MEM @ NOH: If Ryan Anderson stays on the perimeter all night, he might score 30 again, but Zach Randolph might have another 30-20 game. As always, start ‘em both. Obviously, the Grizzlies are the better team and should win with a normal effort. Robin Lopez is having a career year, but Marc Gasol is a tough opponent. Likewise, Greivis Vasquez is a solid fantasy performer, but Mike Conley can keep him in check.
TOR @ UTA: So many questions. Which Bargnani will show up? Can Al Jefferson play? Big Al collapsed with back spasms at the end of Wednesday’s game, but has had a couple of nights to rest in that $25,000 bed. If he doesn’t go, Enes Kanter is a sneaky play in daily leagues. Toronto is 1-11 on the road, Utah 7-1 at home, so the outcome seems predictable enough. There’s talk of Jonas Valanciunas coming off the bench, where he might not be in as much foul trouble. Kyle Lowry is the only Raptor you can use with conviction.
CHA @ MIL: Since matching their victory total from last year, the Bobcats (who may again be the Hornets someday) have lost five straight. The Bucks aren’t exactly world-beaters lately, losing four of five, but they are back home and should prevail. Although you never know who might be in a Scott Skiles rotation, Larry Sanders deserves another start. The bench is weakened by the loss of Beno Udrih (ankle) and Mike Dunleavy has been in and out of the lineup with a sore knee. Fortunately, there are 11 other games tonight and we don’t have to watch this one.
HOU @ SAS: The Rockets are better than anyone expected. That doesn’t mean they are good enough to win in San Antonio. The important thing tonight for fantasy owners is to determine whether Toney Douglas is going to steal minutes again from Jeremy Lin, and whether Greg Smith will continue to get enough minutes to make him worth owning. Douglas and Smith sparked an amazing comeback win against the Lakers on Tuesday, as interim coach Kelvin Sampson let his starters watch. For the Spurs, it’s Tony Parker and Tim Duncan as usual. If you guess right on anyone else, congratulations.
LAL @ OKC: No Nash, no Gasol, no contest. Oklahoma City is just too strong. Kobe Bryant will be harassed all night by Thabo Sefolosha, while Dwight Howard has to deal with Kendrick Perkins and help from Serge Ibaka. Even if Metta World Peace somehow manages to contain Kevin Durant, who is going to stop Russell Westbrook? Certainly not Chris Duhon. The Lakers will be two games under .500 and 2-6 on the road if this one goes as I expect.
ORL @ SAC: It’s been a long trip out West for the Magic, and they are entitled to get tired or disinterested, but this is a winnable game and Jacque Vaughn is looking like a pretty good coach. If Nikola Vucevic can hold his own against DeMarcus Cousins, I like Orlando. Jameer Nelson has been playing very well; looks like that sore Achilles was a false alarm. Arron Afflalo is averaging career highs in points (16.1) and rebounds (3.8) while contributing in other categories, and J.J. Redick has scored 50 off the bench in his last three. For the Kings, Tyreke Evans picked up where he left off befor a knee bruise caused him to miss two games; he’s averaged 20+ in his last six starts.
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