This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
FanDuel's eight-game Sunday slate begins earlier than normal with a 6:00 p.m. EST first tipoff, and we've got a loaded player pool full of DFS action as the NFL cools down for the day.
SLATE OVERVIEW
For the latest spreads and over-unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
We honored the marquee BOS/CLE matchup with a wide array of choices, which is well-deserved considering the high total and pace. We may have foolishly overlooked talent from Clippers-Spurs, but you can't endorse everyone!
INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Sunday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
DAL Luka Doncic (wrist) - OUT
DAL Klay Thompson (foot) - OUT
DAL Naji Marshall (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
It's a back-to-back for the Mavs, though I still expect solid numbers from Quentin Grimes ($4,800) and P.J. Washington ($7,300). Kyrie Irving ($9,300) will also continue as the elite play while Doncic is out.
NOP Brandon Ingram (calf) - OUT
NOP Zion Williamson (hamstring) - OUT
NOP Herbert Jones (shoulder) - OUT
NOP Jordan Hawkins (back) - OUT
NOP Jose Alvarado (hamstring) - OUT
CJ McCollum ($7,500) and Trey Murphy ($6,700) are my preferred targets for the depleted Pelicans. Dejounte Murray is still a couple of games away from returning to form.
BOS Kristaps Porzingis (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
BOS Jrue Holiday (groin) - QUESTIONABLE
BOS Al Horford (toe) - QUESTIONABLE
BOS Derrick White (foot) - QUESTIONABLE
Boston will be on the first leg of a back-to-back, so it's unclear if any of these players will be out Sunday, Monday or both. If Porzingis and Horford aren't available, Neemias Queta ($4,200) would be in line to start. The frontcourt issues will give Payton Pritchard ($6,100) another opportunity to produce.
LAL D'Angelo Russell (illness) - DOUBTFUL
LAL Austin Reaves (pelvis) - QUESTIONABLE
Dalton Knecht ($5,500) and Cam Reddish ($3,700) will play larger roles if these absences hold.
POR Jerami Grant (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
POR Scoot Henderson (quad) - QUESTIONABLE
POR Robert Williams (concussion) - OUT
POR Donovan Clingan (knee) - OUT
There are some questions about who will spell Deandre Ayton, so I won't endorse a pivot. I expect Dalano Banton ($4,900) to emerge as a solid option from the second unit, and we'll see more from Deni Avdija ($6,600) if Grant can't go.
ELITE PLAYERS
Five players sit atop the player pool with salaries above $10k. Of the group, I think Anthony Davis ($11,200) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,900) face the best matchups, though we'd need to have solid budget pivots in mind to offset their lofty salaries.
I like several spots in the $9k range, but Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,500) is my favorite play at this level against the shorthanded Pelicans. Scottie Barnes ($9,100) is also valued well against Miami.
Boston's frontline is a bit depleted, but Jarrett Allen's ($7,500) lower salary will make him the preferred target over Evan Mobley ($8,200) in the 8k range. Alperen Sengun ($8,800) is also a worthwhile center at that tier.
Also consider: De'Aaron Fox, SAC ($9,000) vs. SAS
EXPECTED CHALK AND OTHER TARGETS
RJ Barrett, TOR ($7,700) vs. MIA
Even with Barnes back in action, Barrett's numbers haven't dropped off. He retains a role with the first unit and is producing at a rapid clip by averaging 22.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists across his last five games.
Tyler Herro, MIA ($7,400) @ TOR
Herro continues to be one of Miami's best offensive options, though he and Jimmy Butler are alternating team-leading totals. I'll take Herro at the $600 discount due to a less shaky production floor.
Darius Garland, CLE ($7,200) vs. BOS
Garland almost always picks up the slack when Donovan Mitchell struggles from the floor, and that was the case Friday as he balled out with 29 points. Mitchell is bound to regain form, yet Garland is less expensive and a viable option with both Boston backcourt starters possibly out. The potential playoff preview will be the most watchable game on the slate, and we've already endorsed the Cavs' frontcourt.
Anfernee Simons, POR ($6,300) vs. DAL
It's hard to ignore Simons' numbers at this salary point. Although his floor is less dependable than other guards we've mentioned, his sharpshooting and ball distribution skills hold plenty of upside. We should once again see solid assist totals with Deandre Ayton back at full strength.
Also consider: Amen Thompson, HOU ($6,700) vs. OKC
VALUE PLAYS
Budget options are littered throughout the injury segment, so be sure to look it over again as you begin lineup construction. I'll now identify more preferred options below the $6k threshold, with options for every position:
PG Cason Wallace, OKC ($4,200) @ HOU
SG Ja'Kobe Walter, TOR ($4,000) vs. MIA
SG/SF Duncan Robinson, MIA ($4,300) @ TOR
PF Jabari Smith, HOU ($5,500) vs. OKC
C Yves Missi, NOP ($5,900) @ NYK
