This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We get a heavier slate than usual this Tuesday, with six games and 12 teams in action. The night kicks off with Boston at Cleveland and Indiana at Charlotte at 7:00 PM Eastern time, with Miami and Denver closing out the evening with a 9:00 PM Eastern tip.
A quick reminder that FanDuel has gone back to its previous format, counting all nine player scores within your lineup after dropping your lowest player's total a season ago. With all nine selections counting towards your total score, it'll be vital to make sure each and every selection produces. The good news is that we have plenty of promising options within this slate.
Let's get to it!
Slate Overview
Of the six games on the slate, there are a few matchups in particular that are expected to have favorable environments for DFS production. These games include:
Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls (Projected total: 215.5)
The Lakers have two of the biggest stars in the league on their side in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and it's resulted in 100-plus points in five of the first six games of the regular season. The Bulls possess less firepower when it comes to their offensive attack, though they're still averaging 105 points per contest in the early going. Both of these squads sit near the middle of the pack when it comes to pace, so while this contest won't exactly light up the scoreboard, there's expected to be plenty of scoring in this one.
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers (Projected total: 213.5)
Similar to the game above, these two teams are near the league average when it comes to pace (Boston: 101.6, Cleveland 101.4), though this matchup is still expected to be one of the highest-scoring games of the evening. Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum will lead the attack for the Celtics, while Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Collin Sexton lead the charge for the Cavs.
There is also one game in particular that is on track to have the fewest opportunities for DFS production:
Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder (Projected total: 204)
This clash may be worth avoiding entirely given how stagnant these two offenses have been this season. The Magic have yet to reach 100 points over their first six contests, while the Thunder have scored 100-plus points in just three of six games. It's safe to assume that not much will change in this one, according to FanDuel's Sportsbook. Keep this in mind when developing your lineup Tuesday evening.
Positional Breakdown
Within this slate, the steepest drop-off is at small forward, with Gordon Hayward ($6,900) following LeBron ($11,700) as the top option. If you choose not to roll with James, there are five players listed in the $6K range to turn to: Jonathan Isaac ($6,600), T.J. Warren ($6,500), Justise Winslow ($6,400) and Danilo Gallinari ($6,200) to go along with Hayward, although Winslow is dealing with a back issue.
Things are also fairly thin at center, with Nikola Jokic checking in as the top option, valued at $9,200. There are only two options above $8K behind Jokic, Nikola Vucevic ($8,600) and Tristan Thompson ($8,400). With plenty of cheap starting talent at point guard, shooting guard and power forward, it may benefit your lineup to spend a little extra cash here.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Enes Kanter, BOS
Kanter is considered doubtful for Tuesday's game due to a knee injury, so Daniel Theis and Robert Williams (hip) could be in line for more minutes, assuming Kanter's ultimately ruled out.
Domantas Sabonis, IND
Sabonis is questionable for Tuesday's clash against the Hornets due to a calf injury, so his availability will likely be cleared up following shootaround. Doug McDermott (foot) is also questionable, so T.J. Leaf could benefit if either player is sidelined.
Myles Turner, IND
Turner has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, and he appears on track to miss a third. Goga Bitadze drew the start in his place Sunday and could enter the starting lineup yet again if Turner can't go.
Trae Young, ATL
Young felt strong during Monday's practice, though the team is listing him as questionable for Tuesday's matchup with San Antonio. He'll be a key player to watch leading up to tipoff. Cam Reddish figures to see more opportunities if Young can't go.
Avery Bradley, LAL
Bradley has started all six games this season for the Lakers, but after failing to take the court for practice Monday, he's questionable for Tuesday with a lower right leg injury.
Otto Porter, CHI
Porter is probable for Tuesday's game against the Lakers due to an ankle issue. Look for confirmation on his availability closer to tip.
Steven Adams, OKC
Adams will be a game-time decision against Orlando due to a knee injury. If he's unable to go, Nerlens Noel (ankle), who is probable, could draw the start in his place.
Justise Winslow, MIA
Winslow has missed the last two games with a back injury but has a chance to return against the Nuggets. He'll be a game-time call.
Derrick Jones Jr., MIA
Jones is questionable against Denver due to a groin strain. Duncan Robinson could see extended minutes once again if Jones is ruled out.
Will Barton, DEN
Barton is nursing toe inflammation and will be a game-time call as a result. His availability will likely hinge on how he feels closer to tipoff.
Elite Players
Although we have more games on the schedule than usual this week Tuesday, there are only two players that are valued at $10K or more — LeBron James and Anthony Davis ($11,900). This means there will be plenty of opportunities to hunt for starters at a reasonable price if you elect to pay up at small and power forward. Nikola Jokic can be considered an elite play at center, valued at just over $9K. Trae Young ($9,200) and Kemba Walker ($9,100) can also be viewed as elite players at point guard, checking in as the top two choices. Walker will have a mouth-watering matchup against the Cavs, a team that's allowing 73.6 FanDuel points per contest to opposing point guards so far.
Expected Chalk
With only a few stars in action Tuesday, there will likely be more expected chalk than usual, with James and Davis in line to be the most popular selections.
Outside of the superstar category, the injury picture will have a big impact on the heavily owned value plays. For example, if Trae Young is ruled out, look for Cam Reddish ($4,200) to be a cheap addition to many lineups. He's yet to log 30 minutes this season, but he put up 27.2 FanDuel points Thursday against Miami and could be in line for extended minutes Tuesday if Young can't take the court.
Tristan Thompson ($8,400) is also a candidate to be heavily owned in DFS lineups, coming off a big game Sunday against Dallas (40.4 FD points). He'll face a favorable matchup in the Celtics on Tuesday, a team that's average at best when defending opposing centers so far this season (37 FD points allowed).
Other expected chalk plays to consider (by position): PG: Kemba Walker ($9,100), Malcolm Brogdon ($9,000), Jamal Murray ($6,500); SG: Zach LaVine ($7,400), Marcus Smart ($5,600); SF: Jonathan Isaac ($6,600); PF: Bam Adebayo ($8,400), Jayson Tatum ($8,300); C: Cody Zeller ($7,000)
Key Values
Tyler Herro, MIA @ DEN ($5,800)
Herro has been a popular name in the DFS community so far this season, averaging 27.4 FanDuel points in six contests. Over that stretch, he's logged 30-plus minutes and scored in double figures in five of those six games while also stuffing the stat sheet. He's proven early on that he's much more than a three-point shooter, showing the ability to rebound and facilitate as well. With the status of Winslow still up in the air, Herro could be worth taking a flyer on at an affordable price.
Rudy Gay, SA @ ATL ($4,900)
Gay is coming off his most impressive showing of the 2019-20 campaign, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three assists Sunday, resulting in 30.5 FanDuel points. He's finished with 16 points in each of his last two games, and he also adds value on the boards. Though Gay isn't a candidate to log 30 minutes on a nightly basis, he's scored 23-plus FD points in five of his first six games, which is solid production from a player valued under $5K.
Wendell Carter, CHI vs. LAL ($7,000)
It's early in the season, but Carter has shown in the first seven games that he's taken a step forward from his rookie campaign. He's averaging close to a double-double (14.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG), which is good enough for 30.2 FD points per contest. While he isn't necessarily a true value play at $7K, he's a good option when trying to save cash at center. the Duke product is listed $2K cheaper than the top choice, Jokic. Carter is probable for Tuesday's clash with the Lakers due to a thumb issue, though he hasn't missed a game this season as a result of the issue.
