This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in the NBA, we enter Monday's slate with even more uncertainty. Despite the many absences on Philly's roster, the league is optimistic that the Sixers-Celtics game will be played, but the Magic-Raptors contest is confirmed as postponed. We will work on the assumption that the Sixers and Celtics will be in action.
SLATE OVERVIEW
PHI @ BOS (no odds available)
CHI (-8.5) vs. HOU O/U: 223.5
MEM (-8.5) vs. OKC O/U: 212
UTA (-11.5) vs. CHA O/U: 233.5
GSW (-13.5) vs. SAC O/U: 224.5
LAC (-4.5) vs. SAS O/U: 217.5
INJURIES
PHI Joel Embiid (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
PHI Andre Drummond (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
PHI Tyrese Maxey (quad) - QUESTIONABLE
PHI Shake Milton (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
PHI Danny Green (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
PHI Furkan Korkmaz (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
PHI Georges Niang (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
The Sixers need to shed some of these questionable tags to ensure that this game will be played. If Embiid doesn't play, center duties will likely fall to Charles Bassey ($5,100), and the potential absences in the backcourt leave a wide berth for Seth Curry ($5,800) and Matisse Thybulle ($4,200) to produce.
BOS Jayson Tatum (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
BOS Al Horford (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
BOS Dennis Schroder (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
BOS Grant Williams (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
BOS Romeo Langford (neck) - QUESTIONABLE
If Langford remains out, Aaron Nesmith ($3,600) will get the starting nod if Tatum can't play. Robert Williams ($5,600) is a confirmed pivot for Al Horford.
HOU Kevin Porter (thigh) - OUT
HOU Armoni Brooks (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
HOU Jalen Green (hamstring) - OUT
Brooks would start if he plays, but Eric Gordon ($5,600) and Garrison Mathews ($4,800) would be your best option if Brooks cannot make it. Gordon is still a decent play regardless of Brooks' status.
CHI Zach LaVine (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
CHI Ayo Dosunmu (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
CHI Derrick Jones (hamstring) - OUT
The Bulls have employed several players to fill LaVine's spot, but Alex Caruso ($5,400) and Coby White ($5,100) appear to be the top options going into tonight's contest.
CHA Cody Martin (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
James Bouknight ($4,200) should see a slight boost in production with Martin out.
SAC De'Aaron Fox (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
SAC Richaun Holmes (eye) - OUT
SAC Marvin Bagley (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
SAC Davion Mitchell (COVID-19 Protocols - OUT
Tyrese Haliburton ($7,700) is your best pivot in Fox's absence, Chimezie Metu ($6,000) and Tristan Thompson ($5,100) are the next options for Holmes with Bagley out.
GSW Andrew Wiggins (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
GSW Jordan Poole (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
Wiggins' absence could prompt Jonathan Kuminga ($3,900) to have a coming-out party. He came through as a punt endorsement Saturday, and he should avoid getting sent back to the G-League while Wiggins is out. Otto Porter ($3,900) should also see more time.
LAC Paul George (elblow) - QUESTIONABLE
LAC Marcus Morris (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
The return of Nicolas Batum ($4,700) is great news for the Clippers and he should step in with Morris out. Luke Kennard ($5,500) will start for George if he misses another game.
ELITE PLAYERS
We carry the most security with our corps of elite guards, so it's a night on which we will likely look for cheap value at center. This approach puts Stephen Curry ($9,700) and Dejounte Murray ($9,100) at the forefront. A healthy DeMar DeRozan ($8,900) should also occupy many of our lineups, and at the bottom of the elite bunch, Donovan Mitchell ($8,500) stands out as another strong option.
Also consider: Rudy Gobert, UTA ($9,400) vs. CHA
EXPECTED CHALK AND VALUE PLAYS
Due to the size of the slate, we will combine these two categories. As usual, your nest values reside in the Injuries section.
Jaylen Brown, BOS ($7,300) vs. PHI
Assuming this game tips off as planned, Brown is in a great spot against the depleted Sixers and gets an A-plus grade if Tatum doesn't suit up. With Dennis Schroder also potentially out, the Celtics will look to Brown to handle the heavy lifting as a scorer. The injury scenario will make him a very popular target. I also like Marcus Smart ($5,700) tonight, especially if Tatum can't make it.
Tobias Harris, PHI ($7,000) @ BOS
It's hard to fade Harris at this salary even if Embiid plays, although he's absolutely chalk if Embiid is out. Brown and Harris represent tremendous value on this slate, so a lot depends on the status of this game. If the contest goes off without a hitch, Harris is an obvious add.
Jaren Jackson, MEM ($6,900) vs. OKC
Although Jackson's salary continues to rise, he's become Memphis' best upside DFS option with Ja Morant sidelined. Jackson's shooting has been tepid over his last five games, and he has only drained three three-pointers in 23 attempts over that span, but he's still averaging around 30 FP despite the cold streak. We need a little more than that for Jackson to pay off, but Oklahoma City is a soft opponent. Tyus Jones ($5,500) continues to start for Morant, and while his numbers won't wow you, he is another Memphis player who is underpriced.
Harrison Barnes, SAC ($6,100) @ GSW
A lot is working in Barnes' favor against the Warriors. With Andrew Wiggins out, the Warriors take a big hit in their ability to defend against his position, and Barnes tends to step up when injuries strike other members of the Kings' starting five. While I'd also give some exposure to Buddy Hield ($5,100), Barnes could end up as the top scorer for Sacramento tonight.
Also consider: Josh Giddey, OKC ($6,100) @ MEM, Gary Payton, GSW ($4,200) vs. SAC, Enes Freedom, BOS ($3,700) vs. PHI
