This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
We're going to be splitting hairs trying to decide between the games on this Mother's Day DraftKings NBA main slate.
There are six games but none with a total higher than 229, that being a game between the lowly Magic and Timberwolves at 7 p.m. EDT. Oklahoma City and Sacramento come in as the next highest at 221.5.
With a lot of potential for blowouts and low scoring games, injury news will be especially important on the slate. There are already a few big names out as well as other news we need to be aware of, so let's dive into it:
Injury News to Monitor
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL (knee)/Status: OUT
Porzingis has missed the past nine games and is out again Sunday. Luka Doncic becomes a slightly more elite play in this scenario while Dwight Powell and Willie Cauley-Stein should keep getting minutes.
Darius Garland, CLE (ankle)/Status: OUT
Garland is set to miss a fifth straight contest with an ankle injury. Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman benefit, but neither look appealing on this slate.
Kevin Love, CLE (knee)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Love is questionable after missing the last game with a knee injury. If he's out, look for Dean Wade to start again.
Brandon Ingram, NO (ankle)/Status: DOUBTFUL
Zion Williamson is already likely out for the season with a fractured finger. Now the Pelicans will also likely be without their other star in Ingram. I expect more minutes for Naji Marshall and James Johnson.
Steven Adams, NO (toe)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
New Orleans also lists Adams as questionable, so they could be missing a lot of bodies. If the center is out, we can look to Willy Hernangomez to start.
Miles Bridges, CHA (health and safety protocols)/Status: OUT
Bridges will miss the next 10-14 days after being put in the league's health and safety protocols. It's a huge blow to the Hornets who are currently the 8-seed in the East. He was playing around 30 minutes a game, which could now go to Caleb Martin, Jaden McDaniels and others.
Devonte' Graham, CHA (knee)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Graham could also miss for the Hornets. If he does, I have a lot of interest in Malik Monk and LaMelo Ball.
Wendell Carter Jr., ORL (eye)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
The Magic have an extensive injury report, with five players already ruled out. Carter is at least listed as questionable, so we may get to see him on the court. If he plays, it could hurt Mo Bamba as he's posted back-to-back efforts of 40 or more fantasy points.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL (back)/Status: DOUBTFUL
Kuzma's doubtful status makes the Lakers a very interesting team to target. LeBron James (ankle) and Dennis Schroder (health and safety protocols) have already been ruled out. They could lean heavily on Anthony Davis in this one.
De'Aaron Fox, SAC (health and safety protocols)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Fox returned to the team, but has yet to play since being forced to miss time due to the league's health and safety protocols. Just monitor whether he returns. If he doesn't tonight, Delon Wright should continue filling in with both Fox and Tyrese Haliburton out.
Other injuries to monitor:
Cody Martin, CHA (ankle)/Status: OUT
Terrence Ross, ORL (back)/Status: OUT
Malik Beasley, MIN (hamstring)/Status: OUT
Gordon Hayward, CHA (foot)/Status: OUT
James Ennis, ORL (calf)/Status: OUT
Chuma Okeke, ORL (ankle)/Status: OUT
Michael Carter-Williams (ankle)/Status: OUT
Otto Porter Jr., ORL (foot)/Status: OUT
Josh Jackson, DET (tooth)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Hamidou Diallo, DET (personal)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Alex Caruso, LAL (foot)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Talen Horton-Tucker, LAL (calf)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Cameron Johnson, PHO (wrist)/Status: OUT
Harrison Barnes, SAC (groin)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Ty Jerome, OKC (calf)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Aleksej Pokusevski, OKC (knee)/Status: QUESTIONABLE
Elite Players
Luka Doncic ($11,000) leads the way and it's hard to argue with that. He is an elite producer with Porzingis out and has a ceiling of 80 fantasy points.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,700) is just below him and has struggled of late, but represents a nice bounce-back option against Miami. There is also Nikola Vucevic ($10,600), who's posted back-to-back games with at least 60 fantasy points.
Anthony Davis ($10,300) should be the main source of offense for the Lakers without James, Schroeder or Kuzma. I like getting to him the most here.
Finally, the Ball brothers also have some appeal. LaMelo Ball ($8,600) is now five games back from injury and could be without Devonte' Graham. Lonzo Ball ($8,400) is in a similar situation to Davis where he will be without his most talented teammates. Both offer triple-double upside.
Expected Chalk
I think Naji Marshall ($4,700) will be a popular play with both Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson out. The rookie started in the Pelicans' last contest.
I also think R.J. Hampton ($5,700) could be used a lot with all the Magic players out. Expect a lot of people to go back to Delon Wright ($7,700), although his salary is rising.
Anthony Davis could also be among the chalkier of the elite plays.
Key Value Plays
R.J. Hampton, ORL vs. MIN ($5,700)
Hampton has seen as much court time as starting point guard Cole Anthony despite coming off the bench playing at least 30 minutes in the past four outings while posting 39 or more DraftKings points three times. Hampton also benefits facing a Minnesota defense that is one of the worst in the league. Sign me up.
James Johnson, NO at CHA ($3,800)
There are a plethora of Pelicans out today, which makes Johnson stand out as a great value. He should play around 20-25 minutes and Charlotte's post defense isn't the greatest in the world. If you've been playing NBA DFS all season long, you'll remember how effective Johnson was when the Pelicans experienced similar injury situations. His salary doesn't reflect that Sunday, so jump on him.
Marvin Bagley, SAC vs. OKC ($6,200)
Bagley burned me and I'm sure many others when he only played 19 minutes Friday against San Antonio. Still, the upside is hard to ignore. I'm willing the bet he gets back to playing around 30 minutes and the matchup is great against Oklahoma City. I also think people could still have a sour taste in their mouths from when he scored just eight fantasy points. Let me be clear, Bagley is just a tournament play and the risk is there. But he has potential to pay off big.
Other potential value: Naji Marshall, NO at CHA ($4,700); Malik Monk, CHA at NO ($4,400); Dwayne Bacon, ORL vs. MIN ($5,200)
