This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With Christmas now in the rear view mirror, we have seven games on the docket on the final day of 2019. There are a few early games on tap as a result of New Year's Eve -- the action will kick off at 3:00 PM Eastern time as Philadelphia is set to square off with Indiana and the Celtics will visit the Hornets, although this column focuses on the slate beginning at 7:00 PM. The final game of 2019 will tip at 8:00 PM Eastern and features Dallas at Oklahoma City.
On the final day of 2019, I'll issue a friendly reminder that FanDuel has gone back to their old format, counting all nine of your player's scores within your lineup. With each selection counting towards your score, it'll be important to make each choice count.
Slate Overview
Here are a few matchups to either target or avoid on Tuesday's slate, based on FanDuel Sportsbook's projected scoring total. It can be beneficial to add players to your lineup who are expected to play in favorable scoring environments, especially if you're having a difficult time choosing between two value plays.
Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs (Projected Total: 216.5)
This game is expected to be the lowest scoring of the evening, but 216.5 isn't a bad projected total in comparison to other nights. San Antonio is coming off an impressive offensive performance Saturday against the Pistons, putting up 136 points in the win. On the other side, the Warriors are also fresh off a 121-point game against the Mavericks, so even without D'Angelo Russell (illness) and Willie Cauley-Stein (illness), they should have plenty of pieces in place to get the job done.
Denver Nuggets at Houston Rockets (Projected Total: 220.5)
There isn't a lot to distinguish the four later games on the slate, but any game involving the Rockets (second in the NBA in pace, and first at home) has a chance to become a track meet, even when they're hosting a Nuggets squad that prefers a more deliberate approach (29th in pace). James Harden and Clint Capela are both banged up for Houston, but Russell Westbrook is more than capable of carrying the load. For its part, Denver hung 120 and 119 points against the Kings and Grizzlies respectively this weekend, and Nikola Jokic is on a roll.
Positional Breakdown
We have eight teams suiting up Tuesday night, though the injury picture could make it difficult to differentiate your lineups within this slate. I'll take you through each position, highlighting the depth of each position and a few value plays to target.
PG: Luka Doncic is at the top of the list at this position, though his availability is up in the air due to a wrist injury. For such a hefty price ($10,800), it may be beneficial to look elsewhere. Russell Westbrook is an elite option, priced just under $10K. Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul fall into the mid-tier category, while Collin Sexton and Derrick White are potential value plays.
SG: We have another injury at the top of the list here, as James Harden ($11,500) is questionable with a toe injury. Fred VanVleet and DeMar DeRozan are a pair of solid options if you elect to avoid Harden, while Patrick McCaw and Bryn Forbes are two undervalued options.
SF: Small forward looks like the weakest position on this slate, with Will Barton ($6,300) sitting atop the board. Danilo Gallinari (ankle) is questionable but is priced at $6,000, and Alec Burks and Danuel House Jr. are the next two to follow. It's wouldn't be a bad idea to go with a value play or two here, given the shortage of elite talent.
PF: Kristaps Porzingis and LaMarcus Aldridge are the top two players available at power forward, priced at $8,400 and $8,200, respectively. Kevin Love is a solid mid-tier option against a depleted Toronto squad, while Nerlens Noel and P.J. Tucker can be considered low-end pickups.
C: Moving to center, Nikola Jokic is the priciest choice at $9,300. Clint Capela is the next best option, though he's being considered questionable due to a heel injury. Heading to the bottom of the list, I'll highlight Dwight Powell and Mason Plumlee as possible value plays.
Injury Situations to Monitor
De'Aaron Fox, SAC
Fox is probable due to back spasms. He's not expected to be limited.
Gary Harris, DEN
Harris is also probable due to a lower-leg bruise. He's on track to return to the court following a one-game absence.
James Harden, HOU
Harden missed Sunday's game against the Pelicans due to a sprained toe, and his availability remains up in the air heading into Tuesday. He'll be one of the bigger names to watch leading up to tip.
Clint Capela, HOU
Capela has been sidelined for the last two matchups while nursing a heel injury, but he's recently been upgraded to questionable. Expect an update sometime after morning shootaround.
Eric Paschall, GS
Paschall was upgraded to probable after taking part in Monday's practice. He's on track to take the court and could see extended minutes with Willie Cauley-Stein and Kevon Looney already ruled out.
Tim Hardaway Jr., DAL
Hardaway is questionable after straining his hamstring during Sunday's contest with the Lakers. His availability figures to hinge on how he fares in shootaround and pregame activities.
Luka Doncic, DAL
Doncic is another star carrying an injury tag into Tuesday's game. He's questionable due to a left wrist sprain.
Dennis Schroder, OKC
Schroder is being considered questionable due to a sore right ankle. Deonte Burton could see more work if Schroder can't go.
Danilo Gallinari, OKC
Gallinari has been sidelined for the last four games while attending to a left ankle issue, but he's listed as questionable for Tuesday's clash.
Elite Players
There are only two players listed on this slate above $10K, and both of them carry injury designations into Tuesday's games: James Harden ($11,500) and Luka Doncic ($10,800). Outside of these two, we have Russell Westbrook ($9,600), Nikola Jokic ($9,300) and Kristaps Porzingis ($8,400) as elite talent priced below the $10K mark.
As we work our way down the list, we also see guys such as Fred VanVleet ($8,200), LaMarcus Aldridge ($8,200), Clint Capela ($7,900) and Kyle Lowry ($7,800), all players averaging just under 40 FanDuel points per game this season.
Expected Chalk
As noted above, there won't be an abundance of elite talent on display Tuesday night, making it a bit more difficult to predict the chalky plays. However, expect James Harden and Luka Doncic to be highly owned, despite their injury tags. Russell Westbrook, Nikola Jokic and Kristaps Porzingis should also be heavily targeted, considering they're the next best options outside of Harden and Doncic.
Eric Paschall could be a chalky play as a result of Golden State's injury picture, with both Willie Cauley-Stein and D'Angelo Russell sidelined due to illness. Paschall's expected workload will be enticing for the DFS community. Along those same lines, Jacob Evans could be a popular value play with Russell out of the mix at point guard for the Warriors.
Key Values
Alec Burks, GS at SAN ($5,600)
Burks is available to be scooped up for under $6K, which isn't bad for a guy who's averaging 28.6 FanDuel points per game this season. He's also proven that he can bust out for a huge performance, as shown by his 50.4 FD points Dec. 23 against the Timberwolves -- he finished with 25 points, eight assists, three steals and two boards across 34 minutes. Burks should be in line to see plenty of opportunities Tuesday evening with Russell out of the mix.
Jerami Grant, DEN at HOU ($4,200)
The 2014 second-round pick out of Syracuse is coming off an impressive showing Sunday against the Kings, finished with 27.4 FD points in 33 minutes of action. He's seen around 30 minutes of action in each of his last three matchups, and he'll be a candidate to start Tuesday with Paul Millsap (quadriceps) already ruled out. Grant has scored in double figures in each of Denver's last four games, and he should have plenty of opportunities to extend that streak in Houston against a team that may be without their best player in James Harden (toe).
