This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
FanDuel is excluding Sunday's two early matchups to focus on an eight-game NBA slate that tips off at 6:00 p.m. EST. Using RotoWire's trusted projections, I'll navigate the player pool and single out my favorite evening selections.
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NBA Games Today
MIA/OKC lists the evening's highest projected total, and we singled out a few favorite Thunder targets. We didn't do much with Milwaukee or Minnesota, though I'd probably consider giving more attention to the Bucks if all of Denver's injury tags hold up. I faded the T-Wolves as the Spurs are now fully healthy and match up well against Minnesota's starting lineup. POR/NYK was another popular destination in my builds.
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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.
DEN Jamal Murray (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
DEN Spencer Jones (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
DEN Nikola Jokic (knee) - OUT
DEN Jonas Valanciunas (calf) - OUT
DEN Cameron Johnson (knee) - OUT
The Nuggets will continue to use DaRon Holmes ($3,900) at center. If Murray can't go, we'll see more of Jalen Pickett ($4,900). Aaron Gordon ($6,100) should also find his way back into the starting lineup.
ATL Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) - QUESTIONABLE
ATL Zaccharie Risacher (knee) - OUT
No real change here as Onyeka Okongwu ($7,400) will continue at center. Vit Krejci ($4,100) should get another start in place of Risacher.
HOU Tari Eason (ankle) - OUT
HOU Alperen Sengun (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Josh Okogie ($4,100) will start in this spot, but pivoting to Jabari Smith ($6,300) is my preferred play here.
Elite Players
We have seven players atop the Sunday pool for $10k-plus salaries. Their values are running neck-and-neck, though I'd probably prefer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,000) over the other three. Victor Wembanyama ($10,200) would be my next choice in what should be an interesting interior battle against the Timberwolves.
Among the six in the $9k tier, Devin Booker ($9,200) looks to be the best value at his salary and I'm a fan of Jalen Brunson ($9,100) facing Portland. We have no shortage of talent within the $8k range with 10 players. Amen Thompson ($8,700) is valued nicely against the Kings and I'll take Chet Holmgren's ($8,200) dual eligibility against Miami. Jalen Williams ($8,500) is also a decent call in the same matchup.
Also consider: Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK ($8,300) vs. POR
Expected Chalk and Mid-Range Targets
Russell Westbrook, SAC ($7,200) vs. HOU
Loading up on the Kings isn't the wisest move on Sunday, yet I'll select Westbrook and his potential for upside. He may struggle a bit on defense if he lines up opposite Amen Thompson, but the Rockets may opt to use him against Zach LaVine ($6,500). LaVine will be popular at a low rate, though the possibility of a matchup against Thompson makes Westbrook the preferred backcourt play.
Immanuel Quickley, TOR ($7,000) vs. PHI
The Raptors may get Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes back, though Quickley has taken on a more visible role amid RJ Barrett's recent absence. There's also a chance the team may give Ingram and Barnes the day off, which would boost Quickley into must-start status.
OG Anunoby, NYK ($6,600) vs. POR
I'll take most of the Knicks for Sunday, and Anunoby should be fine despite regressed totals over the past few games. The teams haven't met yet this season, so it'll be interesting to see where Deni Avdija lines up against New York.
Kyshawn George, WAS ($6,100) @ PHX
George only logged 24 minutes during his return, but I'll go with this salary with the hope he doesn't carry a minutes restriction against the Suns. We'll eventually see a Trae Young/George backcourt combo in the backcourt, though that's still a few games away.
Toumani Camara, POR ($6,000) @ NYK
The Trail Blazers have gradually leaned on Camara more. And despite the tough road matchup, the Knicks are a little thin at his position. New York will also have to contend with Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe where Camara's totals could be decent if he finds enough openings.
Also consider: DeMar DeRozan, SAC ($6,900) vs. HOU
Value Plays
Maxime Raynaud, SAC ($5,300) vs. HOU
Sengun may play Sunday, yet Tari Eason's absence will probably affect Houston's frontcourt bottom line. Raynaud has regularly been racking up double-doubles and I'll consider his salary despite the single eligibility.
De'Anthony Melton, GSW ($4,400) vs. ATL
Melton's increased output is certainly worth a look as he's been involved in some perfect lineups across the most popular sites the last few outing. There's no major lineup shift to attribute to the change, so his value is tied directly to Steve Kerr's rotation whims.
Also consider:
- C Mark Williams, PHX ($5,500)
- PF/C Draymond Green, GSW ($5,900)
- SG/SF Julian Champagnie, SAS ($5,200)
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