DFSGhost 
With only five games on the NBA schedule, there is no room for error. Moreover, there is a strong possibility that many of the league’s brightest stars are missing in action tonight. It’s a Taco Tuesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
Be sure to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups as the news rolls in. Moreover, join the conversation in the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need from both subscribers and staff.
Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks (-4.5)
Boston Celtics (+4.5)
The opening game of the NBA slate will have two of the most popular rotations. Jaylen Brown (face) remains out for the Celtics, while Jayson Tatum (illness) is doubtful to play. Moreover, Marcus Smart (ankle) remains out, while Robert Williams III (ankle), Malcolm Brogdon (achilles), and Grant Williams (elbow) are all questionable to suit up. Thus, Boston will have a thin rotation tonight. Derrick White will surely be on of the most popular options in the mid range of the pricing grid. He comes into this one averaging 19.4/4.9/5.2 over his last ten games, scoring in double digits in all ten appearances. Moreover, Payton Pritchard stems to gain offensive looks, as do Sam Hauser and Al Horford, depending on who is available.
Milwaukee Bucks (-4.5)
Given that Vegas opened this line at a mere 4.5 points in the Bucks favor, there is a strong possibility that Giannis Antetokounmpo misses this one, despite being listed as probable. Should he evidently be available, there is a strong chance he leads the NBA slate in scoring. However, a lack of competitiveness in this game environment is apparent, should Tatum be ruled out. Should Antetokounmpo be ruled out, both Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez will get noticeable increases in offensive production, while Khris Middleton makes for an intriguing play in tournaments given his high volume, despite being on a minutes restriction.
Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns (-3.5)
Sacramento Kings (+3.5)
Since being snubbed from the NBA All-Star game, De’Aaron Fox has been on a tear. Over his last seven appearances, Fox has scored 30 or more points in six games. Moreover, he has averaged 29.7/4.1/7 on 50% shooting during that span. A model of consistency for the Kings this season, Domantas Sabonis has a notable advantage over Deandre Ayton in the paint on both ends of the court. Phoenix struggles on the glass in their own end, ranking 20th in the league in defensive rebounding.
Phoenix Suns (-3.5)
With the return of Devin Booker to the Suns lineup, this offense becomes much more potent. However, this greatly decreases the opportunities of both Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton in the pick-and-roll. While Booker continues to ease his way back into action after recovering from a hamstring injury, he figures to be on a soft minutes limit, as he has in his previous two games. In those appearances, which were his first since Christmas Day, Booker played 26 minutes, but took a combined 33 field goal attempts. There is simply no need to force exposure to the Suns on this NBA slate. Rather, keep an eye on the Golden State injury report since they are on the second half of a back-to-back and may sit Klay Thompson, making Jordan Poole a much better play than Chris Paul.
Honorable Mentions:
- Orlando Magic @ Toronto Raptors (-6.5)
- Washington Wizards @ Portland Trail Blazers (-3.5)
- Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers (-7.5)
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