This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Wednesday's nine-game slate kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET and features Kevin Durant's return, along with some other interesting matchups.
SLATE OVERVIEW
(Odds are best available US odds and are subject to change)
Games to Target in BOLD
Games to Fade in ITALIC
MIN @ IND (-3.5) O/U: 227.5
WAS @ ORL (+3.5) O/U: 224.5
NYK @ BOS (-3.5) O/U: 214.5
NOR @ BKN (-10.5) O/U: 231
MEM @ ATL (-3) O/U: 228
DAL @ HOU (+11.5) O/U: 225
CHA @ OKC (+5) O/U: 214
SAS @ DEN (-6) O/U: 223.5
UTA @ PHO (+2 ) O/U: 225.5
We didn't give the Suns much love in this article, but I strongly recommend them as a late-swap tool if things aren't going your way early in the slate. They should be a source of unique, pivotable value that could turn the tide for you in cash games.
INJURIES
MIN D'Angelo Russell (knee) - PROBABLE
MIN Malik Beasley (hamstring) - OUT
Beasley's injury will keep him out of action for April, so this is the last time we'll mention him for a while when touching on the Timberwolves. The obvious story here is Russell's return. He will remain on a minute restriction, but in his second game back, he'll cut into time for Ricky Rubio and, to some degree, Anthony Edwards.
IND Domantas Sabonis (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
IND Malcolm Brogdon (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
IND Myles Turner (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
This trio is listed from most likely to least likely to return for Wednesday's game. Thankfully, this game is relatively early in the day, so there should be news before contests lock. Sabonis would be a decent play if he is in and Turner is out, and the opposite is also true, although Turner's return is pretty remote. Caris LeVert ($8,500) is really the only guy worth mentioning in this scenario if all three of these playmakers are out. Of the subs, Edmond Sumner ($4,000) would probably be the most effective in Brogdon's place.
WAS Bradley Beal (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
WAS Rui Hachimura (shoulder) - QUESTIONABLE
We'll discuss Beal in a moment, but assuming that Hachimura is out, Deni Avdija ($4,300) is the best pivot.
ORL Michael Carter-Williams (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
ORL Cole Anthony (ribs) - QUESTIONABLE
ORL Otto Porter (foot) - OUT
ORL Khem Birch (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
The only pivot we need to concern ourselves with is at point guard. It looks like the R.J. Hampton ($4,800) experiment paid off for Orlando in his first start, as he logged 16 points in 33 minutes of play. This should leapfrog him over Chasson Randle.
NOR Brandon Ingram (toe) - QUESTIONABLE
NOR Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) - OUT
NOR Josh Hart (thumb) - OUT
You'll likely see a lineup adjustment for James Johnson ($6,400) to relieve Ingram. Although his salary has skyrocketed, he's shown an ability to get things done when injury hits the frontcourt. There will be some mention of the remaining Pelicans later in the article.
BKN James Harden (hamstring) - OUT
BKN Kevin Durant (hamstring) - PROBABLE
At long last, Durant should make his return tonight, and Harden will take his place as the long-term absentee. The power trio has obviously read Saquon Barkley's new book, 'How to Blow Up A Fantasy Roster' because the number of games where all three of these stars have appeared together is scant. We'll elaborate on this spot in the Elite Section, but if there's a minute restriction on Durant, I still like Jeff Green ($5,400) as a decent pivot at the four.
MEM Ja Morant (back) - QUESTIONABLE
MEM Brandon Clarke (calf) - QUESTIONABLE
MEM De'Anthony Melton (leg) - OUT
The point guard duties should fall to Tyus Jones ($4,300) if Morant can't go. Otherwise, I'd expect the remaining starters to absorb a lot of Morant and Clarke's output.
ATL John Collins (ankle) - OUT
Collins' absence has remained good news for Clint Capela ($10,400), but his FanDuel salary has gotten slightly out of hand. Bogdan Bogdanovic ($7,200) is a cheaper way to get involved in this injury scenario.
HOU John Wall (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
Kevin Porter ($6.600) would start again if Wall is out, and if Wall plays, Porter would likely shift to the two and cut into Avery Bradley's ($4,400) time, who made an appearance in the starting lineup against the Suns.
CHA Gordon Hayward (foot) - OUT
CHA Malik Monk (ankle) - OUT
It's a tough break for the Hornets, who've lost two major playmakers in a matter of days. Expect Miles Bridges ($5,800) to step up in Hayward's absence, while Brad Wanamaker ($4,500) will rise in the rotation with Monk sidelined.
OKC Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - OUT
OKC Darius Bazley (shoulder) - OUT
OKC Isaiah Roby (concussion) - OUT
OKC Luguentz Dort (concussion)- OUT
No real change in the injury situation here. This isn't a team to target tonight but refer to the starting lineup for contrarian value if you're feeling lucky.
SAS Dejounte Murray (foot) - QUESTIONABLE
If Murray can't go, expect Patty Mills ($3,900) to be worked into the rotation while Derrick White ($5,700) continues work in the backcourt.
DEN Jamal Murray (leg) - QUESTIONABLE
This is a tough pivot, as both Monte Morris ($3,800) and Facundo Campazzo ($3,800) would share time at the position if Murray misses the game. One of them is worth a flier, but it may be best to avoid the situation altogether.
ELITE PLAYERS
We have six players at $10K or above tonight. Karl-Anthony Towns ($11,400) holds the highest salary. Though he's in a great spot against a compromised Indiana frontcourt, I don't think he's as necessary when you look at the assortment of centers available tonight. Russell Westbrook ($11,000) remains heavily in play as a triple-double candidate, but you'd have to downgrade him if Bradley Beal ($8,300) somehow returned to action. Kyrie Irving ($10,400) would still be fine despite Kevin Durant's return, but I think it's Luka Doncic ($10,300) who rises to the top of this five-digit grouping. He's in a great spot against the Rockets, and his recent floor has been rock-solid. As usual, Nikola Jokic ($10,200) can't be ignored, and while he's definitely more affordable than Towns, the center position might be better as a value spot in tonight's builds. I have no problem building around him in some lineups, however.
In the 9k range, Zion Williamson ($9,700) appears to be the best man to target as they face the Nets in a potentially speedy matchup. Additionally, Julius Randle ($9,400) stands out after coming off his fifth triple-double of the season. His size and aggressiveness should cause problems for Boston.
EXPECTED CHALK
Trae Young, ATL ($8,200) vs. MEM
Young went off for 36 points the last time these two teams met, and he stands to be in an even better spot if Ja Morant sits. Although Young's reduced salary results from some variance-ridden output, he's in a good spot to post a big number tonight.
Lonzo Ball, NOR ($7,800) @ BKN
The potential absence of Brandon Ingram puts every Pelicans starter on notice, and Ball is no exception. Although his production algorithm doesn't align with Ingram's, he'll be called upon to get the ball to whoever is hot, including himself. His adept scoring, ball-handling and recent production make him a chalky guard to target tonight.
Christian Wood, HOU ($7,700) vs. DAL
Although Kristaps Porzingis should be back on the court tonight, Wood consistently leads the frontcourt for Houston and logs significant minutes regardless of the outcome. He's also been forced to carry this team as the backcourt gets healthy. If Wall sits, Wood should be assigned a higher endorsement.
Michael Porter, DEN ($7,200) vs. SAS
This will be Porter's first tangle with the Spurs, as he was still sidelined when they last met. The Nuggets are heavily favored here, and Porter is often someone who sticks around in the lopsided contests. The team may need some added assistance if Murray doesn't play, and that should also work out in Porter's favor.
Also consider: Rudy Gobert, UTA ($8,100) @ PHO, Terry Rozier, CHA ($7,400) @ ORL, Jonas Valanciunas, MEM ($6,700) @ ATL
VALUE PLAYS
As usual, you'll the best value in the injury section, but here are some additional value plays to consider for tonight's slate.
P.J. Washington, CHA ($5,200) @ ORL
Although the game total isn't the best, Washington fits well when you consider the kind of production Gordon Hayward would create when he was in the lineup. Although Miles Bridges should excel in the scenario, he doesn't have the size and inside penetration that Washington lends to the offense. He's also going to find himself racking up boards against the Magic's errant shots.
James Ennis, ORL ($5,400) vs. CHA
Although I said to ignore the Magic, it's prudent to look at guys who could outperform their salary, and Ennis is definitely one of those guys. Unlike Khem Birch, who sees his tole usurped thanks to Wendell Carter, Ennis keeps chugging along as he fills the holes left at the trade deadline. He's unlikely to be a boom candidate, but he can definitely beat value at this salary point.
Dorian Finney-Smith, DAL ($4,500) @ HOU
When you're thinking top-notch fantasy production, Finney-Smith is not at the forefront of your mind, but his recent production has been solid, and DFS will be good for DFS against the porous Houston defense. He has the ability to pop and crush this salary.
