PHO @ CLE: It’s a tough back-to-back for the Cavs after playing last night in Memphis. However, the Suns aren’t a great road team, so it’s difficult to guess what might happen. This is a rematch of the Nov. 9 game in Phoenix, where Cleveland blew a 26-point lead to lose 107-105, but both teams have made lineup changes since. The most significant is Jeremy Pargo starting at PG while Kyrie Irving heals from a broken finger. It could all come down to the enigmatic Michael Beasley — if he plays well, I like the visitors, but if he doesn’t score, who will?
TOR @ HOU: The tragic passing of his 23-year-old daughter means Kevin McHale won’t be with his team, but the Rockets have played very well under Kelvin Sampson and will dedicate this game to their head coach. The other key storyline is the return of Kyle Lowry to Houston; he’s a fiery guy who will make life miserable for Jeremy Lin tonight. I own both Omer Asik and Jonas Valanciunas in a 20-team keeper league; stay out of foul trouble and have at each other, fellas. Andrea Bargnani can’t possibly be worse than he was on Sunday (2-for-19) and Chandler Parsons is unlikely to be better than he was in scoring 31 points last Friday. It’s must-see TV if (like me) you live in Toronto.
MIN @ SAC: In a surprisingly early return from his broken hand, Kevin Love had to play three games in four nights. Needless to say, his first game was the best, and a combination of pain and sub-par conditioning gradually took its toll. I’m a Wolves fan who can’t wait to see what happens between Nikola Pekovic and DeMarcus Cousins. Assuming they are busy with each other all night, Love can attack Jason Thompson; even one-handed, that’s a mismatch. The Kings need Tyreke Evans to stay hot if they have any chance to win, and Minnesota simply needs better guard play.
IND @ LAL: The first problem for the Pacers is underachieving Roy Hibbert vs. Dwight Howard. The second is whoever tries to guard Kobe Bryant. The third is, if you try too hard to stop those two, Metta World Peace will be wide open in the corner, and he’s knocking down 2.4 triples per game, including five on Sunday. Rested from a brutal four games in five nights and back at home, the Lakers are a solid choice. Indiana has been unable to replace Danny Granger (knee) and while Paul George and David West have had occasional big games, they are a 6-8 team, hobbling along in third place in a weak division.
The Spin is here by 9:00 EST, every morning. Follow us on Twitter — @SheridanFantasy — for updates and roster advice from strategy guru Jeff Nichols, whose Saturday afternoon columns are a must. My FanDuel Diary always has the latest on daily fantasy leagues, and tonight we have a $3,000 tournament as the main attraction.