NBA DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups, Injuries & More Today: Sunday Playbook

It's a fact that Luka Doncic has played poorly from a fantasy perspective of late. It's also a fact that if he does Luka Doncic things on a two-game slate, you need the raw points he puts up to cash or possibly win a tournament. Orlando is good defensively but Doncic can shred any defense out there.

Look at Young's bad shooting nights and then look at the fantasy productions. There are basically no holes in his armor. Twice in three games he's shotten poorly and yet put up 47+ DKP. In the three games, he's hot well and scored 30+ points, he's gone for 59, 71, and 68.5 DKP. ATL is extremely short-handed and a pivot to Young off Doncic for cheaper likely will be popular.

It's a very small sample, but Jalen Suggs' usage without Paolo Banchero is eye-popping. How's a team-leading 31% USG for ya? He also sits at 1.5 FP/min without Banchero. NOT TOO BAD! 

Obviously, the price is on the rise for Alvarado, but the health of the Pelicans hasn't improved any. They're still short-handed. In two games since entering the starting lineup, Jose Alvarado has topped 32 minutes and 35 DKP. We should expect more of the same today.

The Pelicans are down four of their top-six players arguably and Ingram needs to continue to step up like he did against the Pacers. He dropped a 50 bomb for the second time this year and without Murray & McCollum this year, he's averaging 1.2 FP/min and has a 28.3% USG.

The recipe for success lately has been fading Luka Doncic for Kyrie Irving. Irving's price has been ridiculously low and has been producing at an extremely high clip while it's the complete opposite for Doncic. Although Doncic's averages are better, Irving's 1.18 FP/min is nothing to scoff at and not too far behind Doncic at 1.35. They're separated by 2.5K or higher on both sites.

At this time, it seems likely that Jordan Hawkins will continue to play through this back issue he has but we'll see as he's listed as questionable. Without Murray, McCollum, and Jones this year, Hawkins has a 23.5% USG. He's put up at least 30 DKP in four of his last five games, too.

After playing 30 minutes in his game post-illness, Wagner was pacing for 34 but was removed with the rest of the starters due to the blowout. His 1.18 FP/min without Paolo Banchero is second on the team and his 26.4% USG is third, but both are great marks.

Although Dyson Daniels could return here, it seems as if the Hawks are OK extending David Roddy even if he doesn't start. He was extended last game due to his Zaccherie Risacher's struggles, but he's scored 21+ DKP in all four games this year and is averaging north of 1 FP/min.

The shot volume last game was…something. Just 10 shots? Why? He was great peripherally and the minutes were amazing per usual. I'm more than happy getting to Johnson, but the production has been up and down to start the year.

Of anyone outside of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Washington has the most secure minutes, especially with Maxi Kleber out. He didn't shoot a lot last game, but came through with 30 DKP for a third straight game because of everything else he did. He's grabbed 8+ boards in three straight games and has notched some massive steals/blocks games too.

It's hard to predict on a game-to-game basis who's going to be the guy in the Hawks center room that is extended, but Capela has been the better per minute producer this year up to this point. Capela is averaging 1.01 FP/min.

If Carter plays, he's been a very solid this year averaging .95 FP/min, but there is a caveat to this. He's only played ONE minute this year without Paolo Banchero, so how easy has Banchero made things for Carter? We'll see, but in four of five games this year he's scored at least 28 DKP. If he doesn't play, Moritz Wagner is in for a big-time role once again.

Foul trouble got in Dereck Lively's way last game but it was the first time we saw Lively not get extended this year. The Mavs rolled with Naji Marshall and PJ Washington in the front court to close. They'll use a traditional center in this one down the stretch as long as Lively stays out of foul trouble. He's averaging 1.11 DKP/min this year.

The Pelicans made a shift in their starting lineup last game moving Yves Missi into the starting center spot over Daniel Theis. He played a LOT more than Theis and has been very productive this year on the floor. He's averaged .97 DKP/min and 1.04 FD/min. In his start, he played 26 minutes and has room for a little more too.

ADDED - Green is confirmed as the fifth starter for the Pelicans. I like going in this direction today for value. He fits like a glove and has 30-minute upside.

ADDED - With how short-handed the Pelicans are and how depleted they truly are, it makes sense why the field clicks Cain's name and that he's going to see solid run now that Zion Williamson is ruled out.