Saturday Previews
CHI @ DAL: This a rare Saturday matinee (2:00 EDT) so be sure to set your lineups early. Dallas is desperate to stay alive and while the Bulls would like to improve their playoff seed, they are nursing a lot of injuries.
OKC @ MIL: Much depends on Brandon Jennings and his stormy relationship with his coach. If he plays well, Monta Ellis can get more open. Larry Sanders and Ersan Ilyasova must also play their very best for the Bucks to pull off the upset. They would love to climb out of eighth place to avoid meeting the Heat.
ORL @ ATL: Expect the Hawks to bounce back, but don’t count on Horford being 100% even if he does return. There may be a few fantasy bargains, especially in daily leagues. Check for breaking news on this one later today.
MEM @ MIN: It’s late in the season and it’s a back-to-back for both teams. Predictions are always difficult, but there’s more guesswork involved than usual. Obviously the Grizzlies are the better team. However, the Wolves are at home and feeling good after shocking the Thunder.
CHA @ PHI: Not every game is a tossup; the Sixers should romp in this one. After that decent effort in New York, the Bobcats are unlikely to improve on their league-worst 6-30 road record.
LAC @ HOU: Hmm. Both teams were very disappointed to lose last night. L.A. is in danger of losing home-court advantage in the opening playoff round, and Houston has only a 2.5 game cushion between seventh and ninth place, so they can’t afford too many losses. Mr. Harden will be much better tonight, as the Clippers have nobody like Tony Allen to guard him.
BRK @ UTA: As much as D-Will might want to play well in Salt Lake City, his Nets are tired and the Jazz are inspired. Use every Utah player you own, and hope for a blowout.
LAL @ SAC: We know that Kobe Bryant (ankle) has a high tolerance for pain and a determination second to none. If he’s able to play, the Lakers shouldn’t lose. Steve Nash (hip) is no sure thing, so Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol will need to assert themselves. Isaiah Thomas is worth starting for the Kings, who often get involved in fast-paced shootouts at home.
IND @ PHO: It was a surprise to learn that Danny Granger is shut down to have knee surgery, but the Pacers have been great without him all year. Against the appalling, obviously-tanking Suns, this should be no contest. Goran Dragic is healthy and wants to play, but they won’t let him. Every Phoenix player wants to be somewhere else. Why a single fan would attend this game is a mystery to me.
POR @ GSW: Condolences to the Blazers and their fans, but they have run out of bodies, and time. They will make an effort, as they aren’t mathematically eliminated, but the Warriors are rested and at home, with a chance to take a stranglehold on sixth place. Stephen Curry and David Lee are must-starts and lesser lights may also shine for the home team.
The Fantasy Spin is here every morning, by 10:00 EDT. Follow @SheridanFantasy on Twitter for updates.