This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Saturday's main slate omits the early game between the Grizzlies and Magic. The adjusted slate will tip off at 7:00 p.m ET, and we'll head into the evening with a number of game-time calls and question marks.
SLATE OVERVIEW
MIA (-3.5) @ CHA O/U: 224.5
PHO (7.5) @ WAS O/U: 222
LAL (-1.5) vs. NYK O/U: 212.5
SAC (-6) vs. OKC O/U: 216.5
MIL (-8.5) @ POR O/U: 226.5
The questionable issues for the Lakers make them a tough team to depend on early, but you may be able to make some internal late-swap pivots as more news becomes available. No game is an outright fade today, and we ended up not giving enough love to Miami in our endorsements. I recommend perusing their starting five if you're looking for further options.
INJURIES
MIA P.J. Tucker (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
MIA Max Strus (quad) - QUESTIONABLE
MIA Caleb Martin (Achilles) - QUESTIONABLE
Duncan Robinson ($5,000) will be a likely candidate for increased production if these injury tags hold.
WAS Bradley Beal (wrist) - OUT
Aaron Holiday ($3,500) is currently starting for Beal.
LAL LeBron James (knee) - DOUBTFUL
LAL Carmelo Anthony (hamstring - OUT
Expect to see more of Stanley Johnson ($3,600) and Talen Horton-Tucker ($4,900) in this scenario.
OKC Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) - OUT
Aside from obvious pivots, Tre Mann ($4,900) and Theo Maledon ($3,500) will continue to get additional looks with SGA sidelined.
De'Aaron Fox (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Marvin Bagley (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Chimezie Metu ($4,300) and Davion Mitchell ($5,900) will continue to see boosts if the questionable tags hold.
POR Norman Powell TRADED
POR Robert Covington TRADED
Tony Snell ($3,500) should end up seeing more time as the transfer of players begins.
ELITE PLAYERS
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,400) sits atop the player pool with the evening's highest salary, and he'll be worth every penny against Portland, who will be short-handed due to the recent trade. Anthony Davis ($10,500) isn't too far behind, but the situation is in flux because of LeBron James' ($10,700) iffy status. If James misses again, I would add Russell Westbrook ($8,500) to the pile.
LaMelo Ball ($9,300) and Chris Paul ($9,900) are running neck-and-neck as the top two elites at point guard, although Paul's salary may be a little too much to stomach tonight.
EXPECTED CHALK AND CORE TARGETS
CJ McCollum ($7,800), Jusuf Nurkic ($7,700) and Anfernee Simons ($6,500), POR vs. MIL
Norman Powell and Robert Covington are headed out of town, and there will be a delay for the incoming Clippers to join their new team. In the interim, Portland's top three will be put to the task against the Bucks. While we don't know exactly what to expect in the gaps, this trio will almost assuredly see increased output.
Josh Giddey, OKC ($6,500) @ SAC
Giddey is still amazingly cheap as the Thunder's current top fantasy option and is about as chalk as you'll get in Saturday's player pool. One should also expect Kenrich Williams ($3,700) and Darius Bazley ($5,100) to enjoy additional scoring opportunities against the Kings.
Also consider: RJ Barrett, NYK ($6,200) @ LAL, Bobby Portis, MIL ($6,000) @ POR
VALUE PLAYS
My favorite values from the injury section are Metu, Davion Mitchell and Horton-Tucker (if James is out).
Harrison Barnes, SAC ($5,700) vs. OKC
Barnes is still at a great salary point and will enjoy increased opportunity in Marvin Bagley's absence. The veteran has popped for 25 and 28 points in the past 10 days, and although there are a couple of clunkers in there, he's usually good for rebounds and assists that can assuage the damage of a poor shooting night.
CJ Elleby, POR ($3,800) vs. MIL
Elleby's role will undoubtedly increase Saturday, and he's one of the guys that Portland is depending on to step up. The team is aware of Elleby's potential, and he's one reason they felt comfortable parting ways with Covington. He logged 27 minutes in Friday's game, and although there's a good deal of variance with this pick, he could help you stay under the salary cap.
