DFSGhost 
As was pointed out yesterday, a multitude of players will miss games over the next two weeks. With the holiday period approaching, some teams will take advantage so give their players as much rest as they can. Thus, monitoring injury reports will be as important as ever to succeed in NBA action. 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.
Utah Jazz @ Detroit Pistons (+3.5)
Utah Jazz (-3.5)
With the Jazz on the second half of a back-to-back, this injury report will be important to tonight’s NBA slate. Both Kelly Olynyk and Collin Sexton were ruled out yesterday, and there is a possibility they both miss this game as well. Moreover, Mike Conley is a candidate to receive the night off to rest. Thus, there is interest to be had in the young duo of Walker Kessler and Nickeil Alexander-Walker against a rebuilding Pistons team. This is an elite game environment given that it has the the highest total on the board and the Pistons rank 29th in defensive rating. Moreover, Detroit sits 19th against centers, while being 28th in points allowed in the paint. More to come in Discord once Utah releases their final injury report.
Detroit Pistons (+3.5)
As much intrigue as Walker Kessler carries in this matchup, there is equal, if not more upside with Jalen Duren. Since taking over the starting center spot over Marvin Bagley, Duren has been playing elite basketball on both ends of the court, most notably on the glass. Over his last six games, Duren has logged 24 or more minutes in each appearance. Moreover, he has averaged 9.2/13.7/1.2 on 66.7% shooting during that span, including double-digit rebounds in every game. While he doesn’t take many shots, he is wildly efficient around the rim. Utah ranks 29th in the NBA against true centers and is last in the league in points allowed in the paint.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Denver Nuggets (+1.5)
Memphis Grizzlies (-1.5)
This is the game with all the star power on tonight’s NBA slate. Beginning with Memphis’ point guard, Ja Morant, there is a ton of upside in this matchup. Despite being tossed after a questionable technical foul in his last game, Morant has been elite offensively lately. Excluding last game since he got ejected, Morant has posted 20 or more points in eight of his last nine games before that. Moreover, during that span, Morant averaged 26.1/7.6/9.2 on 44.3% shooting. Denver ranks 29th in the NBA against primary ball handlers, setting the scene for Morant to come back from his ejection with a vengeance.
Denver Nuggets (+1.5)
The only player that will contend with Nikola Jokic to lead the NBA slate in scoring is discussed above. However, with Vegas having this one as a tight contest with a high total, pairing them together is ideal. Jokic is fresh off a ridiculous 40/27/10 triple-double against Charlotte. However, while that stat line will be impossible to replicate, his offensive game has been trending in the right direction as of late. In his last seven appearances, Jokic has scored 30 or more points in five games, with 25 or more in six of seven. During that span, Jokic has averaged 31.9/14/9.4 on 60.1% shooting. He is third in the NBA in total assists and assists per game, giving him yet another opportunity to get a triple-double tonight.
Honorable Mentions:
- Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat (-5.5)
- Golden State Warriors @ New York Knicks (-4.5)
- Washington Wizards @ Phoenix Suns (-6.5)
You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord
