INJURIES
ATL Trae Young (finger) - OUT
Bogdan Bogdanovic ($6,300) is likely to join the starting lineup in Young's absence, and Dejounte Murray ($8,200) is usually a great elite pivot when Young is sidelined.
NOP Brandon Ingram (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
NOP Zion Williamson (foot) - QUESTIONABLE
NOP CJ McCollum (ankle) - OUT
There's a good chance both Ingram and Williamson will be available, but Jordan Hawkins($5,400) is worth considering with McCollum out.
DEN Jamal Murray (leg) - QUESTIONABLE
Murray is at risk of missing a second straught game, where Reggie Jackson ($5,400) would once again be in line for a start. I would rather take Michael Porter ($6,600) here, especially when you consider Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's potential absence.
POR Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) - OUT
POR Scoot Henderson (adductor) - OUT
Shaedon Sharpe (abdomen) is likely done for the season, so the Trail Blazers will be looking for another impact player to step up. They'll be very short-handed on Sunday, so you can expect a heavy load for Anfernee Simons ($7,600). Dalano Banton ($3,800) could also be a bargain-bin option to consider.
ELITE PLAYERS
We only have four players at 10k and above, and I think we're safe if we avoid all of them. For my money, Kawhi Leonard ($8,900) is the first elite off the board in a matchup I've already highlighted. Teammates James Harden ($8,700) and Paul George ($8,100) are also worth considering. Miles Bridges ($8,800) faces the short-handed Trail Blazers, and he's expected to once again lead the team in scoring.
I like Orlando a bit more than usual against the Hawks, so Paolo Banchero ($8,700) is definitely worth a look. I'm also looking at Chet Holmgren ($8,100) as an elite center against the Rockets.
Also consider: De'Aaron Fox, SAC ($9,700) @ LAC
EXPECTED CHALK AND OTHER TARGETS
Lauri Markkanen, UTA ($7,900) vs. SAS
We'll follow the Utah narrative and select the first Jazz player. Markkanen almost exactly matched 5x value in his last game against Charlotte, and I expect he'll fare even better as he rounds back into form against the Spurs. I'm also set to use Markkanen in 100 percent of my lineups. Collin Sexton ($6,700) will be my second favorite player from Utah, followed by John Collins ($6,600) and Jordan Clarkson ($6,200).
DeMar DeRozan, CHI ($7,800) @ NOP
Though we aren't sure about Ingram and Williamson, the switch at point guard may make the Pelicans less effective - and that's where DeRozan could take advantage. He played admirably against a tough Boston defense in his last outing, so an FDFP total over 40 is definitely possible.
Jerami Grant, POR ($7,300) vs. CHA
Simons won't be able to hold the team together by himself. And even with Bridges a better overall target on the other side of this matchup, I'm confident Grant will get his share. He posted 39 FDFP against Denver in his last game, and I believe he's gearing up for a strong end to the season.
Jeremy Sochan, SAS ($6,400) @ UTA
What I like best about Sochan is his unique eligibility at PG and PF. He's also a great alternative to Devin Vassell ($7,400) at $1,000 more. Even though I'm smashing Utah, I'll also be sprinkling Sochan into around 30 percent of my lineups.
Also consider: Coby White, CHI ($7,500) @ NOP