We have an eight-game main slate to peruse on DraftKings, and I'll be using RotoWire's trusty NBA DFS projections to identify the best endorsements for your DFS builds. There are a couple of teams we need to monitor closer to tip-off (Washington, Memphis, Dallas) to get a better idea of where we can exploit absences and potentially find additional value, but most of my endorsements are safe calls well before the 7:00 p.m. ET deadline.
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DraftKings Main Slate NBA Games Today
We have heavy exposure to the Magic tonight, and we also strived to get the Timberwolves as involved as possible against the Grizzlies. The matchup between the Raptors and Knicks is conspicuously absent from our builds, which is interesting given my usual DFS bias to both teams. SAS/PHI is another game you can explore a little further for value, as my endorsements were limited to elite talent in that contest.
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NBA Injuries Today
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 Tuesday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
CLE Donovan Mitchell (groin) - OUT
CLE Dean Wade (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Wade should be able to take the floor, but a mixture of Sam Merrill ($5,400) and Jaylon Tyson ($5,700) will take over duties for Mitchell during his absence.
WAS Kyshawn George (elbow) - QUESTIONABLE
WAS Tristan Vukcevic (thigh) - OUT
WAS Alex Sarr (hamstring) - OUT
WAS Trae Young (knee) - OUT
Washington's options under the basket are minimal, but Will Riley ($5,600) looks like the guy to target if you choose this route. George has successfully played through his injury.
DAL Cooper Flagg (foot) - DOUBTFUL
DAL Naji Marshall (finger) - OUT
DAL P.J. Washington (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
DAL Klay Thompson (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
I'll work with the assumption that Washington and Thompson will play. I'm not thrilled with pivots for Dallas tonight, so I will stay away from an endorsement.
MIA Davion Mitchell (shoulder) - QUESTIONABLE
MIA Norman Powell (groin) - OUT
Tyler Herro ($7,300) should assuage most concerns about the backcourt, and Pelle Larsson ($5,400) will continue to produce with Powell out.
OKC Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) - OUT
OKC Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) - OUT
OKC Jalen Williams (hamstring) - OUT
OKC Ajay Mitchell (ankle) - OUT
The Thunder will sit SGA for injury management, leaving Cason Wallace ($5,600) to fill his role. Jaylin Williams ($5,100) is a pivot who will get a minor boost, and Isaiah Joe ($4,600) should also make an impact.
MEM Ty Jerome (thigh) - QUESTIONABLE
MEM Santi Aldama (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
MEM Cedric Coward (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
MEM Ja Morant (elbow) - OUT
Of the questionable tags, Jerome seems to have the highest probability for return. Pivot options for the Grizzlies are GG Jackson ($6,300) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper ($5,000).
PHI Joel Embiid (oblique) - OUT
As usual, Andre Drummond ($5,000) will fill in for Embiid.
Elite Players
We have three healthy players at the top of the player pool, each with a salary above $10k. Victor Wembanyama ($10,700) and Tyrese Maxey ($10,100) are both viable tonight, as their salaries are low enough to make 5x value possible. Cade Cunningham's ($11,000) is a bit too high to consider. If I had to pick one player in the group, it would be Wembanyama against the Embiid-less Sixers.
Paolo Banchero ($9,400) is my favorite player in the 9k range, as the Wizards are shorthanded in the frontcourt tonight. I also expect James Harden ($9,300) to pick up the slack in Cleveland with Mitchell sidelined. The $8k range has eight players to choose from, and we project massive value for Chet Holmgren ($8,500) at this salary. LaMelo Ball ($8,500) also looks reasonable against the Mavericks, and I'll run with Bam Adebayo ($8,300) against the Nets without hesitation.
Expected Chalk and Midrange Targets
Desmond Bane, ORL ($7,600) vs. WAS
I'm noticing heavy exposure to the Magic in my builds, but I don't think I'm wrong in my assessment. Although the Wizards are doing their best to plug the holes in their decimated lineup, they've faltered against strong opponents. Bane is about as dependable as you can get at his position, and is worth the slight upspend in this exploitable spot against the Wizards.
Brandon Miller, CHA ($7,500) vs. DAL
I already mentioned Ball, but there's plenty of production to go around against the Mavericks, who could be woefully shorthanded or at least a step slow with a litany of injuries to contend with. Miller may not get much resistance against Dallas, a team he handled with ease back in January.
Rudy Gobert, MIN ($7,000) vs. MEM
Although some may view Gobert's salary as a bit high, I would disagree in this spot against the Grizzlies. Gobert is still a master defender, and he should be able to give Prosper and Taylor Hendricks headaches under the basket. I typically use big men for DraftKings' utility position, and that's exactly where I have Gobert in several lineups.
Value Plays
Donte DiVincenzo, MIN ($5,500) vs MEM
I want to get Timberwolves involved without breaking the bank, especially since I chose to fade Anthony Edwards up top. DiVincenzo joins Gobert as a cost-saving measure against the shorthanded Grizzlies, and he's shown the ability to surpass 5x at this salary.
Wendell Carter, ORL ($5,400) vs. WAS
We already mentioned Banchero, but it would be irresponsible not to include Carter as a smash option against the Wizards. If Banchero becomes a difficult fit, Carter is a great pivot to give you exposure to the shorthanded Washington frontcourt.
Collin Sexton, CHI ($5,300) vs. OKC
Although Chicago's first unit is in decent shape, Jaden Ivey's (knee) absence opens up things for Sexton in the rotation. He's coming off a nice 22-point game against the Bucks, and his dual eligibility at SG and SF is a great plus.
Alex Caruso, OKC ($3,900) @ CHI
Gilgeous-Alexander's absence may require more for Caruso, and he's an excellent way to get below the salary cap if you've spent up at other positions. Although his eligibility is limited to SF, DraftKings' lineup scheme still allows plenty of room to roster him. If you wanted to get more unique, Jared McCain ($3,800) is flying under the radar and has impressed when SGA is on the bench.
