This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We saw an eight-game slate Monday, and the schedule won't slow down much Tuesday, as there are seven matchups on the docket. We'll get things started at 7:00 PM Eastern time with the Hornets set to visit the Pacers. The final matchup of the evening features Kings at the Warriors, with that game slated to tip at 10:30 PM Eastern.
Here's another friendly reminder that FanDuel has gone back to the old format, counting all nine of your player's scores within your lineup. With each selection counting towards your score, it'll be important to make each choice count.
Slate Overview
With a heavy slate on tap, there's expected to be plenty of scoring Tuesday evening. It can be beneficial to add players to your lineup who are expected to play in favorable scoring environments, especially if you're having a difficult time choosing between two value plays. Here are a few games that are expected to rack up the points:
Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors (Projected Scoring Total: 231.5)
We could see some tired legs out of the Bucks on the second half of a back-to-back, especially following an overtime clash in Washington, but they're the No. 1 scoring team in the league with 119.7 points per game on the season. It's also worth noting that Giannis Antetokounmpo only played 25 minutes Monday evening due to foul trouble, so he should be relatively fresh. They'll take on a Toronto team that's ranked 10th in the NBA in scoring per contest, averaging 113.3 points per matchup.
If you're looking for another game to target, I'd set my sights on New Orleans at Los Angeles (projected total: 238.5). This matchup is projected to rack up the points, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis likely to lead the charge for the Lakers. Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Jrue Holiday are three names to watch for the Pels.
Positional Breakdown
We have 14 teams set to take the court on this slate, which should make it pretty easy to differentiate your lineups. I'll take you through the top choices at the five positions, and I'll also throw in a few mid-tier and value plays below, as well as a bit of strategy.
PG: Despite a relatively busy slate, we see a lack of star power at point guard. De'Aaron Fox is the top option, followed by Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul. All three of these guards are putting up 36 or more FanDuel points per contest and would pair nicely with a value play, such as Terry Rozier or Derrick Rose. I recommend saving cash at this position.
SG: Zach LaVine is the top choice here by salary, though I'd lean towards Jrue Holiday due to the projected point total in LA. Khris Middleton should also be in the conversation after dropping 40 points against the Wizards on Monday. Marcus Smart would be a solid choice further on down the list, especially with Kemba Walker (knee) ruled out for Tuesday.
SF: Make sure you're saving enough cash to pay up for the star power on this slate in the form of Giannis and LeBron. Pascal Siakam is a solid option if you want to avoid the top two names at small forward altogether, but I wouldn't recommend this strategy. Will Barton or Jaylen Brown are just two of the strong value plays that can be paired with either Antetokounmpo or James.
PF: Davis is the only player at power forward priced in five digits, and he should be good to go despite being deemed probable due to a calf issue. I'd also take a close look at Zion Williamson, who's coming off back-to-back 37-plus FD-point performances. It would be hard to argue with a Davis-Williamson or even Williamson-value play pairing here. Value plays include Nemanja Bjelica and Paul Millsap.
C: Nikola Jokic is the clear-cut star at center, though Hassan Whiteside is also an elite option. We see a steep dropoff after these two down to Steven Adams. Myles Turner and Derrick Favors are a couple lower-priced yet solid options if needed.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Victor Oladipo, IND
Oladipo is questionable against Charlotte due to a back injury.
Otto Porter, CHI
Porter is being considered doubtful against the Thunder due to a left foot injury.
Wendell Carter, CHI
Carter is officially questionable against Oklahoma City with an ankle sprain.
Denzel Valentine, CHI
Valentine isn't expected to play due to a hamstring injury.
Bruce Brown, DET
Brown has been handed a questionable tag due to left knee soreness.
Anthony Davis, LAL
Davis is probable due to a bruised right calf.
Draymond Green, GS
Green is questionable against the Kings with a right pelvic contusion.
Marquese Chriss, GS
Chriss will be a game-time decision with a calf injury.
Elite Players
There are four players on the slate priced at $10K or above -- Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,600), Nikola Jokic ($10,600), Anthony Davis ($10,600) and LeBron James ($10,200). You can't go wrong with any of these four, though there are also a number of elite plays below $10K -- Hassan Whiteside ($9,600), Zach LaVine ($8,900) and Jayson Tatum ($8,800) can all be considered strong choices.
In the mid-tier range, we have Andrew Wiggins ($7,800), Kyle Lowry ($7,600) and Brandon Ingram ($7,500). All three of these studs can be considered elite players, and they'll also allow you to save a few bucks.
Expected Chalk
LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are expected to be the most sought after names on this slate, especially with shortages in star power elsewhere. Nikola Jokic should also draw plenty of attention at center as the only option above $10K. Outside of the clear-cut studs, Jrue Holiday ($8,300), Zion Williamson ($7,500), Khris Middleton ($7,200) and Gordon Hayward ($6,600) have the potential to be highly owned considering their favorable matchups.
Key Values
Devonte' Graham, CHA at IND ($5,900)
I was surprised to see Graham carry such a low price tag into this one, even with a few recent sluggish showings. He's finished with 40-plus FanDuel points three times in February and is averaging 33.9 FD points on the season. It wouldn't be surprising to see the guard bounce back on the road, and he should have plenty of opportunities to do so. Graham could pair nicely with a star player such as CJ McCollum ($8,500) or Zach LaVine ($8,900) on this slate.
Derrick Favors, NOR at LAL ($5,100)
If you're running low on funds as you come to the center position, Favors is your guy. He's putting up 27.3 FanDuel points on the season, and he'll be involved in what's expected to be a high-scoring affair Tuesday evening. Favors has put up 20-plus FD points in six straight contests, securing 10 or more rebounds in four of those six games. The 2010 first-round pick out of Georgia Tech will be a decent value play, especially if you're looking to save up for Giannis or LeBron at small forward.
