It's a tentative 5-game NBA DFS slate tonight and although the horse is already dead, we've got to keep beating it that there's a ton of absences headlining this card.

Instead of focusing on who's out, let's check on who is in as we all navigate the protocols together.

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Pacers (-1.5) @ Heat , O/U 209 7:30 ET

Not much love for Indiana here as just -1.5 favorites even though Miami is still very shorthanded. The Heat have still held opponents to 105 points or less in 7 straight, so Erik Spoelstra is figuring out how to work being a few men down.

Pistons @ Knicks (-9.5), O/U 207 7:30 ET

The Knicks have six guys in health and safety protocols but the Pistons are still the Pistons, losers of 14 of their last 15. Detroit did beat Miami 100-90 on Sunday though.

Trail Blazers (-1) @ Pelicans, O/U 219 8:00 ET

Damian Lillard (hamstring) is questionable for this matchup of teams both on two game winning streaks. Devonte Graham has found his stroke from beyond the arc lately for New Orleans, going 12-22 from three the last two games.

Timberwolves (-1) @ Mavericks, O/U 212.5 8:30 ET

Luka Doncic (ankle) is likely out for the 5th game in a row and Kristaps Porzingis (toe) joins him as questionable on the injury report (among others). Minnesota won this matchup 111-105 on Sunday at home, their fourth straight victory.

Suns (-6.5) @ Lakers, O/U 220 10:00 ET

Highest betting total of the night strangely enough, but then again Phoenix dropped a season high 137 points in Sunday's win over the Hornets (albeit the worst defensive team in the NBA) as Devin Booker returned with 18 points in 26 minutes (35fp).

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Damian Lillard DK $9.8k FD $8.6k @ New Orleans

• Watch the injury report because he's a GTD (hamstring) which could also lower ownership

• Has 43 and 32 real points last two games, taking 19 shots each contest

• Pelicans have allowed 45+ fp to three straight PGs

• Averaged 43 real ppg in three games vs. Pelicans last year (two 70+ fp games)

Cade Cunningham DK $8.6k | FD $7.7k @ Knicks

• Roller coaster trend ready to hit after 4 points on 2-4 shooting on Sunday

• 50+fp in three of six games prior

• Knicks have 8 players on injury report, starting SGs are +130 vs. Knicks last 20 games

• #1 pick playing the first game at Madison Square Garden

Norman Powell DK $6.4k | FD $6.3k @ New Orleans

• Value increases if Damian Lillard (hamstring) doesn't play (+4.38% usage)

• Has 15+ shots in four straight games

• Pelicans last vs. SG last five games, giving up 37+ fp in four of those games

Devonte Graham DK $5.4k | FD $6.4k vs. Portland

• Getting hot from beyond the arc, 12-22 last two games

• Two straight perfect lineups

• Starting PGs have hit 36+fp in three of the past five vs. Portland

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Brandon Ingram DK $8.9k | FD $8.7 vs. Portland

• Solid matchup vs. Trail Blazers #25 defense in points allowed

• 42fp floor in six of the last seven games

• 19+ shots in five of last seven

Saddiq Bey DK $6.5k | FD $5.2k @ New York

• Has been trending up since the Jerami Grant injury, 23+ real points in three straight games

• Matchup play as Knicks have allowed 32+ fp to four straight PFs

• New York has 8 players on the injury report

Tim Hardaway DK $6.1k | FD $6.9k vs. Minnesota

• Had 28 real points on 10-19 shooting (52fp) vs. T'Wolves on Sunday

• Maxi Kleber (illness) and Kristaps Porzingis (toe) may be out, both played in Sunday's matchup (+9.26% usage, +15.87 fp)

• Played 40+ minutes last two games

Josh Hart DK $5.7k | FD $6.6k vs. Portland

• 32fp floor in four of the past five games

• 35+ minutes in three of the last five

• Dillon Brooks has 40+ fp from the SF spot in two of the last three vs. Portland

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Karl-Anthony Towns DK $9.2k | FD $9.9k @ Dallas

• Had 42fp vs. Dallas on Sunday even with just 7 rebounds

• +27% usage in the short sample size without Vanderbilt, Edwards, Okogie, and Prince

• Maxi Kleber had 14 rebounds in Sunday's game but he's out for Dallas (illness), Kristaps Porzingis (toe) also questionable

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You can follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.

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