight 24+ real point outing

• Highest betting total of the night (234).

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Jusuf Nurkic DK $8.5k | FD $7.7k vs. Orlando

• You pay to see it after he had 21 points and 22 rebounds in Orlando last month

• +11% usage in the 38 minutes he's played without CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, and Robert Covington this season

Clint Capela DK $5.5k | FD $6.1k vs Indiana

• His production has been horrible lately but upside potential against a Pacers tea possibly down to 3rd and 4th stringers in the frontcourt

• Capela did have a 24 rebound game vs. Indiana last season

• Jarrett Allen and Nikola Vucevic have grabbed 17 rebounds vs. Pacers last two

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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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