This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
NOTE: Today's featured slate consists of the four games tipping off at 7 PM ET. As a result, the following games are excluded from consideration in this article: LAC/NYK, CLE/MIL, DEN/IND, CHA/TOR
Sunday's featured slate offers us a few teams coming off zero rest as well as a few well-rested teams, so we may begin to see some load management situations pop up unexpectedly as the day progresses. The Celtics, Kings, Warriors and Pistons all played yesterday, and I think you can confidently say that you won't have to worry about the Kings sitting anyone. They need every game they can get to stay in the playoff hunt and are in a favorable situation against the Lakers.
The Celtics and Warriors are another story. While most of the sports-viewing world will focus on the NCAA Tournament, these two teams might elect to sit someone like Irving or Durant for rest purposes. Granted, we have no information to support that as of yet, but it is worth your time to get back to your builds before lineup lock.
Pace-wise, Vegas is suggesting we throw most of our love to the HOU/NOR and SAC/LAL games, and I'd be inclined to agree. I doubt you'll see James Harden ($11.500) or Chris Paul ($7.000) sit tonight, but there's definite blowout potential here. Nevertheless, Harden's three-game history against the Pelicans have netted him an average of over 65 DKFP, so I think using him as your anchor across all formats is still a stable way to approach most of your builds.
LeBron James (knee) PROBABLE: James' injury is a significant variable tonight due to the Lakers' elimination from playoff contention. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Lakers exercise caution with The King and limit his playing time. The team will be without Josh Hart (knee) tonight, so I expect Kyle Kuzma ($6,500) and Rajon Rondo ($6,200) to be popular pivots, with Alex Caruso ($4,100) emerging as a cheap value play.
Al Horford (knee) QUESTIONABLE: Horford could sit again tonight. Jayson Tatum might also sit after suffering a back injury in Saturday's game, so while it's possible that Gordon Hayward (concussion) might return tonight, I'd throw most of my focus to Marcus Morris ($5,300) and Jaylen Brown ($4,300).
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GS vs. DET ($9,000): After getting obliterated by Dallas last night, the Warriors will look to right the ship with Curry's return from a rest day. Coach Steve Kerr wisely pulled Durant early so he could also be ready for today's game, but a fully-rested Curry should be the focal point of the offense tonight. His single split with Detroit only produced a 40 DKFP result, but I think we'll see a slightly higher total from the All-Star as they try to come back from an embarrassing loss.
Elfrid Payton, NO vs. HOU ($7,600): Payton came back to earth against the Magic, but he only played 24 minutes in that matchup and was pulled once the game was out of reach. I expect Payton to get back to his winning ways tonight, His four-game average is excellent despite the Orlando game, as he's putting up a double-double with 14 points and 11.3 assists over that span.
Derrick White, SA at BOS ($5,200): Despite the long trip to The Garden, the Spurs are well-rested and are facing an unrested and injury-riddled Celtics squad. San Antonio is properly motivated tonight as they try to strengthen their foothold on the bottom of the playoff bracket. White has fared well against the Celtics and should provide a reasonably decent 30 DKFP floor and is a good candidate for 6x value.
Additional guards to consider: DeMar DeRozan, SA at BOS ($7,800), Reggie Jackson, DET at GS ($4,900)
FORWARDS
I've already mentioned the potential for Kyle Kuzma and the lower-priced Jaylen Brown, and I still think they are two of the best options at this position tonight, but here are three more targets that are worth considering.
Anthony Davis, NO vs. HOU ($7,000): Despite the limitation on his playing time, the Brow has had almost a week off, and at this price, I think he'll have a fairly easy time meeting value in limited action. I like the possibility of low ownership here as players will continue to shy away from Davis, and it's likely that he'll want to flash some of his skills against Harden and the Rockets.
Marvin Bagley, SAC at LAL ($6,900): This is purely a gut call, but Nemjana Bjelica got more usage than he was used to last night while Bagley only saw 29 minutes off the bench. It turned out to be a winning formula against the Suns, so while I can see the logic in running with Bjelica at a lower price. I still like Bagley's potential in this back-to-back. Neither player has a great history against the Lakers, but with James limited, there is room to exploit the lane at the Staples Center.
Eric Gordon, HOU at NO ($5,100): This is also more of a gut call, but at this point in the season you need to be a little predictive of load management with the playoff contenders. The Rockets should have no problem against New Orleans tonight, which could prompt an early exit from Harden or Paul. Despite a lackluster series of games, I like Gordon as a GPP play in the expectation that he'll see a lot of garbage time.
Additional forwards to consider: Blake Griffin, DET at GS ($7,900), Harrison Barnes ($5,300) in a mini-revenge game against the Lakers.
CENTERS
DeMarcus Cousins, GS vs. DET ($7,300): Were it not for the beatdown the Warriors received against Dallas, I'd be inclined to stay away from Cousins on the off-chance that he'd end up as a rest-day candidate, but I think the Warriors will try to get back on the playoff track and fire all cylinders against Detroit tonight. Andre Drummond always sees a bit of regression in back-to-backs and played almost the entire game on Saturday, so Cousins should have plenty of opportunities under the basket.
JaVale McGee, LAL vs. SAC ($5,800): McGee is coming off a career night against the Nets where he exploded for 20 rebounds. He's facing another team that has suffered some recent struggles under the basket, as Willie Cauley-Stein hit a rough patch against the Suns last night. While Cauley-Stein has a decent history against the Lakers, you have to run with McGee based on the opportunities he'll have in the interior, especially if James sits.
