This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
There are a couple of intriguing aspects to tonight's slate. One is the fact it's moderately sized for a Friday with only seven games. The second is there are several big names with equally sizable question marks attached to their health, helping to keep projected totals off the board for three of those contests as of early Friday morning. And the four totals that have been released follow an early-season trend of reduced scoring expectations by oddsmakers. It all adds up to what should be an interesting night of DFS lineup construction that we'll aim to simplify.
Slate Overview
Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors (O/U: 211.0 points)
Indiana Pacers at Brooklyn Nets (O/U: 223.5 points)
Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat (O/U: OTB)
Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans (O/U: 220.0 points)
Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers (O/U: 223.0 points)
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets (O/U: OTB)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers (O/U: OTB)
As just mentioned, the projected totals are downright depressing compared to those frequently seen in recent seasons. There's been a combination of better defense and sluggish offense – with a symbiotic relationship naturally existing to a degree – over the first week-plus of the new campaign. Four teams are still allowing an average of under 100 points per game, and 12 clock in at under 106.0 points.
That being said, there's certainly potential for strong individual performances in the Pacers-Nets and Clippers-Blazers contests with the two highest totals on the board, and the same holds true for a Kings-Pelicans tilt featuring clubs currently ranked right at the midpoint (New Orleans) and in the bottom half of the league (Sacramento) in PPG allowed. It's also worth noting the Lakers are surprisingly giving up an NBA-high 119.6 points and could be even more vulnerable if LeBron James and Anthony Davis sit out with their respective ankle and knee injuries, although the latter is listed as probable to play.
Injury Situations to Monitor
NOTE: Injury reporting is especially fluid in the NBA, where the status of multiple players can change during the course of a day. Therefore, although the following is a foundation for the latest injury report as of the time the article is written, check back throughout the course of the day with RotoWire for the latest news regarding the status of all players on that night's slate.
Anthony Davis, LAL (knee)/ Status: PROBABLE
As just alluded to, Davis is expected to suit up after playing through his knee issue Wednesday and logging 37 minutes versus the Thunder. Davis could see a bump in usage if fellow star LeBron James sits again with his ankle injury.
LeBron James, LAL (ankle)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
James has missed the last two with right ankle soreness. Were he to rest for a third straight, the likes of Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis would be in for big boosts in usage while Malik Monk would continue to log heavy minutes.
Nikola Jokic, DEN (knee)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Jokic exited Tuesday against the Jazz with his knee injury and remains iffy for tonight after failing to practice Thursday. Jeff Green and JaMychal Green could see lots of minutes in his place while the usage of the remaining healthy members of the first unit would naturally see a signifcant increase.
Kyrie Irving, BKN (team decision)/ Status: OUT
Irving will remain out due to the ongoing vaccination dispute between him and the Nets.
Malcolm Brogdon, IND (hamstring)/ Status: OUT
Brogdon's absence will likely earn T.J. McConnell a spot start at point guard while Brad Wanamaker should also see a bump in minutes off the bench. Meanwhile, the usage of the remaining members of the starting five - particularly that of Chris Duarte and Domantas Sabonis - should receive a boost.
Bam Adebayo, MIA (knee)/ Status: PROBABLE
Adebayo is fully expected to go against the Hornets and fill his usual role.
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL (back)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Porzingis will reportedly be reevaluated during the day Friday to determine his status. The big man sat out Thursday versus the Spurs, which led to Reggie Bullock entering the starting lineup.
Caris LeVert, IND (back)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
LeVert has missed the first five games with a stress fracture, but could make his debut tonight. Impressive rookie Chris Duarte would draw another start at shooting guard should LeVert sit again, but the latter could be thrust into a solid role right from the jump if he does make it considering Malcolm Brogdon will miss with a hamstring injury.
Other notable injuries:
Pascal Siakam, TOR (shoulder)/ Status: OUT
Zion Williamson, NOP (foot)/ Status: OUT
Marcus Morris, LAC (knee)/ Status: OUT
Kyle Lowry, TOR (elbow)/ Status: PROBABLE
Norman Powell, POR (knee)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Terry Rozier, CHA (ankle)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Nicolas Claxton, BRO (illness)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Josh Hart, NOP (quadriceps)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
P.J. Washington, CHA (knee)/ Status: DOUBTFUL
Wayne Ellington, LAL (hamstring)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Rajon Rondo, LAL (ankle)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Kendrick Nunn, LAL (knee)/ Status: OUT
Elite Players
We have six players with five-figure salaries on Friday's slate – Nikola Jokic ($11,100), Kevin Durant ($10,900), Luka Doncic ($10,700); Anthony Davis ($10,600), Paul George ($10,100); LeBron James ($10,000).
As already alluded to, Jokic's status will have to be carefully monitored as there appears to be a better-than-average chance the big man is forced to sit after missing practice Thursday. If available, he would be facing a Dallas team he posted 49.3 and 60.2 FD points against in two of three matchups last season.
Durant will continue in an ultra-high-usage role while working alongside a struggling James Harden and not much else in terms of reliable offensive contributors. KD is already averaging 52.9 FD points with at least 18 shot attempts in each contest, and he'll face a Pacers lineup allowing the third-most points per game (117.2).
Doncic is averaging a solid 46 FD points, a figure that would be spectacular for many players but about what's expected - if not a bit less - for a player of Luka's status. He's eclipsed 50 FD points in two outings, but has been below 40 in two others to give him a bit more early volatility than usual.
As mentioned earlier, Davis is expected to take the floor with his probable designation and could be in for another busy night if LeBron James sits out. Davis' usage rate bumps up from 29.5 percent with James on the floor to 33.3 percent without, and is also averaging 54.4 FD points per 36 minutes in the latter scenario.
George continues to do the heavy lifting for the Clippers without Kawhi Leonard (knee) and has posted a 31.8 percent usage rate while averaging 53.2 FD points per 36 minutes without his teammate. The opposing Trail Blazers allowed George 48.5 to 53.7 FD points the three times they met last season.
Finally, James could be set to miss his second straight and will need to be monitored throughout the day as a result.
Expected Chalk
In addition to the players just discussed, other likely chalk plays include:
James Harden, BRO ($9,800)
Harden's salary has finally dropped below five figures as a result of his lackluster start to the year, one that's seen him averaging "only" 39 FD points through his first five games. The Beard is still struggling with an abysmal 35.9 percent shooting and both his rebounds and assists are also under normal standards, but name value should still keep him popular in a favorable matchup.
Russell Westbrook, LAL ($9,400)
Westbrook has seen a $1K salary hike since Wednesday as a result of his triple-double against the Thunder and in delayed response to his 63 FD points against the Spurs on Tuesday. He should certainly be in plenty of lineups again tonight, especially if LeBron James (ankle) sits.
Domantas Sabonis, IND ($9,300)
Sabonis is averaging 43.2 FD points, and should be particularly popular with Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) sidelined despite posting just 28.1 against the Raptors his last time out.
Jimmy Butler, MIA ($9,200)
Butler has been over 56 FD points in each of his last two outings and receives a favorable matchup against a Hornets squad allowing the fourth-most points per game (116.0) and averaging the third-most possessions per contest (108.0).
Damian Lillard, POR ($8,400)
Lillard should be popular in no small part due to his salary, which is significantly lower than what one would typically expect for the star point guard. Dame hasn't been in top form yet this season due to a 33.3 percent success rate from the floor, but his work as a facilitator has helped him to tallies of 45.7 and 39.6 FD points in two of four.
Other Likely Chalk Play: Michael Porter, DEN ($6,800)
Key Values
Buddy Hield, SAC at NO ($5,900)
Hield has opened the season on fire from distance with a 44.2 percent success rate from three-point range, and he's done it while notably taking a career-high 10.8 shots per game from behind the arc. The veteran wing is coming off having put up 41.5 FD points against the Suns on Wednesday and also has produced a pair of tallies over 27 in his first four contests. Hield will get a crack at his original Pelicans squad, one that's allowing the sixth-highest offensive efficiency (43.2 percent) to opposing bench players along with 38.2 percent three-point shooting at home.
Will Barton, DEN vs. DAL ($5,800)
As noted, Nikola Jokic could miss tonight due to a knee injury, a development that would thrust Barton into a bigger offensive role. The veteran wing is already averaging 31.3 FD points on the strength of career-best 51.9 percent shooting, including 42.1 percent from three-point range. He's also putting in solid work in rebounds and assists out of his starting two-guard role, and will be in a potentially good spot to continue his strong performances against a Dallas squad giving up 40.0 percent shooting from behind the arc to two-guards.
Precious Achiuwa, TOR vs. ORL ($5,100)
Achiuwa is doing a great job holding down a starting role for the first time in his pro career with averages of 10.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 26.6 minutes. Those numbers have helped lead to 23.2 to 36.0 FD points from the last four appearances, and the big man could be set for someone in the higher end of that range tonight. The opposing Magic have been an absolute sieve down low thus far, allowing the highest offensive efficiency to frontcourt players overall (90.6 percent). Orlando is also shooting 40.8 percent on the road and Achiuwa's Raptors are posting just a slightly better 41.1 percent success rate at home themselves, which should lead to a plethora of opportunities for him on both the offensive and defensive glass.
ALSO CONSIDER: Myles Turner, IND at BRO ($5,700)
