It's a jam packed 11-game NBA slate tonight headlined by the return of Kyrie Irving. That's a tricky situation because Irving can only play select road games, so you really have to pay attention to the Nets' schedule as to when Kevin Durant and James Harden have value or not. That probably won't be tonight, with Brooklyn at Indiana and Irving possibly getting 30+ minutes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is out with an illness, but we've got star power in Jokic, Embiid, Curry, Doncic, and a red hot Trae Young to decide on in spend up options so look for a lot of lineup variations on this slate.

On to it!

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Pistons @ Hornets (-10) , O/U 228.5 7:00 ET

Charlotte's defense is back to being a target against after giving up 133 and 124 points the last two games. That even counts for the Pistons who score the 2nd fewest points in the league (101.1) but are averaging 116 in their rare two game current win streak.

Rockets @ Wizards (-7.5), O/U 229 7:00 ET

Houston is turning into a target against team after giving up 120+ in 7 games during their current 8 game losing streak. This may be just the start of a much longer losing streak as Houston is in total disarray with Kevin Porter and Christian Wood being suspended for poor behavior in Monday's 133-113 loss to Philly.

Nets (-8) @ Pacers, O/U 225 7:30 ET

It's the big Kyrie Irving return game with the Pacers also playing on the back to back following a 104-94 loss at Madison Square Garden last night. Don't be shocked if ownership drops on Kevin Durant and James Harden until we see just how the usage plays out with Kyrie back.

Warriors (-5.5) @ Mavericks, O/U 215 7:30 ET

This was projected as a return game for Klay Thompson, but it's looking like that is more likely going to come at home most likely January 9th against Cleveland or maybe even January 18th vs. the Pistons as Golden State plays six of their next seven on the road. That gives a few more contests of upside games for Steph Curry, but he's also been held to under 35fp in two of the last three.

Raptors @ Bucks (-7.5) , O/U 226.5 8:00 ET

The Raptors have looked really good in their current three game win streak, beating the Clippers, Knicks, and Spurs all by at least a dozen points. Those were in Toronto though, and now the Raptors are on the back to back after a 25-point win over San Antonio last night.

Jazz (-3.5) @ Nuggets, O/U 223 10:00 ET

Nikola Jokic had just 42fp in his first matchup with Rudy Gobert these season, but that was also in just 15 minutes after he left the game earlier with a knee injury. That's some big time potential extrapolated out.

Hawks @ Kings (-1), O/U 230.5 10:00 ET

Sacramento let a late lead slip away against the Lakers last night and now play on 0 days rest making the Hawks a target tonight. Atlanta has also allowed 130+ in three of their last four so this one could see some points scored.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Trae Young DK $10.7k FD $10.5k @ Sacramento

• We know he's launching with all the absences Atlanta has right now (27 fga average last two games)

• Price drop even after 85fp on Monday

• Kings on the back to back, have allowed 39+ fp to four of the last five PGs

• Russell Westbrook didn't have a single turnover vs. Sacramento defense last night - a rarity

Fred VanVleet DK $9.5k | FD $9.9k @ Milwaukee

• Has hit 6X in three straight and those have all been in 12+ point Toronto wins

• 23+ shots in two of the last three

• Bucks have dominated opposing PGs last four games, keeping ownership low

Kyle Lowry DK $7.6k | FD $7.4k @ Portland

• Miami has 11 players on the injury report tonight including Jimmy Butler

• Portland just gave up the 85fp game to Trae Young and allowed 55 to Russ Westbrook at the PG spot the game before that

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Saddiq Bey DK $8.3k | FD $8k @Charlotte

• Has hit 6X in four of the last five games

• 19+ shots in three straight

• Hornets have worst defense in the league (116.7 ppg) and just gave up a 60 burger 🍔on Monday to Kyle Kuzma at the PF spot (36 points, 14 rebounds)

Kyle Kuzma DK $7.7k | FD $7.8k vs. Houston

• Will be 'heat-checking' after shooting 13/26 against the Hornets on Monday

• Double digit rebounds in three straight

• 40+ minutes last two games

• Rockets allow 2nd most points in the NBA (115.7)

Buddy Hield DK $5.4k | FD $5.6k vs Atlanta

• Has posted back to back 40+ fp games

• 18 shots and 33 minutes in two straight

• Atlanta has allowed 130+ points in three of their last four games

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Nikola Jokic DK $12k | FD $11.4k vs. Utah

• Mr. Obvious play but it needs to be said - get him in the lineup tonight

• 2.8 fppm vs. the Jazz on October 26th before leaving with a knee injury

• Was in perfect lineup all three games vs. Utah last season including two 70-burgers

Daniel Gafford DK $6.4k | FD $6.6k vs Houston

• Has a 33fp floor over his last four games

• Matchup spot with Houston allowing 38+ fp to five straight starting C's

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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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