LAL @ BRK: If you own Dwight Howard, my sympathy. Nobody wants to trade for him, you never know when (or how well) he will play, and the shutdown risk is high with a torn labrum. After two games off and a platelet-rich plasma injection, he may return tonight and put up big numbers against Brook Lopez. If you own Pau Gasol and/or Earl Clark, there’s more uncertainty. Both productive when Howard sits, they are locked in an unfortunate PF timeshare when he plays. Deron Williams has had four days off to rest a sore ankle but the Nets will need someone else to score. You already know that Kobe Bryant has become a better source of rebounds and assists the last six games, while averaging less than 17 points. The Lakers are 5-1 over that stretch; this will be fun to watch.
GSW @ HOU: With Stephen Curry healthy again, Andrew Bogut making the interior defense better and David Lee a double-double machine, the Warriors are a legitimate contender. Houston plays a fast-paced, high-scoring game, especially at home, but they are a bit banged-up, as Jeremy Lin rolled an ankle yesterday in practice and Carlos Delfino (elbow) may not play. Use James Harden as always, and give an extra-long look to Chandler Parsons. Up front, Omer Asik should log big minutes against Bogut. I’ll be using as many players from this game as I can fit under the $100,000 salary cap at DraftStreet. In traditional leagues, start everyone you own from both teams.
PHO @ MEM: It’s a matter of time before Tayshaun Prince becomes the starting SF for Memphis, possibly tonight. He’ll add another smart veteran presence to the floor, with Tony Allen and Jerryd Bayless in kind of a defense/offense platoon at SG. The other two new Grizzlies are fantasy afterthoughts; it’s too bad for Ed Davis owners that his value has been ruined, unless Zach Randolph gets hurt or is traded. The Suns briefly looked inspired under new coach Lindsey Hunter before losing four of their last five; unless you trust sixth man and notorious space cadet Michael Beasley, this is not a good matchup for a team that’s 4-20 on the road and has trouble scoring.
MIL @ DEN: The Nuggets average 108 points at home, where they have a 19-3 record, and they are fully rested tonight. In addition to anything he provides offensively, Andre Iguodala can shut down opponents, so I don’t expect Monta Ellis to go crazy. The PG battle between Ty Lawson and Brandon Jennings could be explosive, and Larry Sanders is a must-start, but Denver has too many weapons — like Danilo Gallinari, who averaged 19.3 PTS and 2.5 3-pointers in January — plus tremendous depth. This is another game to focus on in daily leagues; JaVale McGee (shin) is expected to return and Wilson Chandler could also be sharp after three days without a game.
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