This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We've got a four-game DraftKings NBA slate on tap Sunday with a lot to cover.
There are a couple of stars on the injury report already and a lot of value could open on the slate depending on who is out. Philadelphia at Indiana kicks things off at 7:00 p.m. EST, so let's take a look at what to watch for and try to identify some of the best plays.
Injuries to Monitor
Joel Embiid, PHI (back)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Embiid has been dealing with back soreness recently. He missed a matchup with the Pistons, but has played the past two games. If he misses out, Dwight Howard and Tony Bradley would likely see a boost.
Doug McDermott, IND (back)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
McDermott left Friday's game against Charlotte because of this injury. His absence likely wouldn't affect much, but could mean more shots for Jeremy Lamb and minutes for Kelan Martin.
James Harden, BKN (thigh)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Harden picked up a thigh injury against the Thunder on Friday. Kevin Durant sat out that game and it looks like Harden at least has a chance to here.
Raul Neto, WAS (groin)/Status: OUT
Neto will miss the next few games with a groin injury, opening up backup point guard minutes in Washington. Ish Smith would be the most likely benefactor.
OG Anunoby, TOR (calf)/Status: OUT
Anunoby will miss his third straight game on Sunday.
Norman Powell, TOR (quadriceps)/Status: DOUBTFUL
The doubtful tag means we can basically consider Powell out for this one. That opens up some extra value for Stanley Johnson and Terence Davis.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN (COVID-19)/Status: OUT
Towns has been on the COVID-19 list since Jan. 15. Naz Reid has been starting in his place, though he is questionable for Sunday.
D'Angelo Russell, MIN (quadriceps)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Russell missed three games this injury but made his return Friday. He is once again listed as questionable ahead of tonight's matchup.
Naz Reid, MIN (wrist)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Reid missed Friday's game and is listed as questionable with a wrist injury. If he is unable to go, Ed Davis would likely draw another start at center.
Other notable injuries:
Juancho Hernangomez, MIN (COVID-19)/Status: OUT
Jarrett Culver, MIN (ankle)/Status: OUT
Elite Players
The Brooklyn/Washington matchup is the game you want to spend up for on this slate.
If Harden sits, that makes Kevin Durant ($10,100) and Kyrie Irving ($9,300) look a lot better. Both stars went for more than 50 fantasy points in the first meeting between the teams. Russell Westbrook ($9,000) represents the best stud on this slate for his salary as he scored 41.5 fantasy points most recently against Atlanta despite being ejected with 10 minutes remaining and is always a triple-double threat.
Bradley Beal ($10,200) is also firmly in play averaging 52.1 fantasy points per contest.
Joel Embiid ($9,900) would look great against Indiana if he is able to go. Domantas Sabonis ($9,100) is always a threat to break 50 fantasy points, but I like other options more. Nikola Vucevic ($8,700) is a fine play, while Andre Drummond ($8,400) is in play for tournaments. His minutes are starting to come down and he only played 24 recently, but can reach value in a short amount of time.
Expected Chalk
If Harden misses, I definitely expect Durant and Irving to receive high coverage. Add Westbrook to that list at his salary.
If Naz Reid is declared out again, a lot of people will likely look to Ed Davis ($3,300). Davis played 23 minutes in his start against Minnesota on Friday. Fred VanVleet ($7,700) could also be fairly popular. The value is reasonable on the Toronto guard, who has already broken the 50 fantasy point barrier several times this season.
Terence Davis ($3,500) enters as another value choice who could be popular.
There are plenty of choices to be made for just a four-game slate. A lot of value could open up depending on what happens with injury news, so keeping a close eye will be crucial to building a winning lineup.
Key Value
Terence Davis, TOR vs. ORL ($3,500)
Davis started on Friday with Powell and Anunoby both sidelined. He scored 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting in 19 minutes, but didn't provide much outside of that.
Davis has fared decently this season as a 0.96 fantasy point-per-minute producer. We can't expect that production to stay if he's sharing the court with starters, but he can still reach value. Davis's salary is so low he seems like a safe play in this spot.
Plugging him in your lineup allows you to spend up for the likes of KD and Westbrook.
Anthony Edwards, MIN vs. CLE ($5,300)
Edwards is starting to see his minutes increase due to all the Minnesota injuries.
The No. 1 pick in the 2020 Draft started for the first time Friday against Philadelphia. He recently scored 25 points against Golden State, his second highest total of the season. This is the spot to buy into Edwards against a mediocre Cleveland team.
You're going to need the rookie to score, but he can easily reach value at this salary when his shot is falling.
Aron Baynes, TOR vs. ORL ($3,700)
The Raptors are giving less time to Chris Boucher and more to Baynes.
He's a good bet to see 20 minutes of action after back-to-back matchups with 23 minutes. Baynes can easily reach 20 fantasy points, which is all you need at this valuation. The spot against Orlando is solid, and I look for Baynes to make an impact with his outside shooting and rebounding.
I'm looking to the Australian sensation to keep up his recent stretch of solid play. If you need a cheap center play, I'm either looking to Ed Davis or Baynes.
