IND @ HOU: Again, keep in mind that it’s the NBA silly season. Indiana has no incentive to play George Hill (groin) or Lance Stephenson (hip), we don’t know for sure when David West (back) might return and even Danny Granger (knee) is a possibility. They just want to be healthy for the postseason. Houston needs the win and will start its best players; you do the math. The score might not be astronomical, but James Harden will get his numbers, Chandler Parsons is worth starting and Omer Asik will give Roy Hibbert a battle in the paint. D.J. Augustin and Gerald Green are ‘stealth’ possibilities if the Pacers give them another start.
LAL @ MIN: Theoretically, this is one of the ‘easy’ games on the Lakers’ remaining schedule but they are making all of them difficult. The Wolves have nothing to play for but pride; Kobe Bryant is determined to make the playoffs. Dwight Howard won’t have an easy night against Pek, but he needs to produce. Metta World Peace (knee) is out and Pau Gasol is out-of-sync, so L.A. might go small, with Steve Nash and Steve Blake in the backcourt while Kobe plays SF. Neither team is known for stifling defense; the over is enticing.
MIA @ CHI: You know that Dwyane Wade (knee) could have played the last two games if they really mattered, and he’s expected to return tonight. Like every Heat opponent, the Bulls would love to snap the win streak, but Joakim Noah (foot) and Marco Belinelli (abdomen) are game-time decisions and won’t be at their best if they play. Jimmy Butler might get another start and Taj Gibson is under the radar, but the best Bulls to use are Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng. For Miami, that James kid isn’t bad and Chris Bosh might step up with a big game.
WAS @ OKC: All eyes will be on John Wall to see what he can do for an encore. Something tells me Russell Westbrook won’t let him score another 40-plus. If you slow down the speedy Wall, it’s not hard to beat the Wizards. Emeka Okafor may be their next-best player, though Trevor Ariza could surprise if he’s over the flu. This should be a romp for the Thunder, with Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka enjoying good fantasy lines, but garbage time is a possibility if the score gets out of hand.
DEN @ SAS: Don’t count on Ty Lawson (heel) to return, and don’t expect either of these teams to be at their best. Tony Parker is getting back to full speed and Tim Duncan is conserving some energy for the playoffs. It could be entertaining and high-scoring, with Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler among several decent fantasy plays for Denver and Kawhi Leonard worth using for the Spurs.
PHO @ UTA: Every game is must-win for the Jazz, who slumped their way out of a playoff spot and must climb back into the race. Every game is one more obligation for the Suns, a disaster of a franchise. Luis Scola is overmatched at C, hoping Jermaine O’Neal (calf) can return. Goran Dragic is the only Phoenix player you can start every night. There’s a good chance that Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Gordon Hayward will all be productive.
BRK @ POR: Yes, it’s ‘only’ 2.5 games, but that’s a big deficit with 12 to play and the Blazers must catch three teams, not one. They will try hard every night until counted out; plan your lineups accordingly. My hunches are J.J. Hickson and Wesley Matthews, but LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard are also must-starts and you never know when Nicolas Batum will get hot. The Nets might make a game of it, with Deron Williams and Brook Lopez always leading the way. They simply don’t have as much to play for.
SAC @ GSW: After winning the game they really needed, the Warriors can’t afford a letdown. Stephen Curry and David Lee should be focused and healthy enough to take advantage of the Kings’ indifferent defense. Klay Thompson, Jarrett Jack and Harrison Barnes are worth having in your lineups too. For the Kings, Tyreke Evans (flu) might get the night off, so Isaiah Thomas is a strong play and Marcus Thornton might benefit. Counting on talented head case DeMarcus Cousins is not recommended until he grows up.