This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We're set for a second set of Game 2 matchups Tuesday, one that will see the defending champion Lakers and co-Staples Center tenant Clippers avoid falling into early two-game deficits The three-game slate provides a solid pool by postseason DFS standards, and the injury report is thankfully extremely light.
Slate Overview
Here's a closer look at the three games on Tuesday's slate:
Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets (Projected total: 227.5 points)
The two squads combined for just 197 points in Game 1, but two of the regular-season games between these clubs ended with totals of 218 and 230 points. The Nets' Big Three did the majority of the scoring in Game 1 yet Brooklyn shot just over 41.0 percent overall, while the Celtics' top trio of Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier went only 14-for-46 from the floor, so improvement in both metrics could certainly led to this total being approached or exceeded.
Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns (Projected total: 210.5 points)
This line has been on the rise since it opened, even as Game 1 ended with just 189 total points. The Lakers were balanced on offense, as four first-unit players scored in double digits. The only issue is that LeBron James' 18 points served as the team-high figure, while Dennis Schroder (14 points) actually outpaced Anthony Davis (13 points) and Andre Drummond (12 points). The Suns were much more efficient and saw Devin Booker rack up a team-leading 34 points, but Chris Paul, who sustained a shoulder contusion during the game, tallied just seven points.
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers (Projected total: 216.0 points)
Poor overall shooting from prominent players had a part to play in the opening game of this series as well, as the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined to go just 17-for-40 from the floor, while Marcus Morris misfired on all six of his three-point attempts on his way to a 2-for-8 night. Meanwhile, four Dallas first-unit players scored in double digits, led by Luka Doncic's triple-double. Oddsmakers seem to be expecting significant improvement on L.A.'s side at both ends of the floor, as the Clippers are solid favorites once again and this total is exactly the same number as Game 1's final score.
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 serves as 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 (shoulder)/ Status: PROBABLE
Davis should be able to take the floor without restrictions after playing 38 minutes in Game 1.
LeBron James, LAL (ankle)/ Status: PROBABLE
James should be able to take the floor without restrictions after playing 36 minutes in Game 1.
Other notable injuries:
Maxi Kleber, DAL (Achilles)/ Status: PROBABLE
Abdel Nader, PHO (knee)/ Status: OUT
Elite Players
We have six players with five-figure salaries on Tuesday's slate: James Harden ($10,800), LeBron James ($10,500), Kevin Durant ($10,400), Luka Doncic ($10,300), Anthony Davis ($10,100) and Jayson Tatum ($10,000).
Harden shot just 5-for-13 in Game 1 but still nearly delivered a triple-double on his way to 55.8 FD points. His primary ball-handling responsibilities give him a strong chance at another 50-plus FD point night.
James and Davis both fell short of providing adequate returns on five-figure salaries in Game 1, posting 45.4 and 33.4 FD points respectively. Both will undoubtedly be striving for improvement in what is now a critical game for the Lakers.
Durant managed 49.9 FD points on the strength of a 32-point, 12-rebound double-double in Game 1, and he encouragingly took 25 shots.
Tatum had a big role to play in Boston's aforementioned Game 1 shooting struggles by going just 6-for-20 from the floor, but he'll have a chance at an elite score in every game during this series thanks to his ultra-high usage.
Healthy players with salaries in the high four figures capable of also delivering elite scores include Kawhi Leonard ($9,400), Kyrie Irving ($9,200), Paul George ($8,400) and Devin Booker ($8,200), with all four players expected to see hefty usage in what should be competitive matchups.
Expected Chalk
In addition to the players just mentioned in the prior section, other likely chalk plays include:
Chris Paul, PHO ($7,600)
Paul is off the injury report after suffering that shoulder contusion in Game 1 and should have no shortage of opportunities with the ball in his hands.
Deandre Ayton, PHO ($7,200)
Ayton stepped his game up to the tune of a 21-point, 16-rebound double-double in Game 1 and continues to carry a very reasonable salary for his upside.
Kemba Walker, BOS ($7,000)
Walker will likely serve as Tatum's main complement again in Game 2.
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL ($6,900)
Porzingis contributed a modest 22.3 FD points in Game 1 and has been over 30 only once in four games since returning from an extended absence due to knee issues, but his name and very affordable salary should keep him highly rostered on a small slate.
Key Values
Tim Hardaway, DAL at LAC ($5,100)
Hardaway was sharp in Game 1, complementing Doncic's triple-double with 21 points, four rebounds and one assist while going 8-for-13 from the floor, including 5-for-9 from three-point range. The veteran wing has now been over 20 FD points in 13 consecutive games, shooting an impressive 51.6 percent, including 44.7 percent from distance, during that span. The Clippers were tough against shooting guards all season with George and Leonard on the wings, but Hardaway's salary remains such that he's certainly worth the investment in tournaments due to his ability to pile up points in a hurry.
Rajon Rondo, LAC vs. DAL ($5,000)
Rondo's experience and ability to provide diverse production off the bench help lock in his minutes, and the veteran point guard was effective in Game 1 on the second unit with 26.8 FD points across 23 minutes. Veteran starter Patrick Beverley appeared to have the hot hand shooting-wise early but was whistled for three fouls in 17 minutes, and although he could naturally see a larger workload Tuesday, Rondo should still be involved to about the same degree. Dallas has allowed 45.5 FD points per game to point guards over the last 10 contests as well, so the matchup on paper is far from prohibitive.
Tristan Thompson, BOS at BKN ($4,400)
Thompson saw a solid role despite the return of Robert Williams in Game 1, with the former putting up 27 FD points over 25 minutes. The poor shooting from either side helped Thompson compile 10 rebounds, which did account for the bulk of his fantasy production. However, even if both squads are more efficient Tuesday, the veteran remains viable at his salary, particularly against a Nets team that allows the seventh-highest offensive efficiency (33.8 percent) to centers, along with 40.2 FD points per game to the position over the last 10.
