This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
After a tiny three-game offering on Tuesday, we'll see 24 teams take the floor on a humongous 12-game slate. Be on the lookout, because more games mean more postponement possibilities, and there are some teams that are cutting it close when it comes to meeting roster requirements today. If you can't be around for game lock today, I'd be very conservative with your builds. If you're able to be around for late-swap hour, it's a night where you need to construct a number of sound, yet unique lineups in as many GPPs as your bankroll permits.
SLATE OVERVIEW
(Odds provided by FabDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change)
Games/Teams to Target in BOLD
Games/Teams to Fade in ITALIC
DET @ CLE (-3) O/U: 215
SAC @ ORL (-1.5) O/U: 221
IND @ CHA (-1.5) O/U: 218
MIL @ TOR (+6) O/U: 223.5
LAL @ PHI (+2) O/U: 221.5
BKN @ ATL (+7) O/U: 235.5
DEN @ MIA (+5) O/U 220.5
BOS @ SAS (+3.5) O/U: 225
DAL @ UTA (-4) O/U: 225.5
WAS @ NOR (-7.5) O/U: 228.5
OKC @ PHO (-6) O/U: 220.5
MIN @ GSW (-8) O/U: 227.5
Slates of this size are awash with opportunities everywhere you look, and they go beyond what I am able to provide in one article. I'll pinpoint all the good injury opportunities, go through the elites, skim through some chalk and expand my value list in an effort to cover it in the most efficient way possible. As always, in this climate, it's essential to double-check your selections before game lock.
INJURIES
Domantas Sabonis (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
While Sabonis's MRI came back clean, he still may miss Wednesday's game against the Hornets. Your typical pivot in this situation would be a boost for Myles Turner ($7,100), who has merit on his own as a viable option against a weak Charlotte frontcourt.
Blake Griffin (rest) - OUT
Expect a lot from the usually-prolific Jerami Grant ($8,400), but Saddiq Bey ($3,500) is worth a punt play at power forward, as the Pistons want to give their rookie all he can handle as they try to rebuild their core.
Larry Nance (wrist) - QUESTIONABLE
Nance could miss again with this injury. Checking the starting lineup before lock will be necessary to play this spot, but I like JaVale McGee ($3,900) as a decent value play against Detroit.
Jimmy Butler (COVID-19) - OUT
Tyler Herro (neck) - QUESTIONABLE
Goran Dragic (groin) - QUESTIONABLE
Gabe Vincent (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Since this injury situation happened, Bam Adebayo ($9,400) has played exceptional basketball, so he's still a fair play despite facing Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Dragic and Herro's status will determine a lot about this game, but if Dragic sits, go with Kendrick Nunn ($6,500).
Pascal Siakam (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
Kyle Lowry is now off the injury report, but Siakam still lingers with a questionable tag. Go back to the well with OG Anunoby ($6,200) if Siakam can't make it.
Davis Bertans (COVID-19) - QUESTIONABLE
Rui Hachimura (COVID-19) - QUESTIONABLE
Ish Smith (COVID-19) - QUESTIONABLE
Deni Avdija (COVID-19) - QUESTIONABLE
Moritz Wagner (COVID-19) - QUESTIONABLE
It's an all-around mess for the Wizards, who also have to suffer through a back-to-back. Some of these tags may be removed for Wednesday, and since the salary for a lot of the players has regressed over their long break, they're worth a look. Washington may struggle to get eight healthy players out there tonight, so a postponement is always possible. I am mainly staying away from pivots for this team.
Al Horford (personal) - QUESTIONABLE
Horford could be back in the lineup Wednesday after taking time to witness the birth of his child, but Isaiah Roby ($4,500) would once again start in his place if he doesn't make it back in time.
Devin Booker (hamstring) - OUT
Booker will miss at least one more game. The team slid Mikal Bridges ($5,400) over to the two, which created an enhanced opportunity for Jae Crowder ($4,800). He put up 35 FDFP in relief, so he's a great value play coming into tonight's slate.
Josh Richardson (COVID-19) - QUESTIONABLE
Dorian Finney-Smith (COVID-19) - QUESTIONABLE
Maxi Kleber (COVID-19) - QUESTIONABLE
Dwight Powell (COVID-19) - QUESTIONABLE
Don't be surprised if some or all of these players return tonight. Obviously, some excellent plays would be afoot, especially for Richardson if his status changes. Keep an eye on this spot as the day moves forward.
D'Angelo Russell (quad) QUESTIONABLE
Ricky Rubio ($5,300), Malik Beasley ($6,700) and Anthony Edwards ($4,500) will continue to see production increases of Russell remains out.
Also, look for Russell Westbrook to potentially sit on a back-to-back. Raul Neto ($4,200) would start in his place if he rests.
ELITE PLAYERS
As expected on such a huge slate, the list is packed with elite talent, and it's easy to get overwhelmed and confused about where to spend up. For my money, the three guys above 11k aren't at the top of my list tonight. It's a given that Nikola Jokic ($11,200), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,300) and Luka Doncic ($11,400) are going to have grand totals, but at the moment, we do not see enough budget options to nullify these high salary points. Some spots may crystallize later in the day, but I think we lose too much value by buying up with one of these guys right now. I feel very similarly about the trio of Brooklyn players. While James Harden is only $9,800, I can't go with a guy who's only taking ten shots a game, no matter how many assists he might be generating. Kevin Durant ($10,700) would probably get the highest exposure of the three, but when your slate is this loaded, I don't know that it's necessary to spend for him, either. In the 10k range, you have to give pause to Bradley Beal ($10,300), especially if Westbrook takes a seat. I also don't mind Trae Young ($10,600) against Brooklyn.
Stephen Curry ($9,600) is my number one spend-up guy for Wednesday. As they again tackle the lowly Timberwolves, I expect Curry to do what he does best and shoot the lights out against Minnesota. He netted 52 FDFP in the last game, and I see no reason why he can't replicate the total. We'll see elevated rostership for LeBron James ($10,400) after he laid the hammer down against his former team, but if you're going for the Lakers, I like Anthony Davis' ($10,100) salary just a little bit more against Joel Embiid, who is also an excellent play at $9,800.
Also consider: Nikola Vucevic, ORL ($9,400) @ SAC
EXPECTED CHALK
Gordon Hayward, CHA ($8,100) vs. IND
You have to like what Hayward's been up to with the Hornets, and the most attractive thing about him is an incredibly reliable floor. In his last four games, his FDFP numbers are 45, 45, 47, and 45. They're consistently beating value, and he's set up well against the Pacers, who are weakest against Hayward's position.
Rudy Gobert, UTA ($8,000)
Without question, there are a plethora of excellent options at center tonight, but to be smart with your cash allotment, Gobert is one of the better ways to spend down. He's coming off an excellent 56-FDFP showing against the Knicks, and I like his chances against the Mavericks tonight.
Brandon Ingram, NOR ($7,500) vs. WAS
The battle for offensive supremacy between Ingram and Zion Williamson still falls on Zion's side, but in the wake of the skirmish, Ingram's salary has slid into unheard-of levels. Against the compromised Wizards, Ingram's potential to beat value is even more likely at this favorable salary point. He'll be looking to build on a 30-point performance against Minnesota.
Chris Paul, PHO ($7,400) vs. OKC
Devin Booker is out for at least one more game, so look for Paul to push things in the backcourt. In Booker's absence, Paul fared exceptionally well with a 21/13/9 near-triple-double against Denver, and he should have an even easier time as he faces his former team in a mini-revenge scenario.
Myles Turner, IND ($7,000) @ CHA
Turner should be viewed as a must-start if Domantas Sabonis is unable to go. He stands on his own merit as a sensible play against Charlotte either way, but it's imperative to make the best possible choice at FanDuel's valuable center slot Sabonis' absence would be the key to elevating Gobert to a smash play at the position.
Also consider: Andrew Wiggins, GS ($6,800) vs. MIN
VALUE PLAYS ($6,667 and below)
Please refer to the injury section and keep your ear to the ground with the potential developments we mentioned above. Here are some more value spots to consider. With 12 games, it will be more informative to provide a list, rather than expound on four targets. I like all of the players below for their value-beating potential.
PF Chris Boucher, TOR ($6,500) vs. MIL
SF Harrison Barnes, SAC ($6,000) @ ORL
SF Kelly Oubre, GS ($5,800) vs. MIN
PG Lonzo Ball, NO ($5,600) vs. WAS
SF Mikal Bridges, PHO ($5,400) vs. OKC
SF Jeremy Lamb, IND ($5,200) @ CHA
SF Cameron Johnson, PHO ($4,600) vs. OKC
