PHO @ OKC: The Suns are offensively challenged, especially on the road. Last time they played the Thunder, they gave up 41 points to Kevin Durant and 36 to Russell Westbrook. Since then, Phoenix has made a coaching change, but don’t expect a miracle. The talent gap is much too wide when Goran Dragic and Marcin Gortat are your best players.
LAC @ MIA: First, the good news. Chris Paul (kneecap) and Blake Griffin (hamstring) both practiced yesterday. So did Jamal Crawford (shoulder) and Chauncey Billups (foot), but all four are listed as game-time decisions. It seems more likely that the Clippers will be at full strength and back in sync on Sunday than tonight. If CP3 does play, that moves Eric Bledsoe back to the second unit, which has not been the same without him. The bad news for L.A. is, they have lost seven of their last ten and Miami is rolling. The Heat will be at full strength if Chris Bosh is over his flu.
GSW @ MEM: Somebody’s losing streak ends tonight. Memphis is 1-3 since trading Gay for three magic beans, and Golden State has allowed a ridiculous 259 points in two lopsided losses to begin this road trip. This one will be low-scoring by comparison, as the Warriors’ defense can only improve. It’s not just the difference between Gay and Tayshaun Prince that has hurt the Grizzlies. Some players, notably Zach Randolph, are unhappy with the new, cost-cutting management. They need an attitude adjustment.
POR @ HOU: The last two times these teams met, the Blazers won in overtime. It’s Houston’s turn. The Rockets were awesome on Tuesday, tying the NBA record with 23 three-pointers and scoring 140 points against the Warriors, then held their own the next night in Miami. James Harden is superb, and his supporting cast is underrated. Portland has no bench at all, and Nicolas Batum is playing through a wrist injury. I don’t think the visitors can go 48 minutes at a furious pace, but I do love this game in daily fantasy leagues.
NYK @ MIN: If the Knicks learned their lesson in Washington about taking an inferior opponent lightly, they should win handily. Minnesota has been destroyed by injuries this season, with Andrei Kirilenko (quad) the latest to fall. AK-47 was their only shot to slow down Carmelo Anthony, who will now be covered by some combination of Mickael Gelebale, Derrick Williams and Dante Cunningham. I expect that Nikola Pekovic will have his hands full with Tyson Chandler, so as gifted as Ricky Rubio is, who will he pass to? Amare Stoudemire is in a tremendous groove off the New York bench and his $11,215 salary in the Freeroll looks tempting.
CHI @ UTA: Regular readers know I never like teams that played the night before in Denver. The Bulls are not only tired, they are beset by injuries. At 100%, Noah could give Al Jefferson a great battle and Boozer would be solid against Paul Millsap, but not tonight. Then the Jazz roll out another wave of talented big men in Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Under the radar for Utah, but gaining fantasy value every game is sophomore Alec Burks, a SG who has taken on more and more PG duties recently as Mo Williams (thumb) is out and Jamaal Tinsley has been ineffective.
The Fantasy Spin is here by 9:00 EST every morning, and the DraftStreet Diary offers daily league advice. Our $300 Freeroll closes tonight at 7:00 EST; if you don’t like free money, don’t bother entering. Mitch McClure previews the fantasy week ahead every Sunday. Follow us on Twitter — @SheridanFantasy — for updates.