This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
There's a heavier slate than usual Tuesday with eight games on the schedule. Nine games were originally scheduled, but the Clippers/Lakers game was postponed following the tragic death of Kobe Bryant.
We have some of the NBA's top talent on display, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Trae Young to name a few of the studs in action. The first two games of the night are set to tip at 7:00 PM Eastern time and feature Golden State at Philadelphia and New York at Charlotte. The final matchup will begin at 8:30 Eastern with the Suns taking on the Mavericks.
Here's your friendly 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.
Slate Overview
I've highlighted one game in particular to target on Tuesday's 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.
Washington Wizards at Milwaukee Bucks (Projected Total: 240.0)
This matchup jumps off the screen, as it'll feature one of the worst defenses in the league (Washington) taking on one of the most explosive offenses on their home court in Milwaukee. The Bucks lead all teams in scoring to this point, averaging 119.3 points per game on the campaign. As for the Wizards, they put up 115.3 points on a nightly basis, though they also allow an NBA-worst 120.6 per contest. Look for Giannis and company to feast Tuesday night.
Positional Breakdown
With 16 teams in action Tuesday night there should be plenty of opportunities to differentiate your lineups, though you'll also want to target some of the bigger names to start. I'll take you through each position, highlighting the depth at each position along with a few value plays to target.
PG: Luka Doncic and Trae Young are the top two point guards, with Doncic drawing the more favorable matchup. Eric Bledsoe and Terry Rozier, priced at $6,100, are a couple of value plays to target.
SG: Bradley Beal is priced at $8,800 as the top shooting guard, and I have a feeling he'll be well worth the salary in a game that's going to see plenty of scoring. From a strategic standpoint, it might make sense to roll with a few mid-tier/value plays here, however, without a clear star at the top. Khris Middleton and Norman Powell are two names to watch.
SF: Of course it's hard to miss Giannis on this slate, especially with a mouth-watering matchup Tuesday night. I would recommend spending your cash on the reigning MVP, and perhaps pairing him with someone like Will Barton or Kelly Oubre in the mid-to-low price range. You also shouldn't sleep on Brandon Ingram, who has struggled of late but will have a good chance to bounce back against Cleveland.
PF: I see another opportunity to roll with a mid-tier player and a value play here. With big names at point guard, small forward and center, it would be smart to be stingy with your cash. John Collins or Kevin Love are enticing options in the mid-tier range, while Zion Williamson and Serge Ibaka are the hot hands to ride lower down on the board.
C: With a steep dropoff in price between the top two options, it wouldn't be a bad idea to roll with Jokic ($10,100) or Joel Embiid ($9,000), though Embiid is questionable with a hand injury. However, if you want to add additional star power elsewhere, Jonas Valanciunas ($6,600) and Tristan Thompson ($5,500) are decent choices.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Joel Embiid, PHI
Embiid is questionable with a left finger/hand injury.
Hollis-Jefferson is questionable with a sprained right ankle.
Patrick McCaw, TOR
McCaw is questionable for Tuesday's game against Atlanta due to a broken nose.
Jayson Tatum, BOS
Tatum is doubtful for Tuesday's matchup with Miami with a right groin strain.
Kendrick Nunn, MIA
Nunn was held out of Monday's game with a left Achilles injury and his status remains in question for Tuesday.
George Hill, MIL
Hill is being considered probable for Tuesday's game against Washington with right hamstring soreness.
Jae Crowder, MEM
Crowder is doubtful with right knee soreness.
Ricky Rubio, PHO
Rubio is a game-time decision for Tuesday due to a right ankle injury.
Elite Players
There are four players on this slate valued at $10K or above: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,800), Luka Doncic ($11,000), Nikola Jokic ($10,100) and Trae Young ($10,000). That means there are stars at point guard, small forward and center, something to make note of as you select your lineups. As mentioned earlier, it could be beneficial to spend big at these three spots and going with mid-tier and value plays at the other two positions.
Aside from the top four players on the slate, Ben Simmons ($9,800), Joel Embiid ($9,000), Bradley Beal ($8,800) and Devin Booker ($8,700) are intriguing names in the next tier. Jimmy Butler ($8,500), Brandon Ingram ($8,200) and Kemba Walker ($8,000) round out the $8K group.
Expected Chalk
As is the norm, the superstars on the slate will make up a good chunk of the expected chalk. Giannis and Doncic are especially appetizing given their respective matchups. Al Horford ($6,600) could also be a popular play if Embiid remains out with a finger injury -- he's averaging 32.4 minutes and 13.2 points over his last five games.
It'll also be worth monitoring the Celtics' injury situation, as Gordon Hayward ($6,400) and Jaylen Brown ($6,200) could both be in store for more opportunities if Tatum remains sidelined. Daniel Theis ($5,200) also stands to benefit, narrowly missing a double-double Sunday against New Orleans with Tatum out of commission.
Key Values
Duncan Robinson, MIA vs. BOS ($4,100)
Robinson has seen plenty of playing time in January, averaging 30.7 minutes to go along with 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 12 games. This combination of playing time and scoring is impressive for a player priced just over $4K, and he plays a position that would be smart to buy low at regardless. Robinson has put up 25-plus FanDuel points in back-to-back contests against two formidable opponents, the Clippers and the Magic.
Eric Paschall, GS at PHI ($4,700)
I was surprised to see Paschall priced so low on this slate, especially following the departure of Willie Cauley-Stein to the Mavericks. Paschall is receiving plenty of playing time of late, averaging 29.3 minutes along with 14.9 points and 6.6 rebounds over his last seven games despite making just two starts. The power forward has the chance to fly under the radar Tuesday night, especially as a bench player against the Sixers.
Other likely lower-owned value plays to consider: Josh Hart, $4,400; De'Andre Hunter, $4,400; Dorian Finney-Smith, $4,400; Tyler Herro, $4,300; JJ Redick, $4,100
