This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
FanDuel has opted to exclude three late games, leaving us with a thin five-game slate for our endorsements. Using RotoWire's trusted NBA projections, I'll work through a shallow player pool that is remarkably free from injuries. We usually glean our best value from injury fill-ins, so we'll need to take on a bit more risk with lower-priced regulars who have generated recent upside. Per usual, I recommend focusing more on cash-game options on shallow slates, as GPPs are much more difficult with the slimmer margin of error.
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NBA Games Today
Shallow slates make it challenging to fade any particular game, but we were able to take Hornets and Nets off the board for the evening. The Knicks and Pistons are my favorite sources of production, with Cleveland not far behind.
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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 Wednesday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
CLE Darius Garland (toe) - OUT
Jaylon Tyson ($5,900) has secured the backup role during Garland's absence.
NOP Herbert Jones (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Jones is nearing a return, but Saddiq Bey's ($5,300) usage will be high again if Jones is held out of another game.
ATL Zaccharie Risacher (knee) - OUT
ATL Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) - OUT
CJ McCollum ($6,000) is coming off the bench, and it's Corey Kispert ($3,800) who has found his way into the lineup before his former Washington teammate. Both could have an impact on the current scenario.
Santi Aldama (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
An Aldama absence would move Jaren Jackson ($7,400) to the four and install Jock Landale ($5,000) as the starting center.
Elite Players
The shallow player pool is offering only two players above the $10k threshold. Cade Cunningham ($10,600) and Jalen Johnson ($10,400) can both exceed 5x value at these salaries, as they face favorable matchups in winnable games. I would lean more toward Johnson with Aldama out of the picture for Memphis, but Cunningham shouldn't be ruled out.
Only three players show up in the $9k range, and Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,200) stands out as the best value of the trio in a bridge-and-tunnel matchup against the Nets. The $8k tier is more extensive with eight options, and Evan Mobley ($8,400) is a great (and likely popular) option against the Hornets. I can also keep Zion Williamson in mind at $8,100.
Expected Chalk and Value Plays
Ja Morant, MEM ($7,900) vs. ATL
Morant missed the team's only game against Atlanta this season, and the Grizzlies will want him to make an appearance. The standout guard popped for 50 FDFPs with only 28 minutes on the floor in his last outing, so a slight minute restriction may not matter. It's imperative to check on Morant's status before tipoff, but he could be a nice contrarian guard option if he plays.
OG Anunoby, NYK ($6,800) vs. BKN
The Knicks' inexplicable skid is hard to ignore, but they're heavy favorites in this matchup. Anunoby also hung a solid number on the Nets back in November. You can't go wrong with Towns or Jalen Brunson ($8,700), but Anunoby is the value option in the starting lineup.
Ausar Thompson, DET ($6,000) @ NOP
The Pistons gave Thompson 28 minutes in the last game, so the recent heel injury is less of a concern. Overall, it's a solid matchup for most Pistons tonight, but I like Thompson's salary below the median.
Tobias Harris, DET ($5,400) @ NOP
I'll continue my Detroit endorsements and go with Harris' head-scratching salary. The team has been careful with his minutes, but his excellent 25 points against the Celtics on Monday are enough to convince me. It's the start of a road trip, but Harris likely got enough rest to make another 30-minute performance.
Neemias Queta, BOS ($5,300) vs. IND
Queta had one of his best showings of the season against the Pacers, and he can win the battle against Jay Huff ($4,900) again in this matchup. I haven't called Queta's number often this season, but his floor hovers around the 30-FDFP range, and the recent data is enough to fill the center spot with the Celtics. We have talented dual-eligibility big men like Towns and Jaren Jackson to use, so a dart throw at center isn't a bad call.
De'Andre Hunter, CLE ($4,800) @ CHA
I can understand the desire to reach higher with the Cavs, but it's hard to ignore Hunter's value-beating numbers over the past few games. A good night from Jaylon Tyson could hold Hunter back, but Hunter can pop on any given night and logged an excellent number against a tough Oklahoma City squad in his last game.
Jordan Poole, NOP ($4,400) vs. DET
Poole's low salary and consistent production have made him one of the best bargain adds out there this season, and although he's locked into the second unit, his minutes have been remarkably consistent. He usually enters the game early and steals regular minutes from the starters, and a hot hand will keep him on the floor.
