D’Angelo Russell is averaging 26.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists since returning from a 6-game absence.
Slate Overview
PHI at CLE: 76ers are on a five-game win streak.
MEM at MIA: Grizzlies have won three in a row.
SAC at CHI: Bulls have won two straight.
LAL at HOU: Lakers are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
BOS at MIN: Timberwolves are 20-16 at home.
DAL at SAS: Mavericks are on a three-game slide.
GSW at LAC: Clippers have won three in a row.
Guards
D’Angelo Russell, Lakers ($7,700) at Rockets
Russell continues to thrive on the Lakers, averaging 26.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks through three games since returning from a six-game absence. He has an opportunity to lead the offense in the absence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and he should excel against the Rockets, who give up the league’s most three-pointers and fourth-most points per game. The Rockets also give up the league’s most points per game to point guards.
Zach LaVine, Bulls ($8,600) vs. Kings
LaVine surpassed 45 DK points in four of the previous five outings, including a high of 55 in the last game. He faces a great chance to shine against the Kings, who give up the league’s third-most points per game and allow opponents to shoot an average of 49.6% from the field. The Kings also give up the league’s second-most points per game to shooting guards.
Forwards/Centers
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers ($9,000) vs. Warriors
Leonard finished with at least 49 DK points in each of the last three outings and is averaging 31.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals through seven games since the All-Star break. He finished with 38.3 DK points in the last meeting with the Warriors but has another chance to reach the higher end of his potential, as they give up the league’s second-most turnovers, sixth-most threes and sixth-most free throws per game.
Jayson Tatum, Celtics ($11,000) at Timberwolves
Tatum is averaging 29.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists through his last five appearances, including two with more than 65 DK points. He faces a great opportunity to keep rolling against the Timberwolves, who allow opponents to shoot 37.1% from long range and also give up the league’s most free throws per game.
Zach Collins, Spurs ($6,500) vs. Mavericks
Collins reached 40 DK points in back-to-back games, including a season-high of 49.5 in his last outing. He is averaging 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 blocks across five games and should keep up the strong play against the Mavs, who allow opposing centers to shoot a league-high 61.0% from the field.
Expected Chalk
Joel Embiid, 76ers ($11,400) at Cavaliers
Embiid continues to dominate on both ends of the floor, averaging 37.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 steals over five games, including two outings with more than 60 DK points. He has a tough matchup against the Cavs, but he managed 60.5 DK points in their last encounter. He also could be up for an easier matchup if Jarrett Allen (questionable) remains out.
Value Picks
Trey Lyles, Kings ($4,000) at Bulls
Lyles topped 20 DK points in six consecutive outings, including a high of 30, while averaging 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He averages 3.2 three-point attempts per game and should find a rhythm against the Bulls, who give up the league’s second-most threes per game.
Patrick Williams, Bulls ($3,900) vs. Kings
Williams recorded a high of 25.5 DK points while averaging 11.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks across five outings. He should have a chance to stand out offensively against the Kings, who give up the league’s second-highest field-goal percentage to opposing power forwards.
Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves ($4,900) vs. Celtics
McDaniels surpassed 20 DK points in six of eight games, while averaging 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocks since the All-Star break. He faces a tough matchup against the Celtics’ wings, but he is a key part of the Timberwolves’ defensive strategy and will continue to see significant playing time as a result.
Eric Gordon, Clippers ($4,600) vs. Warriors
Gordon notched a high of 32.8 DK points while averaging 14.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists over the last five games. He has a chance to step up in the absence of Norman Powell, and he should do well against the Warriors, who give up the league’s sixth-most points per game.
Alex Caruso, Bulls ($3,400) vs. Kings
Caruso is up for his fourth consecutive start and is averaging 6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals, with a high of 23 DK points through eight games since the All-Star break. He faces a tough matchup against the Kings’ backcourt but should find room to get his shot going from long range, as they allow opponents to shoot an average of 37.5% from deep.
Injuries to Monitor
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire’s NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report.
PHI – Jalen McDaniels (hip): Questionable
CLE – Donovan Mitchell (finger), Jarrett Allen (eye): Questionable
MEM – Steven Adams (knee), Ja Morant (personal): OUT
MIA – Kyle Lowry (knee): Questionable / Cody Zeller (nose): OUT
LAL – Mo Bamba (ankle), Anthony Davis (foot), LeBron James (foot): OUT
HOU – Alperen Sengun (groin): OUT
BOS – Robert Williams (hamstring): OUT
MIN – Jaylen Nowell (knee), Rudy Gobert (ankle), Naz Reid (calf), Austin Rivers (back): Questionable / Karl-Anthony Towns (calf): OUT
DAL – Tim Hardaway (calf), Kyrie Irving (foot), Christian Wood (foot): Questionable / Luka Doncic (thigh): OUT
SAS – Malaki Branham (shoulder), Keldon Johnson (foot), Tre Jones (illness), Romeo Langford (thigh) / Charles Bassey (knee): OUT
GSW – Jonathan Kuminga (ankle): Probable / Andre Iguodala (wrist), Andrew Wiggins (personal): OUT
LAC – Norman Powell (shoulder): OUT
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Dan has been writing all things NBA for RotoWire since 2014. He is an active fantasy sports player, with a love for DFS. Dan is a certified Coach with the Ontario Basketball Association and is a recreation professional in his home city.
