This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
With the sports world revolving around the Super Bowl today, the NBA still has three games on the docket, but all of those games will be complete by the time the Pats and the Rams take the field. As a result, this article will be a bit shorter than usual.
The three games won't dazzle you – the MEM/MYK should be the biggest clunker of the three, but the OKC/BOS sports a 226 O/U and a place where we'll be encouraged to spend up. The TOR/LAC has the highest O/U but also the most significant chance of a blowout win for the Raptors.
GUARDS
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. OKC ($9,300): I think Irving will yield a similar total to Westbrook tonight, so I see no need to spend $1,500 more for him. Irving averages about five more DKFP per game at home, and he should fare well in this competitive game. For the amount of controversy surrounding the NBA rumor mill, you almost expect Irving to go somewhere else next week, but in reality, it's almost an impossibility that a deal will materialize for him until the offseason. The rumors will only fuel Irving to strut his stuff.
Jevon Carter, MEM at NY ($3,300): Carter represents an intriguing value option with Conley questionable and Kyle Anderson (shoulder) also out. The rookie started on Friday and scored 24 DKFP, and while I'd be inclined to get away from this spot if Conley plays, he still might be worth using as a placeholder if you play three elites.
FORWARDS
Paul George, OKC at BOS ($10,000): I will most likely find a spot for George wherever possible on this slim player offering at the forward spots. I think both he and Kawhi Leonard ($9,500) will fare well at forward, but on a day-to-day basis, PG13 will provide you with a more reliable floor.
Al Horford, BOS vs. OKC ($6,700): Horford should be a decent play at home. He put up close to 40 DKFP against the Raptors in their first matchup, and I'm considering him over other Celtics at this pot due to a historical lack of reliability against the Thunder. Tatum, Morris and Hayward might have to see some action as we finish out our lineups, but I can't single them out as significant targets tonight.
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. LAC ($6,000): I was tempted to go with Jayson Tatum ($5,700) for a few dollars less, but the explosive potential for Ibaka in this spot is difficult to resist. He beat up the Clippers in their last matchup with 45 DKFP in only 24 minutes – imagine what he could do with a little bit more playing time tonight! He's averaged 35 minutes per game over the past four games, so the numbers certainly bear out the possibility of higher usage.
CENTERS
Now that I look at the center position, I feel like I've cheated us with some of our best options by my forward endorsements – so you can definitely consider my previous two picks at this spot.
Marc Gasol, MEM at NY ($,7,800): You know it's a bad night when Gasol in your highest-priced center. We shouldn't sleep on the big man's potential here, however. He only played 25 minutes two days ago, so he should be well rested, and he put up close to 40 DKFP against the Knicks in their last matchup in what was an average scoring night.
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. LAC ($6,400): I don't have a problem with Ibaka or Siakam in either position against the Clippers. Siakam's overall output against the Clippers isn't as impressive as Ibaka's, but with both Tobias Harris and Montrezl Harrell playing significant minutes last night, I think the frontcourt will be largely vulnerable.
Boban Marjanovic, LAC at TOR ($3,000): He's a punt play, but Boban might present one of the ways that the Clippers can get a size advantage over Toronto inside. He's coming off a double-double against Detroit in only 17 minutes. If you are struggling for cash, he could turn out to be a reasonable play.
