SAS @ TOR: Ask any Raptors fan for a prediction on this one. Toronto will show flashes of excellence, surprise their opponent, then find a way — incompetent officiating, a defensive breakdown or an ill-advised shot — to lose a heartbreaker in the final seconds. You can use Kyle Lowry with confidence, Andrea Bargnani is coming off his best game yet and Jonas Valanciunas has the size, skill and determination to keep improving. The Spurs, with both Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Stephen Jackson (hand) sidelined, are relying very heavily on their elderly Big Three; starters Tony Parker and Tim Duncan have been superb, while Manu Ginobili is playing more (and better) minutes as the sixth man.
POR @ BRK: The fantasy-friendly Blazers may not win this, but they usually entertain. Damian Lillard is no ordinary rookie. Absolutely on fire the last five games, he’s now shooting 47.3% from the floor while averaging over 20 points per game. He’ll face the wily veteran Deron Williams in a great PG battle. Nicolas Batum has cooled off a bit of late and will face the Gerald Wallace defensive treatment today, but Wesley Matthews had 30 on Friday and could be the go-to wing scorer again. Brook Lopez can get his 20 points against anyone, but he also inflates the totals of his opponents, so LaMarcus Aldridge is a particularly strong start today.
BOS @ ORL: You’re entitled to play a hunch on Glen Davis in daily leagues and he’s a must-start in Roto or H2H against his former team. Big Baby, averaging 14.9 PTS and 8.9 REB, has six double-doubles already and PF is kind of a weak spot for Boston, unless Brandon Bass gets inspired against the man he was traded for. Obviously, Rajon Rondo is a lot better than Jameer Nelson and Paul Pierce could have a field day against rookie Moe Harkless or whoever else the Magic tries at SF.
PHO @ PHI: How does a team bounce back from a crushing double-OT defeat the night before? That’s the question for the 76ers tonight. Under any other circumstances, I’d say they were a cinch against the Suns, who have made major changes to their lineup. Markieff Morris is the new starting PF; Luis Scola has not done anything since his demotion to earn back the job. Shannon Brown now starts at SG, with the disappointing Jared Dudley coming off the bench. Marcin Gortat could dominate any of Philly’s centers if he’s in the mood, but recent derogatory comments about the team make you wonder about his commitment. If J-Rich (ankle) can’t go, Nick Young will get extra minutes and Dorell Wright benefits most of all.
NOH @ DEN: All our preseason hype about the Nuggets looked silly for a while, but they are beginning to put it all together during a 3-game win streak. There’s no way the Hornets can beat them without Anthony Davis (ankle) and no word that the Unibrow is ready to return. Ryan Anderson is a great fantasy start in the interim, and Greivis Vasquez has been playing well, but I’m going to focus on Ty Lawson, Andre Iguodala and Danilo Gallinari in my daily leagues, and won’t be surprised if Andre Miller and his second unit put up some nice numbers.
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