NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Lineup Strategy for Sunday, February 5

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Published on February 5, 2023

FanDuel's main slate will exclude Saturday's earlier games and starts at 5:00 p.m. EST with the Cavs on the road to take on the Pacers.

SLATE OVERVIEW

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There isn't much of a differential in projected totals among the five available games, but I expect the Sixers-Knicks to give us a little more firepower than expected. I also think we'll see a couple of blue-chip performances in the Cavs-Pacers matchup.

INJURIES

For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries on today's slate. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment for long-term and ongoing injury scenarios.

PHI Joel Embiid (foot) - QUESTIONABLE

Although Embiid has still shown up despite his injury tag, it would be wise to keep an eye on his status as an absence would have a negative impact on Philly's other fantasy standouts.

NYK Mitchell Robinson (thumb) - OUT

Julius Randle ($9,100) is the player you want to target in this spot, but Georges Niang ($4,300) is seeing the best bump in production and works as a budget option.

MEM Ja Morant (wrist) - QUESTIONABLE

MEM Jaren Jackson (thigh) - QUESTIONABLE

MEM Steven Adams (knee) - OUT

I'll continue to use Brandon Clarke ($5,800) for Adams. Losing Jackson would merit further exposure for Clarke and Santi Aldama ($4,300). Tyus Jones ($5,800) would start if Morant is out.

SAC De'Aaron Fox (personal) - OUT

This is a tricky spot as Fox's first absence didn't have the expected result. I think Davion Mitchell ($3,800) could still be fine. But if you're looking for a more reliable boost, Kevin Huerter ($5,700) and Malik Monk ($5,500) represent better options.

NOR Jonas Valanciunas (knee) - QUESTIONABLE

Valanciunas will get an MRI before game time to determine the extent of his injury. If he sits, Larry Nance ($4,900) is worth a look.

ELITE PLAYERS

With Morant and Embiid holding injury tags, Nikola Jokic ($11,600) sits alone as the only guaranteed option in the five-figure range. I would certainly consider him with or without Rudy Gobert, who continues to carry a questionable designation. Domantas Sabonis ($9,600) is a significant discount off Jokic, which should make him the more popular add while also being eligible at two positions.

It's mostly a gut instinct over metrics, but I believe Donovan Mitchell ($8,200) will come back from Thursday's ejection ready to inflict some pain on the Pacers. He's met Indiana twice and laid down the hammer on them both times, so I see no reason to expect a different result. The other potential standout for me is Pascal Siakam ($8,600), and his gift of dual eligibility allows us to avoid a tough decision at the center position.

Also consider: Jamal Murray, DEN ($8,3000) @ MIN

EXPECTED CHALK AND OTHER TARGETS

Desmond Bane, MEM ($7,000) vs. TOR

You'll see a big exposure spike for Bane if Morant is a scratch, but I think his salary warrants a look either way. While a recent injury has been an issue, the upside for Bane and pending news about Morant puts him in the spotlight as a potential add.

Tobias Harris, PHI ($6,100) @ NYK

The Knicks are a bit softer up front without Robinson. And despite my expectation Embiid will take the court, I still like Harris for an above-average number that could beat 5x salary value. He enjoyed a 47-FDFP performance against New York back in November, so the potential is definitely there.

Due to the back-to-back and travel day, I'm not sure Jalen Brunson ($7,900) will take the court for the Knicks, but he looked stellar in his return from injury. If the team elects to sit him, a pivot to RJ Barrett ($6,600) is fine with me.

Also consider: Precious Achiuwa, TOR ($6,400) @ MEM

VALUE PLAYS

I'm fairly confident we covered the best values of the night in our injury section, and the affordability of our other endorsements will allow you to field a roster with relative ease. Here's a list of some other budget plays on the slate:

SF Naji Marshall, NOR ($4,700) vs. SAC

PG/SG Andrew Nembhard, IND ($4,700) vs. CLE

SF/PF Jaden McDaniels, MIN ($5,300) vs. DEN

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.