This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We're set for a five-game slate Tuesday that unfortunately features some recent notable entrants into the COVID-19 protocols, which thins out the player pool. The contests on tap project to be largely competitive based on point spreads, however, and with three totals over 220 points, the prospect of some big individual performances is also bright.
Slate Overview
Memphis Grizzlies at Cleveland Cavaliers (-2.5) (O/U: 216.0 points)
San Antonio Spurs at Toronto Raptors (-7) (O/U: 224.5 points)
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks (-1.5) (O/U: 206.5 points)
Phoenix Suns (-7.5) at New Orleans Pelicans (O/U: 223.0 points)
Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers (-6.5) (O/U: 229.5 points)
Even with names like Dejounte Murray and Julius Randle on the COVID-19 list, there are still some big-name players in action Tuesday, including LeBron James, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Ja Morant. The Suns-Pelicans and Kings-Lakers games could well offer the best DFS environments overall, as Brandon Ingram should be back to a normal workload after logging a solid 31 minutes in his return from the COVID-19 protocols Monday night.
Injury Situations to Monitor
NOTE: Injury reporting is especially fluid in the NBA, where the status of multiple players can change during the course of a day. Therefore, although the following serves as a foundation for the latest injury report as of the time the article is written, check back throughout the course of the day with RotoWire for the latest news regarding the status of all players on that night's slate, including those carrying injury designations that aren't listed in this section.
Dejounte Murray, SAM (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
In Murray's ongoing absence, Derrick White should continue to see elevated usage while Tre Jones could draw another start.
LeBron James, LAL (abdomen): PROBABLE
James is fully expected to play through his ongoing abdomen issue and should see even more elevated usage than usual with Anthony Davis (knee) out.
Caris LeVert, IND (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
With LeVert joining other backcourt members such as Chris Duarte and Malcolm Brogdon in health and safety protocols, the Pacers may turn to two-way player Duane Washington and veteran Lance Stephenson at shooting guard.
Julius Randle, NYK (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
In Randle's ongoing absence Tuesday, Obi Toppin and Kevin Knox may see big minutes at power forward, while the usage of the remaining members of the starting five should see a notable boost.
Darius Garland, CLE (conditioning): GTD
If Garland is able to take the floor, he'll possibly be on a minutes restriction after missing the last four games in COVID-19 protocols.
Other notable injuries:
Anthony Davis, LAL (knee): OUT
Malcolm Brogdon, IND (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Deandre Ayton, PHO (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Richaun Holmes, SAC (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Dillon Brooks, MEM (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Kemba Walker, NYK (knee): OUT
De'Anthony Melton, MEM (COVID-19 protocols): OUT
Elite Players
We have two players with five-figure salaries slated to be active on Tuesday's slate: LeBron James ($11,400) and Domantas Sabonis ($10,000).
James is now averaging 52.6 FD points per contest for the season after rattling off scores of 52.9 to 77.8 FD points over his last six games. His usage rate without Anthony Davis on the floor now stands at 31.6 percent and he's averaging 55.7 FD points per 36 minutes in that scenario as well.
Sabonis has scored over 50 FD points in three straight and sports a 23.0 percent usage rate and average of 47.2 FD points per 36 minutes with Brogdon, LeVert and Duarte off the floor this season. He'll also face a depleted Knicks frontcourt that will be without Randle, Nerlens Noel and likely Mitchell Robinson.
Expected Chalk
In addition to the players just mentioned in the prior section, other likely chalk plays include:
Fred VanVleet, TOR ($9,900)
VanVleet has scored 51.3 to 65.4 FD points in his last four games and draws a very favorable matchup against a defensively suspect/short-handed Spurs backcourt, which should make him very popular.
Ja Morant, MEM ($9,800)
Morant has scored 47.8 to 62 FD points in his last four games, and along with VanVleet, is one of the highest-upside options at guard Tuesday.
Pascal Siakam, TOR ($9,400)
Siakam has scored 47.3 to 67.3 FD points in his first three games back from a two-game absence while in the COVID-19 protocols.
Derrick White, SAN ($8,000)
White should continue to enjoy an expanded role in Murray's ongoing absence Tuesday (38.7 FD points per 36 without Murray on floor) and checks in having scored over 44 FD points in three of his past five games.
Key Values
Alec Burks, NYK vs. IND ($6,000)
There are numerous Knicks that should benefit to varying degrees from the ongoing absences of Randle and Walker on Tuesday, and Burks could be one of those best positioned to take full advantage. The veteran sharpshooter is averaging 40.2 FD points per 36 minutes without those two players on the floor this season and checks in having scored 47.8 and 36.8 FD points in two of his last three games. He'll also have the benefit of facing a short-handed Pacers squad that's allowing the sixth-highest three-point shooting percentage on the road (36.6) and that's allowing 39.5 FD points per game to small forwards. Indiana also ranks in the bottom half of the league in offensive efficiency yielded to second-unit players (40.2 percent), a weakness that could be exacerbated by their lack of healthy personnel.
Jalen Smith, PHO at NOP ($5,800)
Smith has been outstanding while filling in for both Ayton and JaVale McGee while the big men are in the COVID-19 protocols, scoring over 30 FD points in three straight and 26.8 FD points in the game prior to that stretch. The talented rookie is getting it done very efficiently as well, as he hasn't exceeded 29 minutes in any of those contests. Smith should draw another start Tuesday against the Pelicans, which rank No. 19 in offensive efficiency allowed to centers (31.7 percent) and are allowing 55.2 FD points per game to the position as well.
Malik Monk, LAL vs. SAC ($5,600)
Monk has been very productive since moving into the starting lineup on a full-time basis, averaging 29.7 FD points while shooting a blistering 57.4 percent, including 42.4 percent from distance, over his last six games. The fifth-year guard also has tallies of 30.5 and 30.8 FD points in two prior games versus the Kings this season and will be poised for another fruitful night Tuesday based on metrics. Sacramento comes in allowing Western Conference-high 24.7 percent offensive efficiency to shooting guards, along with an NBA-high 45.6 FD points per game to twos. Monk is already averaging 30.6 FD points per 36 minutes without AD on the floor, and that figure could well see a boost Tuesday.
ALSO CONSIDER: Lauri Markkanen, CLE vs. MEM ($5,200); Cameron Payne, PHO at NOP ($5,200)
