This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We'll end the week with a slim slate from FanDuel where the early Magic-Grizzlies matchup has been omitted to leave five games starting at 7:00 p.m. EST. Using RotoWire's trusted NBA projections, I'll be sending out my favorite selections for the day while capitalizing on some shorthanded situations resulting in some usage bumps and create winnable scenarios for specific squads. Let's begin by looking at what the Vegas numbers tell us.
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NBA Games Today
Sunday's projected totals are bunched together, so no game carries a distinct advantage. The Lakers could be without several key players. And despite Toronto's injuries, it might be a good idea to give them a lot of attention for their road matchup. While I gave a few mentions to Houston, we could go further into their depth chart if we believe in a blowout. Taking a closer look at Bulls-Nets is also favorable.
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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.
BKN Michael Porter (rest) - OUT
BKN Drake Powell (knee) - OUT
Terance Mann ($3,900) and Tyrese Martin ($3,700) will likely be promoted to the first unit in this scenario.
NOP Herbert Jones (ankle) - OUT
Saddiq Bey's ($5,500) return has come in handy during Jones' absence and is once again likely to start.
CHR Moussa Diabate (hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
It's unclear if Saturday's absence was due to the back-to-back, so there's a chance Diabate can go on Sunday. If he's out, Ryan Kalkbrenner ($4,700) would step into the starting center role.
POR Deni Avdija (back) - QUESTIONABLE
The Trail Blazers may have to wait a bit longer to get Avdija back, though the questionable tag is encouraging. Jerami Grant ($6,000) would be an effective pivot, yet he could sit in the back-to-back. The heavy lifting will probably fall to Donovan Clingan ($6,400) in the frontcourt.
TOR Immanuel Quickley (back) - QUESTIONABLE
TOR RJ Barrett (ankle) - OUT
Jamal Shead ($5,800) will log another start if Quickley can't make it while Ochai Agbaji ($3,700) should continue to fill in for Barrett.
LAL Luka Doncic (groin) - QUESTIONABLE
LAL Marcus Smart (undisclosed) - QUESTIONABLE
LAL Deandre Ayton (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
LAL Jaxson Hayes (hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
Smart's injury occurred during Saturday's loss and there's no word on its nature or severity. Gabe Vincent ($3,800) would likely step in for him or Doncic. And if both players miss out, extended minutes will be on the way for Dalton Knecht ($3,800). The center situation is cloudier, but Maxi Kleber ($3,500) will cover if the tags hold for Ayton and Hayes. Drew Timme ($3,500) could also be a darkhorse candidate if both centers can't go.
ELITE PLAYERS
Three enter with $10k-plus salaries on Sunday, though Jamal Murray ($10,300) could be the only one to play. Luka Doncic and Deni Avdija are both questionable, so you'd have to wait for their statuses closer to game time. Murray is a fine call if you're willing to spend up.
The $9k offerings are understandably low, but I like Scottie Barnes ($9,300) against the shorthanded Lakers. Amen Thompson ($8,800) is an excellent spot in the $8k range against the Pelicans and I would also play Zion Williamson ($8,400) on the other side of the matchup.
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EXPECTED CHALK AND VALUE PLAYS
Russell Westbrook, SAC ($7,600) vs. POR
Westbrook should have enough firepower to justify the slightly elevated salary. I like his chances better than Zach LaVine ($6,300), who's struggled to reach 5x value since returning.
Miles Bridges, CHR ($7,000) @ DEN
Diabate's potential absence should force Bridges to make more plays in the paint than usual. Though the Nuggets are holding up without Nikola Jokic, the scenario is still advantageous for the opposition.
Aaron Gordon, DEN ($6,900) vs. CHR
Gordon and Bridges could line up against each other, so it might be an either/or proposition for the duo. I hoped for slightly better results from Gordon during the Jokic absence, but he should see quality production moving forward as DaRon Holmes has fallen out of favor on the first unit.
Collin Murray-Boyles, TOR ($5,900) @ LAL
If Ayton and Hayes are out, Murray-Boyles could be up for a productive effort. The Lakers are in disarray and could be without Luka again, so I'm fine with most Raptors as LA limps through a back-to-back.
Jabari Smith, HOU ($5,800) vs. NOP
Smith hasn't been the picture of consistency of late, yet still offers some upside potential while Tari Eason is sidelined. He produced a 12/12 double-double during his last outing against the Pelicans, and that's enough to consider at this salary.
Jalen Smith, CHI ($5,300) vs. BKN
The Bulls and Nets will clash again after the latter pulled out a surprise win on Friday. Smith excelled in that matchup and appears to be 100 percent after missing two games. The upside is definitely there as he's been known to blow up in the right situation.
Also consider: Noah Clowney, BKN ($5,400) @ CHI, DeMar DeRozan, SAC ($7,300) vs. POR
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