This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
FanDuel has elected to omit the two earlier games, leaving us with four on the slate starting at 6:00 p.m. EST. I'll utilize our world-class NBA projections and RotoWire's customizable optimizer to craft a list of top selections from the shallow player pool.
SLATE OVERVIEW
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The MEM/WAS game yields the highest total, and we've provided several options from there. The nightcap between the Lakers and Kings should also be intriguing to watch. JJ Redick gave his team a tongue-lashing after the lackluster showing against Houston, so it'll be interesting to see how they respond in a matchup they're expected to win.
I recommend concentrating on head-to-heads and 50/50s on a slate this small as you need to be exactly right with your picks to hit a GPP. I also use it as a bankroll-building exercise.
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 for Sunday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
WAS Kyshawn George (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
Justin Champagnie ($4,400) would be in line for more minutes if George's injury tag holds.
LAC Ivica Zubac (ankle) - OUT
Brook Lopez ($4,900) will cover the five in Zubac's absence, though a boost from John Collins ($6,100) could yield a more significant impact.
SAC Zach LaVine (ankle) - OUT
SAC Keegan Murray (calf) - OUT
Keon Ellis ($4,300) will start in this scenario, but we've also seen a boost from Nique Clifford ($4,200). The long-term center absences (Sabonis, Eubanks) are still in play.
LAL Austin Reaves (calf) - OUT
This is a huge loss for the Lakers. They may try several different tactics to account for his absence, with Marcus Smart ($5,000) at the top of the list. Jake LaRavia ($4,700) will also get more action.
ELITE PLAYERS
Luka Doncic ($12,200) and Cade Cunningham ($10,800) are the only two players with five-figure salaries in the shallow player pool. With only four games, the duo represents one-fourth of the starting point guards available so they immediately come to the forefront out of necessity. You could proclaim the position as your value avenue and write them off, or you can take either one and seek value elsewhere. I don't fault either path, yet I'm a bit leery of going with Doncic given the team's recent struggles. I think he might be one of the unmotivated players that Redick refused to mention in his press conference, so his buy-in against the Kings tips the scales more in his favor.
There are four in the $9k range, and Kawhi Leonard ($9,500) will be the preferred route. Deni Avdija ($9,700) also holds value, but the matchup against the Celtics isn't ideal. We only have two between $8,000-$8,900, where I'd be more inclined to look at Russell Westbrook ($8,200) over LeBron James ($8,900) due to the cost decrease - though James will do all he can to absorb Reaves' gap in production.
Also consider: James Harden, LAC ($9,300) vs. DET
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EXPECTED CHALK AND VALUE PLAYS
Derrick White, BOS ($7,700) @ POR
You could view White's salary as too expensive, and I wouldn't disagree. However, it's hard to fade his recent production. I'm going to use the White mention to illuminate an interesting revenge situation that would affect Payton Pritchard more. Anfernee Simons ($4,200) will get his first crack against his former team while the Celtics may use Simons' knowledge to their advantage. It's a volatile wrinkle that also holds some interest, though White is the more dependable play.
Santi Aldama, MEM ($6,600) @ WAS
I suppose some low totals earlier in December justify the lower salary, but the upside potential is too great especially against the Wizards. I'm not opposed to Jaren Jackson ($7,800) in this spot, yet Aldama's salary is way more alluring. I wouldn't stack the pair, though the slate size makes the load more viable.
Donovan Clingan, POR ($6,400) vs. BOS
The Celtics travel from Indiana to Portland for this matchup after decimating the Pacers with 140 points. I anticipate a bit of a hangover, and I'll gladly take Clingan over Neemias Queta. Jaylen Brown will be occupied with Deni Avdija while Clingan should be able to win the battle under the basket and find other midrange openings, especially if Avdija is forced to give the ball to other playmakers.
CJ McCollum, WAS ($6,200) vs. MEM
McCollum is about the level we're thinking of if you choose to fade the elite guards at the top. He offers a steady floor while Ja Morant ($,7,700) has just returned from an extended absence. McCollum's salary is too high on the other end of this matchup, which further dilutes the position. Memphis seems to be holding up fine despite numerous injuries on the roster, though he should be able to find some success here.
Dennis Schroder, SAC ($5,700) @ LAL
Don't stack Westbrook and Schroder, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Schroder a bit more in this matchup. Zach LaVine's absence has left the Kings without a bona fide scorer to complement DeMar DeRozan ($7,500), who is slightly too high for me on Sunday. I have no issue with adding him, but we need players at Schroder's salary point to alleviate cap concerns.
Cedric Coward, MEM ($5,600) @ WAS
Our SF slots need some assistance and I'm a fan of Coward's salary, which has lowered after a heel injury briefly sidelined him. He doesn't need to do much to surpass 5x value and has beaten that threshold with ease several times before being out. Coward wasn't able to do much when he came back, but should be much closer to 100 percent after a day off.
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