This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Tuesday's slate is made up of six games, with the first pair of contests set to tip at 7:00 PM Eastern time -- the Lakers will square off against the Pacers and the Kings will face the Hornets. We'll get to see some of the league's best in action to end the night, as Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers take on the Suns in Los Angeles.
Although we're months into the season, here's another quick reminder that FanDuel has gone back to their old format, counting all nine of your player's scores within your lineup. With each selection counting towards your score, it'll be important to make each choice count.
Let's take a closer look at Tuesday's matchups.
Slate Overview
Here are a few matchups to either target or avoid on this slate, based on FanDuel Sportsbook's projected scoring total. It can be beneficial to add players to your lineup who are expected to play in favorable scoring environments, especially if you're having a difficult time choosing between two value plays.
Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz (Projected Total: 206.5)
Both the Magic and the Jazz rank near the bottom of the league in scoring average. Orlando is 28th with 103.5 ppg, while Utah is 22nd with 107.0 points per contest. The Magic are coming off an impressive 130-119 win over the Pelicans, but they've been held to 107 or fewer points as a team in four of their last five matchups. Utah has a shot at getting Mike Conley (hamstring) back in time for Tuesday's tilt, but even his return likely won't push this one into the category of a high-scoring affair. The Kings at the Hornets could also be another game to avoid, with the projected total sitting at 207.5.
Brooklyn Nets at New Orleans Pelicans (Projected Total: 230.0)
Both of these squads are in the top half of the league in team scoring average. Brooklyn is putting up 111.9 points per game, while New Orleans is ranked ninth (112.8 PPG). The Pelicans have plenty of offensive firepower, starting with Brandon Ingram (25.0 PPG) and Jrue Holiday (19.4 PPG). The return of Derrick Favors has also been a welcome sight. The Nets will still be without Kyrie Irving (shoulder) and potentially Caris LeVert (thumb), but they'll still have plenty of weapons with which to rack up points.
Positional Breakdown
With six games on the slate, it won't be too difficult to differentiate your lineups Tuesday night. I'll take you through each position, highlighting the depth of each position and a few value plays to keep an eye out for.
PG: Trae Young is the only point guard valued at $10K, and we see quite a dropoff in the players that follow. Ricky Rubio and Spencer Dinwiddie are the next best options, checking in at $8,300. Lonzo Ball and Elfrid Payton are two cheaper plays to highlight here.
SG: Donovan Mitchell is the top choice at shooting guard, though Jrue Holiday ($8,300) is another solid play in what's projected to be a high-scoring affair. Buddy Hield and Devonte' Graham are a pair of mid-tier plays, while Bogdan Bogdanovic and Jeremy Lamb are options on the cheaper side.
SF: There's plenty of talent to be found at small forward, though there is a lack of depth. LeBron James, Paul George and Brandon Ingram are the first three players available, all above $8K. Jonathan Isaac and Kelly Oubre Jr. are two options for under $7K, and they're each averaging over 30 FanDuel points per contest this season.
PF: Anthony Davis is priced at $10,700 for Tuesday's slate, though he's listed as questionable due to an ankle injury and could be a risky play if his status isn't cleared up early in the day. Luckily, the Lakers tip off at 7:00 PM Eastern, meaning we should know his availability before lineup lock. Kawhi Leonard will be a safer choice if you're going to roll with a player above $10K at power forward. Domantas Sabonis is a cheaper option in the mid-tier range, and he's averaging an impressive 40.85 FD points per game.
C: Rudy Gobert headlines this position, although Nikola Vucevic is a sneaky choice for $7,900. Vucevic is playing just his second contest since an 11-game absence, but he logged 29 minutes and finished with 34.8 FD points in Sunday's game against the Pelicans. Deandre Ayton is also an intriguing option at center ($7,900), as he'll be playing in his first game since being slapped with a 25-game suspension. The expectation is that Ayton will immediately resume his role as the team's starting center, though it's unclear if he'll be on a minutes restriction. Cody Zeller and Myles Turner are two safe options at this position for an affordable price (both under $6K).
Injury Situations to Monitor
Anthony Davis, LAL
Davis is back on the injury report Tuesday, but this time it's for an ankle injury. He's being considered questionable, though his availability should be cleared up following morning shootaround.
Rajon Rondo, LAL
Rondo is probable due to a left ankle sprain. Unless something changes in morning shootaround, he should come off the bench in his usual role.
De'Aaron Fox, SAC
Fox is officially being considered questionable with an ankle sprain, but head coach Luke Walton noted that he expects Fox to be cleared to return to action. He's missed the last 17 games while on the mend, so a minutes restriction is possible if he does play.
Nicolas Batum, CHR
Batum isn't expected to take the court Tuesday due to a sore left hand. Miles Bridges and Cody Martin could see more minutes as a result.
Marvin Williams, CHR
Williams is on track to play despite knee soreness. The team should clear up his status closer to tipoff.
Kevin Huerter, ATL
Huerter is a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup in New York due to a shoulder injury. Cam Reddish could draw a spot start if Huerter is unable to go.
Jabari Parker, ATL
Parker was added to the injury report Monday night with an ankle issue, but he's being considered probable. Expect the Duke product to gain clearance prior to tipoff.
Caris LeVert, BRO
LeVert has missed the last 17 games while on the mend from thumb surgery, though he traveled with the team to New Orleans and could make his return Tuesday. Expect clarification following shootaround.
Mike Conley, UTA
Conley has missed the last five matchups due to a hamstring injury, but the team expects him back Tuesday against the Magic.
Devin Booker, PHO
Booker missed Monday's game against Portland with a forearm bruise, and his status is currently unknown heading into Tuesday. He'll be considered questionable until further notice.
Patrick Beverley, LAC
Beverley will be a game-time call due to a concussion. He's missed the last two contests as a result of the injury.
Lou Williams, LAC
Williams has been held out of the last two games while nursing a calf injury. How he fares in shootaround will determine his availability.
Elite Players
There are four players up for grabs for $10K or above Tuesday night: LeBron James ($11,000), Anthony Davis ($10,700), Kawhi Leonard ($10,000) and Trae Young ($10,000). These stars will likely be in high demand on this six-game slate, and if Davis is unable to take the floor, the other three could see their ownership rise substantially.
If you're looking to save a few bucks, there are also a handful of strong options in the next tier. Paul George ($9,600), Donovan Mitchell ($8,700), Rudy Gobert ($8,600) and Brandon Ingram ($8,400) can all provide plenty of DFS production for your lineup.
Expected Chalk
As per usual, the stars on Tuesday's slate will be chalky plays, especially the players valued at $10K or above listed above. LeBron and Davis have been a dominant duo so far this season, though Kawhi isn't far behind, averaging 25.8 PPG on the year. Young is an up and coming star who could see his price settle into the $10K range as the season progresses.
The injury picture could also play a role in Tuesday's chalk. Cam Reddish may be a popular selection if Kevin Huerter (shoulder) is unable to take the court. Reddish should step into a starting role in this scenario.
Moving on to the Nets, Garrett Temple is a name to watch for with Caris LeVert's status up in the air. Even if he's able to return from a 17-game absence, LeVert's minutes figure to be limited. Temple is averaging 13.9 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds over his last seven starts.
Key Values
Elfrid Payton, NY vs. ATL ($5,500)
Payton has been seeing plenty of work since returning to health, averaging 27.3 minutes to go along with 13.3 points, 6.7 assists and 5.0 rebounds over his last three contests. He also posted his first double-double of the season Sunday against the Nuggets, scoring 10 points and dishing out 11 dimes. The way Payton can contribute across the board makes him an enticing selection for Tuesday's slate, and his recent usage certainly doesn't hurt. He'll take the court against at Atlanta defense that's giving up 52.5 FanDuel points per game this season to opposing point guards.
T.J. Warren, IND vs. LAL ($4,800):
Warren is coming off a quiet performance Sunday against the Hornets, finishing with six points, four boards and two assists over 26 minutes, but he's averaging 26.2 FD points on the season and is more than capable of putting up 30-plus points on any given night, as he's shown earlier in the year. Sunday's game was one of his worst showings of the season, so I expect him to bounce back Tuesday night, even if he's facing a tough Lakers defense. Warren has been a solid option in the month of December, putting up 17.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 30.5 minutes (eight games).
