This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Sunday's main slate consists of a solid seven games, which many DFS players may consider an ideal number of contests for tournaments. With 14 teams in action, there's certainly plenty of opportunity for roster differentiation while also creating a player pool deep enough to withstand some injury absences and still offer plenty of quality options at each salary level.
Of the four games with projected totals on FanDuel Sportsbook as of early Sunday morning, three are expected to finish with over 230 combined points. Those figures imply very good game environments for DFS purposes. And as we'll cover, there are multiple players from each contest with reasonable salaries that can be combined with elite selections to set up a roster for plenty of points if those games live up to expectations.
With plenty of injury news, value plays and other developments to break down, let's dive into Sunday's seven-game slate!
Slate Overview
Here's a further look at the three matchups with the highest projected totals:
Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets (Projected total: 241.0 points)
These teams are both ranked in the top-10 in pace, while the Wizards come in allowing the third-most points per game at 120.0 and the sixth-highest field-goal percentage at 47.9. The Nets have also been somewhat inconsistent with their defense, having given up 114, 116 and 141 points in three games this season. For their part, the Wizards have allowed at least 120 points in three contests and have also scored 130 on two occasions. With so many talented scorers on either side, this total seems plausible and could even be exceeded if either or both teams heat up.
Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors (Projected total: 233.0 points)
Both teams only combined for 221 points when they met Friday night, with Portland contributing 123 of those. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum amassed just over half on their own with 62, and they should once again be excellent plays in the rematch. However, this could turn into a much closer contest if Stephen Curry can get a bit more help from his supporting cast. The Warriors are still playing at an NBA-high pace of 111.6 possessions per game, so the potential is certainly there for a more even-handed shootout.
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves (Projected total: 230.5 points)
The 1-4 Nuggets are desperate for a win, while the Timberwolves have unsurprisingly slipped to the tune of three straight defeats since losing Karl-Anthony Towns to his wrist injury. Therein lies the concern and some of the skepticism regarding this game living up to its billing, as Minnesota has scored just 91, 101 and 109 points in its first three without KAT. However, the T-Wolves are still playing at a top-10 pace at 106.4 possessions per game, which is a nice bump for the Nuggets. Both clubs are also allowing top-10 three-point shooting percentages with Denver at 42.0 percent and Minnesota at 37.5, meaning the points could pile up quickly if some of the talented shooters are on their game.
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.
Key Injuries:
LeBron James, LAL (ankle)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
James has been able to play through his sprained left ankle so far, and his status will likely become clearer after early shootaround. Anthony Davis would see his usage skyrocket were his teammate to miss Sunday's contest.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN (wrist)/ Status: OUT
Towns' wrist dislocation has him on week-to-week status for the time being and definitely sidelines him for Sunday's contest. Naz Reid should draw another start at center, while the usage of the remaining members of Minnesota's starting five should also continue to be elevated.
Luka Doncic, DAL (quadriceps)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Doncic is specifically dealing with a left quad contusion, and his status will likely become clearer after early shootaround. If he were to sit out, either Jalen Brunson or Trey Burke would likely draw the start at PG, while the usage of fellow starters Tim Hardaway and Josh Richardson would see a significant bump.
LaMarcus Aldridge, SAN (knee)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Aldridge could miss a third straight game, which would mean an increase in usage for Dejounte Murray and DeMar DeRozan with extra work down low for Jakob Poeltl.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL (ankle)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
KCP twisted his ankle in Friday's win over the Spurs. And although he declared himself as healthy following the contest, he's still carrying a questionable tag. Wesley Matthews would likely be in for a start at two-guard if KCP can't go.
Michael Porter, DEN (COVID-19)/ Status: OUT
Porter's confirmed absence should lead to a start at small forward for Will Barton.
Derrick White, SAN (toe)/ Status: OUT
White is dealing with residual soreness after playing his first game of the season Friday. His absence Sunday should give Lonnie Walker a start.
Derrick Favors, UTA (knee)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
A potential absence by Favors could afford Rudy Gobert some extra run and potentially allow Georges Niang some time behind the Stifle Tower.
Royce O'Neale, UTA (knee)/ Status: PROBABLE
O'Neale doesn't appear to be in any danger of missing Sunday's game.
Lauri Markkanen, CHI (calf)/COVID-19)/ Status: OUT
Markkanen's third straight absence should give either Thaddeus Young or Otto Porter a start at power forward, and both players should see solid minutes irrespective of who plays on the first unit.
Marcus Morris, LAC (knee)/ Status: OUT
Morris's ongoing absence will continue to allow Nicolas Batum a starting opportunity.
Josh Okogie, MIN (hamstring)/ Status: OUT
Okogie's absence will give Jake Layman and Anthony Edwards the chance for extra run.
Other injuries of note:
Grayson Allen, MEM (ankle)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Tomas Satoransky, CHI (COVID-19)/ Status: OUT
Maxi Kleber, DAL (ankle)/ Status: PROBABLE
Alex Caruso, LAL (hand)/ Status: OUT
Chandler Hutchison, CHI (COVID-19)/ Status: OUT
Rodney Hood, POR (quadriceps)/ Status: OUT
Ryan Arcidiacono, CHI (COVID-19)/ Status: OUT
Nassir Little, POR (COVID-19)/ Status: OUT
Jaylen Nowell, MIN (calf)/ Status: OUT
Xavier Tillman, MEM (kneecap)/ Status: OUT
Jontay Porter, MEM (knee)/ Status: OUT
Abdel Nader, PHO (concussion) /Status: OUT
Jalen Smith, PHO (ankle)/ Status: OUT
NOTABLE LONGER-TERM INJURIES: Ja Morant, MEM (ankle); Kristaps Porzingis, DAL (knee); Jaren Jackson, MEM (knee); Cody Zeller, CHA (hand); Justise Winslow, MEM (hip): Kris Dunn, ATL (knee); Nicholas Claxton, BKN (knee); Zach Collins, POR (ankle)
Elite Players
While there's only seven games on the main slate Sunday, there are as many five-figure salaries: Luka Doncic ($11,300), Russell Westbrook ($11,000), Nikola Jokic ($10,600), Kawhi Leonard ($10,500), LeBron James ($10,400); Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,200) and Anthony Davis ($10,000). Two of those players – Doncic and James – carry questionable designations, while Towns is already ruled out.
In terms of expected game environments for this elite group, Doncic is playing an extremely fast-paced and defensively-challenged team in the Bulls, while Westbrook is part of the matchup with the highest-projected total of the night. Jokic has also seen a salary bump of $400 over Friday, but that almost appears to be a delayed reaction to his triple-double three games ago against the Rockets - one of two contests this season over 60 FD points. Davis is also a player to naturally keep in mind even more than usual if James is ruled out with his ankle issue.
There's plenty of potential for elite production from a number of four-figure-salaried players, beginning with Bradley Beal ($9,800) and Stephen Curry ($9,800) and continuing with Kevin Durant ($9,600), Kyrie Irving ($9,500), Damian Lillard ($9,300) and CJ McCollum ($8,800). DeMar DeRozan ($8,500) could also vault into this category if LaMarcus Aldridge misses a third straight game, with DeRozan having eclipsed 40 FD points in each of his teammate's first two absences.
Expected Chalk
All of the names mentioned in Elite Players section are naturally going to be very popular Sunday. And with a relatively modest 14 teams taking the floor, there could certainly be some congregating on the superstars. Injury-related chalk could also make Anthony Davis even more popular than usual if LeBron James misses out, while Mavericks such as Tim Hardaway, Josh Richardson and Jalen Brunson would likely see a boost in rostering rates if Luka Doncic were to sit.
Additionally, there could also be plenty of popular value plays, several which will be covered in the following section.
Key Values
Jarrett Allen, BKN vs. WAS ($5,600)
Allen is averaging a solid 26.1 FD points through his first six games, and had scored 25.5 to 34.7 FD points in his first five contests of the campaign until a 12.8 FD-point dud against the Hawks Friday night. His downturn against Atlanta may well move some off him in tournaments and make him an intriguing play against a Wizards' side giving up the third-most points per game at 120.0 and playing at the third-fastest pace with 108.9 possessions per contest. Washington is also allowing the fourth-highest offensive efficiency to centers at 37.2 and seventh highest in the paint at 60.5, while Allen has scored over 75.0 percent or more of his points in that part of the floor during each of his first three seasons.
Tim Hardaway, DAL at CHI ($5,300)
Hardaway is a quintessential tournament play, as he can be a streaky shooter at times and his lines can also get a bit scoring-dependent. However, the veteran also offers the upside to significantly outpace his current salary if he gets hot, and he's notably eclipsed 30 FD points in two of his last three contests. The opposing Bulls check in playing at the league's second-fastest pace with 111.5 possessions per game and surrendering the sixth-highest three-point percentage at 39.7, with both factors meshing particularly well with Hardaway's offensive profile. Moreover, Chicago is giving up the seventh-highest offensive efficiency to two-guards at 26.5, partly the byproduct of the 44.1 percent success rate from behind the arc they've yielded to the position. Finally, consider Hardaway will shoulder significantly more responsibility should Luka Doncic (quadriceps) miss Sunday's contest.
Rui Hachimura, WAS at BKN ($5,000)
Hachimura could be overlooked in tournaments, as he's only played two games and is coming off an underwhelming 17.8 FD points over 19 minutes against the Timberwolves - a game where foul trouble notably cut his playing time short. However, Hachimura played 25 minutes in his first contest, so conditioning doesn't appear to be a concern and he'll also be involved in the matchup with the highest projected total of the slate. As mentioned in Allen's entry, the Wizards are already playing at the third-fastest pace in the league, while the Nets are no threat to slow them down considering they're right behind Washington at 107.7 possessions per game. With an upside of 30 FD points at minimum and the potential for more if he steers clear of the ref's whistle, Hachimura makes for an intriguing tournament play given expected game environment.
Other value plays to consider: Caris LeVert, BKN vs. WAS ($6,500); Kyle Anderson, MEM vs LAL ($6,400); Dennis Schroder, LAL at MEM ($5,900); Keldon Johnson, SA vs. UTA ($5,800); Tyus Jones, MEM vs. LAL ($5,700); Kelly Oubre, GS vs. POR ($5,200); Carmelo Anthony, POR at GS ($4,500); Deni Avdija, WAS at BKN ($4,400); Jalen Brunson, DAL at CHI ($3,700)
