This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We kick off the week with a 4:00 p.m. start and a seven-game slate. We managed to squeak through the night with only one absence today, but as is the case in these uncertain times, it's is ALWAYS a good idea to check in with your lineups before lock to make sure we don't have any additional pandemic concerns.
SLATE OVERVIEW
CHA (-6.5) vs. HOU O/U: 235.5
CHI (-6.5) @ ATL O/U: 209
BOS (-9) @ MIN O/U: 218.5
UTA (-7.5) @ SAS O/U: 228.5
PHO (-8.5) vs. MEM O/U: 219
DAL (-1.5) @ POR O/U 213.5
BKN (-4.5) @ LAC O/U: 216.5
The Vegas numbers point squarely toward the Rockets and Hornets. Although players from both teams will get several mentions, you can do additional research on their rosters to find your own deep values. I also like the value for Utah as a fee guys will step up due to a major absence.
INJURIES
HOU Kevin Porter (thigh) - QUESTIONABLE
HOU Jalen Green (hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
HOU Garrison Mathews (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
HOU D.J. Augustin (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
Although there's a chance we may see a return from Porter, Eric Gordon ($5,500) and Armoni Brooks ($4,500) continue to be our pivots of choice if the situation remains static.
CHA Miles Bridges (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
CHA Cody Martin (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
CHA P.J. Washington (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
The Hornets continue to struggle with COVID-19 absences. These absences benefit Mason Plumlee ($4,600), Terry Rozier ($6,400) and Kelly Oubre ($6,300).
CHI Lonzo Ball (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
CHI Alex Caruso (foot) - OUT
CHI Derrick Jones (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
The backcourt absences set up Coby White ($5,700) and Ayo Dosunmu ($3,800) for more work at the guard positions.
ATL Trae Young (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
ATL John Collins (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
ATL Kevin Huerter (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
ATL Danilo Gallinari (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
ATL Jalen Johnson (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
ATL Onyeka Okongwu (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
Collins has swapped places with Clint Capela on the protocol list, but conditioning may be a concern for Caoela as he returns to action. Cam Reddish ($5,300), Bogdan Bogdanovic ($5,800) and Gorgui Dieng ($3,900) are my favorite pivots in this scenario, with Skylar Mays ($4,300) clocking in as the bargain pivot.
BOS Dennis Schroder (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
BOS Enes Freedom (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
BOS Josh Richardson (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
Shifting to the usual starters is the best play here, but we should see some additional run for Al Horford ($7,000) and Marcus Smart ($5,900), who's questionable with a hand laceration.
MIN Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
MIN D'Angelo Russell (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
MIN Anthony Edwards (COVID-19 Protocols) - QUESTIONABLE
MIN Patrick Beverley (conditioning) - QUESTIONABLE
MIN Naz Reid (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
MIN Jarred Vanderbilt (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
Edwards and Beverley's return is possible, which clouds the situation at guard, but the Minnesota frontcourt is a mess. Nathan Knight ($3,800) was plucked from the G-League to provide some size inside, and Jaden McDaniels ($5,400) will pair with Jake Layman ($4,600) to provide additional support inside. Malik Beasley ($6,000) is still the primary guard pivot.
UTA Donovan Mitchell (back) - OUT
Jordan Clarkson ($5,200) is the budget guy to target here. I wouldn't bother with deep grabs like Miye Oni.
SAS Dejounte Murray (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
I would keep an eye on the Spurs because when you see one COVID case, more eventually follow. Derrick White ($7,700) will pick up the backcourt slack and probably slide to point guard, putting Lonnie Walker ($5,300) and Bryn Forbes ($3,800) in play.
MEM Dillon Brooks (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
MEM De'Anthony Melton (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
Desmond Bane ($6,500) and Kyle Anderson ($5,400) are excellent pivot selections in this spot.
PHO Jae Crowder (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
PHO Frank Kaminsky (knee) OUT
We will see more of Landry Shamet ($3,700), JaVale McGee ($4,500) and Cameron Johnson ($5,300) with Crowder out.
DAL Luka Doncic (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
DAL Tim Hardaway (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
DAL Maxi Kleber (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
DAL Trey Burke (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
DAL Reggie Bullock (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
This is still a plum slot for Jalen Brunson ($7,600) and Dorian Finney-Smith ($6,200). We'll list one excellent pivot play later in the article.
POR Damian Lillard (personal) - QUESTIONABLE
POR CJ McCollum (lung) - OUT
POR Jusuf Nurkic (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
POR Dennis Smith (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
POR Robert Covington (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
POR Cody Zeller (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
POR Trendon Watford (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
There's no word on Lillard yet, but he will probably be an excellent late-swap target when we learn more. Anfernee Simons ($4,000) and Norman Powell ($6,100) will still be outstanding plays, but Larry Nance ($5,700) is probably the big beneficiary here.
BKN Kevin Durant (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
BKN LaMarcus Aldridge (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
BKN Kessler Edwards (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
BKN Cam Thomas (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
BKN David Duke (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
One play is obvious here, but Nicolas Claxton ($6,200), Blake Griffin ($5,500) and Bruce Brown ($5,700) are all fine pivots in this spot.
LAC Paul George (elbow) - OUT
LAC Reggie Jackson (COVID-19 Protocols) - OUT
This is a massive blow to the Clippers. The team will need Marcus Morris ($6100), Terance Mann ($5,600) and Luke Kennard ($5,100) to step up, and Eric Bledsoe ($5,500) should get a big boost for the next week.
Before we move on, I'm identifying Reddish, Brunson, Bledsoe and Nance as my favorite injury pivots of the night.
ELITE PLAYERS
James Harden ($11,000) is the most expensive player on the slate, and he will facilitate the offense for the short-handed Nets. Despite the team's absences, he still ranks quite high in my projections against the Clippers, who are also hamstrung with several players missing. Jayson Tatum ($9,900) is my second-favorite elite on the list, as he should excel against the Timberwolves as they make a vain attempt to replace most of their frontcourt tonight.
I am also bullish on a fully healthy Kristaps Porzingis ($8,900) against Portland, which will field a depleted frontcourt tonight. My final elite endorsement is LaMelo Ball ($9,400), who will have a very productive night without Miles Bridges in the lineup.
Keep an eye on Damian Lillard's status. You may be able to late-swap out some talent from the later games and grab Dame at lower ownership this evening if he suits up.
Also consider: DeMar DeRozan, CHI ($8,900) @ ATL, Nikola Vucevic, CHI ($8,300) @ ATL
EXPECTED CHALK AND VALUE PLAYS
Due to the number of pivots mentioned and the size of the slate, we will combine these two sections tonight.
Deandre Ayton, PHO ($8,100) @ MEM
Ayton regressed a bit in his previous game after posting three consecutive nights with 40 or more fantasy points. A number above 40 is exactly what we need to pay off against the Grizzlies, and although Memphis is one of the few teams with a healthy frontcourt, they are outmatched by the Suns at almost every position. The stifling defense of the Suns will send a lot of errant balls Ayton's way, setting him up for a likely double-double. While we are on Phoenix, Devin Booker ($7,400) is incredibly cheap right now and is a great bargain against the Grizzlies.
Mike Conley, UTA ($6,200) @ SAS
Mitchell's absence should open things up for Conley, who is coming off an admirable 41 FP outing against the Mavericks. He's also been particularly hot recently, averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists over the past four games. He's also connected on 46 percent of his shots during that span.
Robert Williams, BOS ($6,100) @ MIN
I'm not sure if they will take full advantage, but the Celtics would be smart to field a twin-tower setup of Horford and Williams against a depleted Minnesota frontcourt. The duo would present a huge height advantage inside, allowing Boston to dominate the rebound game and open up opportunities for their backcourt to slash inside without much problem. I already mentioned Horford, but Williams comes in at a more attractive salary this evening.
Delon Wright, ATL ($5,700) vs. CHI
After failing to deliver in Young's absence, Wright finally lived up to the hype with a solid 20-point effort against the Knicks. The Bulls won't have Lonzo Ball at the point, and while Wright may have to deal with Zach LaVine and Coby White, it will be an easier task for Wright to get the ball moving snd a decent opportunity make some off-the-plays as well.
Nassir Little, POR ($5,700) vs. DAL
Although Larry Nance is the obvious play, I wouldn't count out Little in this injury scenario. I'd like a slightly lower salary, but he'll have the opportunity to break 30 FP and pay off the sub-6K tag. A decent rebounding night will be key to Little-s success, and the opportunity will probably be there with Nurkic out.
Javonte Green, CHI ($4,100) @ ATL
With so many injuries in tonight's player pool, your best values will come from unlikely places that many pundits aren't mentioning. I think Green fits the bill for the Bulls. It's the kind of situation where obvious pivots (White) emerge for a guy like Lonzo Ball, and little consideration is given to a second-unit youngster with a lot of upside. Green would be an everyday starter on a weaker team, and many will overlook his potential to pop for 25 FP or more.
Jaylen Nowell, MIN ($4,000) vs. BOS
Nowell will be left out of many builds as a lower-tier guard, but the Timberwolves will be without several playmakers, and I will look Nowell's way if Anthony Edwards fails to make it to the floor. He'll still have some value with Russell out, and if Malik Beasley fails to get going in the opening minutes, we could easily see 30 minutes from Nowell, who only needs 20 FP to reach 5x value. Jordan McLaughlin ($3,600) could deliver in the same fashion, and while these two guards won't show up in many cash lineups, I like them in bulk builds as salary cap savers.
Also consider: Chris Paul, PHO ($8,200) vs. MEM, Keldon Johnson, SAS ($6,300) vs. UTA
