This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Our nine-game slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET, and we have a few game-time calls to pay attention to as we near lock
SLATE OVERVIEW
IND (-4.5) vs. ORL O/U: 221.5
PHI (-9.5) vs. WAS O/U: 217.5
BOS (-4.5) vs. CHA O/U: 207.5
MEM (-3.5) @ NYK O/U: 217
CLE (-2.5) @ HOU O/U: 220.5
DAL (-11.5) vs. OKC O/U: 209.5
BKN (-4) @ SAC O/U: 230.5
UTA (-2) vs. DEN O/U: 228
LAL (-3) vs. POR O/U: 222
I like the Kings better than the Nets in the slate's highest projected totals. I only highlighted one player for Sacramento, but you should certainly give the rest of their starting lineup a look. There's also a good bit of value available for Indiana and Utah tonight. At my own peril, I'm taking a pass on most Grizzlies and Knicks tonight, and I'm also not exceptionally high on the Celtics, who are in a pace-down situation.
INJURIES
IND Domantas Sabonis (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
IND Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) - OUT
IND Myles Turner (foot) - OUT
IND Goga Bitadze (foot) - OUT
Indiana's frontcourt is in dire straits against Orlando. Isaiah Jackson ($6,000) figures to have a significant impact.
WAS Bradley Beal (wrist)
Aaron Holiday ($3,500) should continue to start in Beal's absence.
CHA Gordon Hayward (conditioning) -OUT
CHA Kelly Oubre (ankle) - PROBABLE
Oubre said he is good to go, so we will trust that claim for now. Otherwise, trust the starters here.
MEM Steven Adams (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
If Adams can't go, we could see more run from Xavier Tillman ($3,500), but a more likely scenario is a lineup shift from Jaren Jackson ($8,000) and Brandon Clarke ($5,100), creating a size advantage for the Knicks.
CLE Darius Garland (back) - OUT
Rajon Rondo ($4,200) and Dylan Windler ($3,500) are your top two guard pivots in this spot.
OKC Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) - OUT
Continue to look to Josh Giddey ($6,000) and Luguentz Dort ($5,600) as the best production opportunities for the Thunder.
DAL Kristaps Porzingis (knee) - OUT
As is often the case in a Porzingis absence, Maxi Kleber ($4,800) is the best pivot option for Dallas.
BRK LaMarcus Aldridge (knee) - OUT
Nicolas Claxton ($4,100) will get the start, but I'd avoid this situation due to the back-to-back script in play.
SAC De'Aaron Fox (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
SAC Marvin Bagley (ankle) - OUT
The absorption of this duo's minutes is spread throughout the roster, so although there are some values here, no particular player stands out as a value pivot.
UTA Rudy Gobert (calf) - OUT
UTA Donovan Mitchell (concussion) - OUT
UTA Hassan Whiteside (back) - QUESTIONABLE
UTA Joe Ingles (knee) - OUT FOR SEASON
Whiteside's status will need to be monitored because he could be in for a big game if he plays. We'll single out other Jazz players later in the article.
LAL LeBron James (knee) - DOUBTFUL
Assuming Malik Monk ($6,600) can play, he remains LeBron's best pivot.
ELITE PLAYERS
There are no real surprises at the top, but I am placing a good bit of exposure on a potentially good night out of the Lakers against Portland. As a result, Anthony Davis ($9,600) and Russell Westbrook ($8,500) emerge as favorite elites. There's certainly nothing wrong with Nikola Jokic ($11,400) at the top against a Gobert-less Utah squad, and I also like Luka Doncic ($11,200), who usually excels when Porzingis is sidelined. I'm inclined to put on the brakes with James Harden ($10,500) and his lofty salary on the back-to-back, but it's hard to find a way around Joel Embiid ($10,900). Playing the opposing center against the Wizards is never a terrible idea, and that's exactly where he's at tonight.
Also consider: Kyle Kuzma, WAS ($8,200) @ PHI
EXPECTED CHALK AND CORE TARGETS
Caris LeVert, IND ($7,600) vs. ORL
It's fortunate for the Pacers that one of their opponents during their injury malaise is Orlando, but the team is so short-handed, they shouldn't sleep on the Magic. LeVert will be critical to ensuring a win here, and he's probably the main reason they are still favored in this contest. His scoring has been a bit rocky, but he's a consistent contributor of rebounds and assists, especially amid Malcolm Brogdon's absence.
Tyrese Haliburton, SAC ($7,600) vs. BKN
The Kings have the Nets on a road back-to-back, and while Kyrie Irving adds a better defensive element to Brooklyn in the backcourt, they still aren't all that strong against opposing guards. Haliburton has shown 60-FP potential with Fox out, and it would be wise to make room for him in this matchup. The upside is definitely there against this salary, and the Kings have a lot of talent for Brooklyn to defend. Haliburton should get his share of looks tonight.
Evan Mobley, CLE ($6,900) @ HOU
I like Mobley better than Jarrett Allen tonight, as Allen will have his hands full with Christian Wood, whose defense is showing signs of improvement. Mobley is in a much better spot and has a decent size advantage. While he'll be suitable for some rebounds, he'll be a great pick if his mid-range shooting volume stays high.
Also consider: Terry Rozier, CHA ($6,800) @ BOS
VALUE PLAYS
My favorite values from the injury section are Josh Giddey and Isaiah Jackson.
Spencer Dinwiddie, WAS ($5,900) @ PHI
This is an excellent salary for Dinwiddie, who is poised for more production with Bradey Beal out. Decent secondary numbers can often offset a variance-ridden scoring total, but his volume and overall usage will be up in this matchup. Boston is tough against opposing backcourts, and I'd probably think twice about Dinwiddie if he were around $800 more expensive, but he has a great shot at meeting value at his current number.
Jordan Clarkson, UTA ($5,700) vs. DEN
Clarkson is a natural call here, but I also will give more exposure to Bojan Bogdanovic ($5,200). The Jazz will feel Joe Ingles' absence down the stretch, and it will be up to Clarkson and Bojan to deliver. Clarkson is obviously a more stable play without Mitchell in the lineup, but both are suitable plays.
Cedi Osman, CLE ($4,400) @ HOU
To be clear, I am not especially high on Osman in a vacuum, but this salary is entirely too low relative to his potential production. Darius Garland's absence should play a part in increased production tonight, as you never know what version of Rajon Rondo will show up. It may be up to Osman to create some off-the-ball opportunities for himself while also doing a bit more ball distribution. His 12 assists amid the Garland absence in his last game is evidence of that potential.
