Orlando Magic @ Toronto Raptors

Total: 218

TOR -9.0

Magic

Jonathan Isaac had been Orlando’s most consistent player for the last month before struggling against the Bulls Friday. That snapped a streak of nine consecutive games with at least 26 fantasy points. Nikola Vucevic is averaging 22.0 points, 18.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in two games against Toronto this season, but he should have a tougher time against Marc Gasol. Aaron Gordon has at least 32 fantasy points in three straight games and he had 31 fantasy points in his only game against Toronto. Terrence Ross has struggled against his former team, but both he and Evan Fournier are usually threats for 40 fantasy points every time out. Fournier has been more consistent of late, with at least 29 fantasy points in four straight games. If you need a punt play Sunday, Khem Birch has scored at least 14 fantasy points in eight consecutive games.

Raptors

It is hard to understand why the Raptors were only nine point favorites at home to the Magic before Kawhi Leonard was ruled out. The Raptors are without backup point guard Fred VanVleet, but they should have a full team otherwise. Even with Kawhi out, they should probably still win easily at home, where they are 25-5.

It will be interesting to see if Marc Gasol enters the starting lineup in this game to match up with Nikola Vucevic. Gasol is averaging just 19.3 MPG since joining Toronto, with 8.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 steals in that time. While his price is down, I’m still not sure I want to pay it if he is coming off the bench.

If Gasol does start, it would likely be in place of Serge Ibaka, who has been great with  Gasol in the mix. Ibaka has four straight double-doubles since the Gasol trade, though it certainly helps that he has played the Wizards, Nets and Knicks in that span. In a deeper slate I might consider fading Ibaka even if he remains in the starting lineup.

Kyle Lowry has been surprisingly consistent of late, and has even begun to shoot the ball better. Lowry has at least 32 fantasy points in six consecutive games, and he is a must-play with Kawhi out. O.G. Anunoby played 26 minutes the last time Kawhi sat, and he could play significantly more than that with FredVanVleet out as well. Jeremy Lin is averaging 9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 22.0 minutes in two games with Toronto, and he is a fine replacement for VanVleet, at least offensively.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Denver Nuggets

Total: 234.5

DEN -8.5

Clippers

Like the Nuggets, the Clippers have a lot of depth, and it is difficult to predict where the fantasy points will come from in any given matchup. Unlike the Nuggets, the Clippers are cheap enough to make them attractive fantasy plays in a GPP. Danilo Gallinari has scored 41.5, 37.5, 21.25 and 39.0 fantasy points in his last four games, but the standout cash game play is Montrezl Harrell. Harrell has at least 33 fantasy points in five of his last six games.

Nuggets

The Nuggets are finally healthy after the All-Star break, and it is pretty remarkable they own the second best record in the Western Conference with so many injuries. Paul Millsap appears to benefit from having so much talent around him, averaging 21.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 2.5 steals in 31.5 minutes over his last two games.

Only three teams have allowed more fantasy points to opposing centers than the Clippers this season, and Nikola Jokic is averaging 44.8 fppg against the Clippers despite playing just 27.2 minutes per game. Jokic is averaging nearly seven more fantasy points at home this season, and he has at least 50 fantasy points in five of his last nine games.

This game has the highest total of the day, and it isn’t even close. That being said, if there is one Nugget to fade, it is Gary Harris. He hasn’t topped 25.5 fantasy points in any of his last nine games, and I need to see it before I’ll believe it.

San Antonio Spurs @ New York Knicks

Total: 223

SA -9

Spurs

DeMar DeRozan’s price is back up after he dropped 23 points, four rebounds and eight assists on his former team Friday. He had mostly struggled prior to that, and I don’t think he is safe enough or has enough upside to justify paying for him, even if a short slate. Derrick White, on the other hand, could be worth a shot after he played 20 minutes in his return from a foot injury Friday. It would help if we got news that his minutes restriction was increased or eliminated. If we learn White does still have a restriction, Patty Mills and (to a lesser extent) Bryn Forbes are in play.

Rudy Gay played just 24 minutes Friday, which makes me a bit nervous even though he finished with 33 fantasy points. LaMarcus Aldridge is probable with an illness, but he should have his way with whichever youngsters try to guard him Sunday.

Knicks

DeAndre Jordan is listed as doubtful, but we unfortunately probably won’t know who is starting in the Knicks frontcourt until after lineup lock for both sites. Luke Kornet has started the last two games at power forward, though he played just 11 minutes Friday. My guess is he stays in the starting lineup and plays more minutes, but he could just as easily fall out of the rotation altogether with Mario Hezonja logging heavy minutes at power forward.

Noah Vonleh played 25 minutes off the bench Friday, and while he had a quiet eight points and five rebounds, he feels like the safest of the Knicks’ bigs. It also doesn’t hurt that he costs just $3800 on FanDuel. Mitchell Robinson had been solid before going scoreless in 13 minutes Friday. He is by far the most expensive of these players, especially on FanDuel, but he has the advantage of being center eligible there.

If you’re looking at the Knicks’ backcourt, Damyean Dotson has been surprisingly solid of late, though Alonzo offers similar upside at a discount.