We have nine games on hand for tonight’s DFS NBA slate the highest sports-book total is 222.5 for the Minnesota/Brooklyn game. There is a bit of sickness going around the Timberwolves team and that will be something to watch out for heading into tonight’s slate. We should see the return of LeBron James but the big question is whether or not big man Anthony Davis will play? The Heat, already without Bam Adebayo, could once again be without Jimmy Butler as well. Jaylen Brown will sit tonight for health preservation and Devin Booker is dealing with an injured hamstring.
PG: D’Angelo Russell: One of the players (for now) that has been able to stay healthy over the last few days is Russell and James Harden isn’t a hard matchup defensively for him. The pace works in the ‘Wolves favor and Russell has taken 17 or more shots in three straight contests. He’s hit the 20-point mark in three of his last five outings and he has the most control over his destiny on the team because he handles the rock and has dished at least eight dimes in each of his last three games. He’s shot over 50 percent from the floor in two of his last four and he’s even swatted away multiple shots in three of his last five battles. He records about a steal per game as well and he has a safe floor when it comes to minutes as he’s played at least 39 in three straight. Karl-Anthony Towns may sit and other Timberwolves players may not be 100 percent. Patrick Beverley is still out for them as well.
SG: Tyler Herro: With Bam Adebayo out and Jimmy Butler very likely sidelined, Herro is looking at a 32.3 percent usage rate. He scores over 21 points per contest and he’s taken 18 or more shots in eight of his last 10 games. He’s been a reliable rebounder pulling down 5.5 per outing and he should once again play mid-30s minutes for this contest. Herro has also been helpful setting up plays and that has resulted in 3.8 assists per game. Tonight features a pace-up spot for the Heat and their backcourt can be beaten and the Heat’s guards are going to have to generate most of the offense tonight with their frontcourt damaged. The Pacers rank 13th at defending guards, but Herro is a safe option because of Miami’s injuries. Herro also shoots a very impressive 39.3 percent from downtown and he’ll get plenty of shots from long-range tonight.
SF: Kevin Durant: The Timberwolves aren’t 100 percent and Durant should completely eat them up in the post. They could be missing most of their size and Durant has grabbed at least eight boards per game in three of his last four. He’s also swatted away shots in three of his last four contests. He’s played 40-plus minutes and took 23 or more shots in his last two games. The heavy volume of action he gets regardless if his three’s aren’t falling make him worth spending up for. Durant just needs to continuously attack the rim tonight. The Timberwolves are a bottom seven team at defending mid-courts. Durant has also grabbed multiple steals in three of his last four games. Joe Harris being out will put more of the offensive focus on Durant and teammate James Harden and the Timberwolves are much better at defending the perimeter than the paint. Expect Durant to take full advantage no matter who ends up suiting up for the ‘Wolves tonight.
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.: With Christian Wood having to keep an eye on Mo Bamba, Carter is in a very strong spot as Houston doesn’t exactly have the size to keep both Magic big men out of the paint. Carter has grabbed 10 or more rebounds in five of his last six games. He’s taken 11 or more shots in four straight and he’s exceeded his 13.3 scoring average four times in his last five contests. He should be able to notch a double-double tonight. He’s posted four in his last five contests. Houston ranks 26th in the league at defending power forwards and this game brings a huge pace boost for the Magic tonight. Between the double-digit shots, strong matchup and having another big man playing alongside him that commands attention in the post, Carter is an appealing value forward tonight. He can even stretch the floor a bit and gets opportunities to take high-percentage shots from long-range.
C: Jarrett Allen: Allen has been a monster this season and he’s recorded five straight double-doubles. He’s pulled down 11.3 rebounds per game and he’s actually scored 19 or more points in each of his last five games. He’s the Cavs second leading scorer. The Cavs are dealing with backcourt injuries to Collin Sexton (who won’t play again this year) and Cedi Osman will be out tonight. It’s up to the very tall Cavs frontcourt to handle most of the offensive burden. Allen has received at least 34 minutes of playing time in four of his last five contests. He’s coming off of a five-block game and he swats away 1.2 shots per outing. His scoring and rebounding have been great this season despite sharing the lane with other big men like Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley and Kevin Love. The Wizards rank 19th in the league at defending centers.