This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Monday's nine-game slate kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Let's first take a look at our odds and totals for tonight's offering.
SLATE OVERVIEW
PHI @ DAL (+3) O/U: 225
LAL @ NYK (-3) O/U: 205.5
SAS @ ORL (+6) O/U: 220.5
BKN @ MIN (+9.5) O/U: 237
WAS @ UTA (-12.5) O/U: 235
CHA @ MEM (-2.5) O/U: 229
SAC @ NOR (-3.5) O/U: 231
DEN @ GSW (+3.5) O/U 229.5
HOU @ PHO (-13) O/U: 228.5
(odds are best available US odds and are subject to change)
Games to Target in BOLD
Games to Fade in ITALIC
INJURIES
LAL Kyle Kuzma (calf) - QUESTIONABLE
If Kuzma is still sidelined, look to Talen Horton-Tucker ($6,000) and Markieff Morris ($5,200) to be the best pivots at the position.
ORL Chuma Okeke (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
James Ennis ($5,300) will pivot to Okeke's spot if he is out, which will open up things for Gary Harris ($3,800) in Ennis' usual spot.
BKN Kyrie Irving (personal) - OUT
BKN James Harden (hamstring) - OUT
BKN LaMarcus Aldridge (illness) - OUT
Usually, Jeff Green ($5,600) finds a way to produce when multiple elites are out for Brooklyn. Due to the number of backcourt absences, Bruce Brown ($5,500) will also see more time. Nicolas Claxton ($4,000) may also see more minutes unless Steve Nash decides to re-activate DeAndre Jordan ($3,500).
MIN Malik Beasley (hamstring) - OUT
Anthony Edwards ($7,700) has taken over at the two, and Josh Okogie ($4,600) has slid into Edwards' previous spot. If the starting lineup remains the same, these are the two best options in Beasley's absence.
NOR Lonzo Ball (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
NOR Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) - OUT
NOR Josh Hart (thumb) - OUT
Stock up on Eric Bledsoe ($5,800) in this scenario and find some exposure to Naji Marshall ($4,100), who's started two straight games and put up 34 FDFP against Cleveland on Sunday night.
UTA Mike Conley (injury management) - OUT
UTA Jordan Clarkson (ankle) - DOUBTFUL
Joe Ingles ($5,500) will likely slide into the two spot in this scenario. Donovan Mitchell ($9,000) should have sky-high usage due to the multiple guard absences.
DEN Jamal Murray (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
Murray's output has proven difficult to replicate. Facundo Campazzo ($4,000) and Monte Morris ($4,900) are your best options if Murray can't go.
GSW Kelly Oubre (wrist) - OUT
GSW James Wiseman (knee) - OUT FOR SEASON
The Warriors will now turn to Kevon Looney ($3,700) at center, although you can bet that Draymond Green ($7,300) will command a lot of time in the interior. Expect Kent Bazemore ($5,200) to start in place of Oubre again tonight.
ELITE PLAYERS
We have seven players at $10k or above. Karl-Anthony Towns ($11,300) sits at the top, and you have to consider his worth against the Nets, who will be without LaMarcus Aldridge inside and will also lack the services of James Harden and Kyrie Irving. Kevin Durant ($9,400) will be overworked but is still a good value as his salary is trending back up, but expect Towns to produce one of the night's best totals.
The clash of two elites will happen in Dallas, as Joel Embiid ($10,400) tangles with Luka Doncic ($10,200). Philly holds the slight advantage as Dallas is coming off a back-to-back game against the Spurs, which could lead to a rest night for Kristaps Porzingis, although that's unlikely given the difficulty of this game. I favor Embiid over Doncic in this spot.
The other elite center is Nikola Jokic ($10,800), who put up another triple-double against the Celtics and shows no signs of slowing down. If we look back a month, Jokic has experienced no downtick whatsoever in back-to-back games, so consider him safe for more exposure.
Russell Westbrook ($11,000) might be in for a slight course correction against the tough Utah defense tonight, but Stephen Curry ($10,100) is in a much better spot against the Nuggets, who are coming off a demoralizing game against the Celtics that they should have won. Without Jamal Murray to bother Curry, he should excel. While I like Zion Williamson, he's coming off a back-to-back and may not be able to beat value at a $10k salary point.
As we round out the picks for $9k and above, we've already mentioned Durant as an option. Beyond him, there is a bevy of qualified options, but their prices aren't exactly favorable. Julius Randle has potential at $9,600, although Andre Drummond's presence has amped up the Lakers interior somewhat. Nikola Vucevic is a little too expensive at $9,500, but two spots worth considering at this level have to be De'Aaron Fox ($9,500) at New Orleans and Devin Booker ($9,400) at home versus Houston. You need a 50 FP score from them to be worthwhile, but both players have eclipsed that mark in recent games, and they are both in favorable spots. It's possible to fade everyone above $10k altogether and begin your core build here.
EXPECTED CHALK
Zach LaVine, CHI ($8,700) @ MEM
It's important to remember historical salary data, especially when you look at a guy like LaVine. At below $9k, you're talking about an absolute scoring behemoth who plays on a fast-paced squad. The acquisition of Nikola Vucevic has stolen some of LaVine's thunder, but with every passing game, you have to think these two players can only improve each other's bottom line. Despite the back-to-back, LaVine should be poised for a value-beating night against the Grizzlies.
John Wall, HOU ($8,000) vs. PHO
Although this will be an interesting mini-revenge game for Chris Paul ($8,400), I like the idea of going with Wall after a day's rest. The Rockets have taken it slowly with Wall, but he's posted value-beating numbers in two consecutive games, both of which came after long spans of rest. There's always a small chance that they rest him for injury management purposes, but if he plays, the numbers indicate a likelihood of a 40 FP-plus night.
Andrew Wiggins, GSW ($7,700) vs. DEN
Although the Nuggets will be hopping mad after blowing a lead against Boston, a look at the Warriors' scoring distribution reveals a decent spot for Wiggins, who will be called on to do a lot more in Kelly Oubre's absence. Wiggins is needed to keep Golden State from being a one-dimensional attack, and the revamped backcourt will need all the help it can get. The Warriors can take this game with superlative nights from Curry and Wiggins.
Deandre Ayton, PHO ($6,900) @ HOU
Ayton was able to put one over on the Rockets a week ago with a 14/11 double-double, and I see no reason why he can't replicate or improve on those numbers. Ayton was able to hold Christian Wood to only three rebounds, which will be the deciding metric in this faceoff. If Ayton can win the battle in the paint once again, he should be able to go for another double-double and beat 5x value.
Also consider: Jonas Valanciunas, MEM ($7,300) vs. CHI
VALUE PLAYS
Most of our top values reside in the Injuries section, but here are some additional targets below the FanDuel median price.
D'Angelo Russell, MIN ($6,600) vs. BKN
This would be an ideal night to take the cap off Russell's minutes. Even if the Wolves restrict him a bit, he only needs 33 FP to be worthwhile at this salary point, and with the Brooklyn backcourt devoid of elites, he could be in for a great night if he's let loose. Anthony Edwards ($7,500) is sure to have an excellent night as well, but Russell is definitely worth considering at this salary.
Bojan Bogdanovic, UTA ($4,900) vs. WAS
As we comb over Utah's roster, Bojan stands out as a guy who could take over the scoring burden with both Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson out of action. He's shown the ability to get above 25 FP often, and that's what we need to justify this salary. He didn't play well in his last game against the Wizards, and he'll be looking to change his fortunes against them.
Blake Griffin, BKN ($4,500) @ MIN
A couple of things have to happen to justify this endorsement. First, we need to see DeAndre Jordan inactive for yet another night. Second, a minutes cap on Kevin Durant would give Griffin a bit more court time. Stay away from him if Jordan retakes the floor though, so play a wait-and-see game here.
Mo Bamba, ORL ($4,300) vs. SAS
It might be tough to use Bamba at the valuable center position tonight, especially when considering his position on the second unit. Still, the once highly touted prospect is finally getting increased opportunity after toiling on the bench for a couple of seasons and is taking advantage of the uptick in minutes. With three straight games of 30 or more FP, his salary is superb and a great spot for value.
Also consider: Buddy Hield, SAC ($6,200) @ NOR
