This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
FanDuel will exclude the two early matchups and offer eight games for Sunday's NBA DFS slate. Using RotoWire's trusted NBA projections, we'll try to identify favorite selections for FanDuel's vast array of contests. The action begins with an atypical 6:00 p.m. EST tipoff, so be sure to get your rosters in on time!
Try our FanDuel NBA Lineup Optimizer to discover more expert recommendations, customize the player pool, set exposure percentage and mass-enter DFS lineups.
NBA Games Today
As you'll see below, I'm all over the Knicks and Raptors. Heat-Bulls projects the highest total, though injury uncertainty on both sides kept them off my list. If you have the time, reviewing those starting lineups would be worthwhile.
I've been a fan of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden of late, but the slow expected pace against the Suns will likely keep them out of my Sunday builds.
NBA Injuries Today
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.
CHI Jalen Smith (calf) - QUESTIONABLE
CHI Josh Giddey (hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
Several players took a seat during the front end of the back-to-back, but Smith and Giddey are the only one at risk of missing an additional game. It's best to wait until the starting lineup locks before making selections from the Bulls.
MIA Davion Mitchell (shoulder) - OUT
MIA Norman Powell (personal) - QUESTIONABLE
MIA Tyler Herro (ribs) - QUESTIONABLE
I ranked these players according to their potential for missing out. If the backcourt absences hold, Kasparas Jakucionis ($3,800) and Myron Gardner ($3,800) would be candidates to start. And as per usual, Jaime Jaquez ($6,500) will also be impactful off the bench.
SAC Russell Westbrook (foot) - QUESTIONABLE
SAC Malik Monk (heel) - QUESTIONABLE
With Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis out of town, the Kings would be shorthanded in the backcourt if Westbrook and/or Monk are unable to play. Nique Clifford ($3,900) would be the primary beneficiary if both can't go.
WAS Alex Sarr (calf) - QUESTIONABLE
Sarr may be able to play through the injury. And if he's sidelined, there will be increased usage for Marvin Bagley ($4,400).
UTA Keyonte George (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
UTA Jusuf Nurkic (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
While both could make a return, we'd see more from Isaiah Collier ($5,900) for George and Kyle Filipowski ($5,900) for Nurkic if the tags hold up.
PHX Devin Booker (ankle) - OUT
PHX Jalen Green (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
While it would be great news for the Suns if Green is available, it looked like a hard fall on his hip on Friday. He'd likely be on a minute restriction if active, so Collin Gillespie ($6,200) and Grayson Allen ($6,600) remain safe bets for backcourt starting roles.
CLE Darius Garland (toe) - OUT
CLE Evan Mobley (calf) - OUT
Sam Merrill ($4,000) and Jaylon Tyson ($6,200) represents your best pivots here. I don't have faith in Dean Wade as Mobley's placeholder, but Nae'Qwan Tomlin ($4,200) has shown some potential.
POR Jrue Holiday (personal) - OUT
POR Deni Avdija (back) - QUESTIONABLE
Holiday and Avidja are the most notable absences among a lengthy Portland injury list. Caleb Love ($5,600) and Jerami Grant ($5,400) are my preferred pivots.
OKC Jalen Williams (hamstring) - OUT
OKC Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) - OUT
OKC Alex Caruso (thigh) - OUT
Aaron Wiggins ($5,000) will continue to start with several other bargain OKC second-unit options to consider.
Elite Players
We have four players at the top of the player pool, each with five-figure salaries. Cade Cunningham ($10,200) faces the best matchup against Brooklyn, yet he's been day-to-day with a hip issue. It would be close between Cunningham and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,300) for my favorite elite, but I'm comfortable omitting Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic due to string matchups and inflated salaries.
Scottie Barnes ($9,100) is my favorite option in the $9k range. At the $8k level, Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,600) would be my first player off the board, followed closely by Bam Adebayo ($8,300) and Domantas Sabonis ($8,000).
Also consider: Jalen Brunson, NYK ($8,700) vs. LAL
Visit RotoWire's NBA Daily Starting Lineups and NBA News for up-to-the-minute information!
Expected Chalk and Value Plays
Brandon Ingram, TOR ($7,900) vs. UTA
Ingram continues to pop with superior totals, and he's one of three Raptors I can easily get behind on Sunday. The salary may seem high, yet he's totaled two consecutive efforts over 44 FDFPs and offers an excellent floor close to 5x value. If the matchup flows Ingram's way, he could be in store for a terrific total. I also have no issue with a Toronto stack.
Shaedon Sharpe, POR ($7,600) vs. CLE
Sharpe hit for a 20/9/5/2 line in his only meeting against Cleveland, and this time will have the advantage of being at home. He's essential to Portland's success with Avdija out, and I expect a similar effort from him Sunday. Even if Avidja can go, his minutes would likely be limited.
OG Anunoby, NYK ($6,800) vs. LAL
I'll go back to the well with the Knicks. I'm also fine with a NY stack on the road against the Lakers, and it's hard to argue against Anunoby's recent performances. He flashed his defensive mettle with six steals against a tough Toronto team a few days ago and I think he sets up well against a Lakers squad that relies too much on Luka Doncic and LeBron James to stay competitive.
Jarrett Allen, CLE ($6,500) @ POR
Conventional wisdom suggests Allen's numbers should spike with Mobley out, but his numbers haven't responded as expected during his teammate's absence. Perhaps De'Andre Hunter's departure could open up some additional opportunities for Allen, who can stretch the floor effectively and provide support further out.
RJ Barrett, TOR ($6,000) vs. UTA
We finally saw a minute increase from Barrett on Friday where he came very close to 5x value relative to present salary. If he can find 30-plus minutes again, he'll have an excellent chance to surpass his last total against the Jazz.
Mark Williams, PHX ($5,700) vs. LAC
Williams didn't make my first pass. But after reviewing the salary again, I drilled down to see how Williams and Ivica Zubac fared against each other. While it's essentially a draw, you're getting a much better value from Williams and a dominant interior performance may be what the doctor ordered as they try to keep up with the league's best offensive duo.
Tobias Harris, DET ($5,600) vs. BKN
While Harris offers no guarantees, he gets a favorable matchup against Brooklyn to go long with a salary that doesn't require much to meet value. His totals have bounced around, yet he's exceeded 30 FDFPs from two of his last four appearances. Harris didn't appear the last time these teams met, so he'll be an unknown quantity for the opposition.
Use our FanDuel NBA Lineup Optimizer to discover more expert recommendations, customize the player pool, set exposure percentage and mass-enter DFS lineups.
