This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
Sunday's nine-game slate excludes the lone early game (Mavs-Clippers) but features plenty of appealing matchups.
The highest total on the slate is a tie between a pair of Eastern Conference games. One belongs to the Wizards-Magic matchup (230.0) between two teams that also squared off Saturday night. Orlando prevailed 130-120 on Saturday, with both teams contributing to smash the over.
Meanwhile, the Nets-Hornets matchup also features a 230.0 total, with the Nets checking in as heavy favorites (-10.5) after a pair of impressive blowout wins to begin the year. Brooklyn's implied total (120.25) is the highest on the slate -- slightly ahead of the Lakers' (119.0), who will be without Anthony Davis.
Injuries to Monitor
LA Lakers: Anthony Davis will not play; LeBron James is expected to play
Washington: Russell Westbrook is out (rest); Rui Hachimura remains out
Phoenix Suns: Dario Saric, Abdel Nader will not play
New York: Austin Rivers will not play; Kevin Knox is probable; Dennis Smith is questionable; Obi Toppin will not play
Minnesota: Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to play
Charlotte: Cody Zeller will not play
Cleveland: Kevin Love is questionable; Isaac Okoro is out; Kevin Porter, Matthew Dellavedova and Dylan Windler will not play
San Antonio: Derrick White remains out
Golden State: Draymond Green is questionable
Chicago: Thaddeus Young is doubtful
Boston: Kemba Walker remains out
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Elite Players ($9,000+)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL ($10,500) vs. NYK: He's the highest-priced player on the slate for a reason, but the two-time MVP is coming off of a relatively disappointing fantasy performance (37.75 FP) on Christmas Day. Antetokounmpo is typically good for a much higher total, but considering the opponent, there is some major blowout potential. Given the possibility that he plays fewer than 30 minutes, expect Antetokounmpo to be approached with some degree of caution.
LeBron James, LAL ($10,000) vs. MIN: With no Anthony Davis (calf), James becomes the clear focal point of the Lakers' offense. After a shaky performance against the Clippers on Opening Night, he looked much more locked in as the Lakers dismantled the Mavericks on Christmas Day. In that game, James tallied 22 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and one steal. One stat to keep an eye on are his 16 three-point attempts through two games.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN ($9600) vs. LAL: Towns is battling a minor wrist injury, but all indications are that he'll be in the lineup Sunday night. Towns was fantastic to start against Detroit -- 22-11-7 with two blocks -- and he produced 46.5 fantasy points in a much more difficult matchup against Utah on Saturday night. The Lakers aren't the most appealing opponent, but Towns should benefit greatly from Davis's absence.
Stephen Curry, GSW ($9300) vs. CHI: What a treat this game will be. Through the first few days of the season, the Warriors and Bulls have been perhaps the two most disappointing teams in the league. Curry did his part to keep Golden State afloat in two extremely difficult matchups (Nets and Bucks), but the Warriors fell behind early in both contests and were blown out in embarrassing fashion. The Bulls are a vastly more appealing opponent, so expect Curry to finally see extended minutes after garbage time limited him to just 29 and 30 minutes against Milwaukee and Brooklyn, respectively.
Value Picks
Donte DiVincenzo, MIL ($5200) vs. NYK: The Bucks are relying on the third-year guard to step up this season, and thus far he's done just that. A noticeably more aggressive DiVincenzo went for 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in the opener and followed up with 13 points, four boards and two steals on Christmas Day.
Cedi Osman, CLE ($4800) vs. PHI: With the emergence of Isaac Okoro, Osman began the season as the odd man out of the starting lineup but still managed a respectable showing (11pts, 4reb, 2ast) in just 18 minutes off the bench in the season-opener. On Saturday, Osman popped for 22 points, four rebounds and a steal in 26 minutes. With Okoro sitting out Sunday, Osman should move into the starting lineup and will be set for a sizable increase in minutes.
Alec Burks, NYK ($5400) vs. MIL: Despite coming off the bench for both games thus far, Burks has been the Knicks' most consistent scorer. He posted 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in the opener and produced a nearly identical line Saturday against Philly. More importantly, Burks played 31 and 32 minutes during those two contests.
Terrence Ross, ORL ($4700) vs. WAS: Ross' production is almost entirely scoring-depending, but that hasn't been an issue to begin the year. After a 19-point performance against the Heat, Ross posted 25 Saturday on the first night of the back-to-back. Don't expect the Wizards' defense to make any tangible improvement over the course of 24 hours.
