The odds are good that we saw a preview of the Eastern Conference finals. The Indiana Pacers used superior roster depth and the home crowd to win a close one over the Miami Heat. Kyrie Irving/CLE was unstoppable as the Cavaliers beat the Knicks. The Thunder continued their excellent run with a clinical defeat of the Hawks. The Bucks took advantage of the Noah-less Bulls to earn a low-scoring road victory. The Lakers lost their second straight with Kobe, this one to the Suns. There are nine games on the schedule tonight, giving us plenty of lineup options. Here is today’s Fantasy Spin.
Top performers
1) John Henson/MIL. His move towards the edge of superstardom is one of the big stories of the year. 11 of 17 FGA, 3 of 4 FTA, 14 rebounds, 3 steals, 6 blocks, 3 TO, 25 points.
2) Kyrie Irving/CLE. Favorable conditions and he came through.
3) Kevin Love/MIN. Didn’t miss a beat in his return.
4) Kevin Durant/OKC. He can produce fantasy numbers at will. With another game today he held something in reserve.
5) Carmelo Anthony/NYK.
Honorable mention: Goran Dragic/PHO, Russell Westbrook/OKC
Top Sleepers
1) Mike Dunleavy/CHI. A late Joakim Noah/CHI scratch opened up minutes. 9 of 15 FGA, 4 of 6 FTA, 5 minutes, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 TO, 24 points.
2) Manu Ginobili/SAS.
3) Dwight Buycks/TOR. The Raptors are still waiting for the new arrivals.
4) Marcus Morris/PHO.
5) Amare Stoudamire/NYK. Further proof that he is approaching full fitness.
Biggest Busts
1) Dion Waiters/CLE. Remains inconsistent. 2 of 6 FGA, 2 of 4 FTA, 1 assist, 4 TO, 6 points.
2) Andre Drummond/DET. This wasn’t a good matchup for him.
3) Gerald Green. PHO.
4) Joe Johnson/BKN. Now firmly back to earth after a hot streak.
5) Giannis Antetokounmopo/MIL. Remains a high risk fantasy play due to limited minutes.
Tuesday NBA contests at DraftStreet
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Spurs and Thunder Go for Back-To-Back Road Wins
A look at tonight’s action from a daily fantasy perspective. An asterisk (*) indicates a team playing the second of back-to-back games.
Orlando Magic at Charlotte Bobcats (7:00 pm EST), Over/Under 192; Bobcats -5.5
The Magic are still waiting on the return of Nikola Vucevic/ORL and are still figuring out how to play Victor Oladipo/ORL and Jameer Nelson/ORL together. They should be avoided until these situations are resolved. For the Bobcats, Gerald Henderson/CHA, Al Jefferson/CHA and Kemba Walker/CHA are all playable.
Los Angeles Clippers at Boston Celtics* (7:30 pm EST), Over/Under 197; Clippers -5.5
The Celtics were not able to take advantage of the weakened Nets and today must deal with a talented Clippers lineup. Chris Paul/LAC and Blake Griffin/LAC are solid plays as usual, but DeAndre Jordan/LAC is a risk due to his “probable” status.
San Antonio Spurs* at Milwaukee Bucks* (8:00 pm EST), Over/Under 193; Spurs -10
John Henson/MIL has emerged as a potential superstar in an otherwise dismal start to the season for the Bucks. I expect a tighter game than the betting line suggests.
Detroit Pistons* at New Orleans Pelicans (8:00 pm EST), Over/Under 202.5 ; Pelicans -2.5
Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves* (8:00 pm EST), Over/Under 210; Wolves -12.5
The Sixers are suffering without their rookie point guard and both Nikola Pekovic/MIN and Kevin Love/MIN are excellent plays tonight.
Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks* (8:00 pm EST), Over/Under 183; Knicks -3
The Bulls should be favored in this one, especially if Joakim Noah/CHI returns. Carmelo Anthony/NYK has been solid but I would give him a pass here. Tony Snell/PHI is a tremendous bargain play if he starts.
Oklahoma City Thunder* at Memphis Grizzlies (8:00 pm EST), Over/Under 190.5; Thunder -6
The Thunder are just finishing up a busy stretch of games and are arguably the best team in the league at the moment. I don’t see how the Grizzlies can contain either Kevin Durant/OKC or Russell Westbrook/OKC.
Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings (10:00 pm EST), Over/Under 202; Kings -7
Isaiah Thomas’s/SAC price has not yet caught up with his increased role with the Kings. Rudy Gay/TOR is getting closer to his Sacramento debut. The Jazz chances are slim with the likely absence of Derrick Favors/UTA
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State (10:30 pm EST), Over/Under 208.5; Warriors -5.5
Injuries Relevant for Tonight’s Games
Magic: Glen Davis (P), Nikola Vucevic (Q), Tobias Harris (OUT)
Bobcats: Jeff Taylor (P), Bismack Biyombo (OUT) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (OUT)
Clippers: DeAndre Jordan (P), J.J. Redick (OUT), Matt Barnes (OUT), Reggie Bullock (OUT)
Celtics: Kelly Olynyk (Q); Rajon Rondo (OUT)
Spurs: Tiago Splitter (D)
Bucks: Khris Middleton (P), Gary Neal (D), Caron Butler (OUT), Larry Sanders (OUT), Zaza Pachulia (OUT).
Pistons: Chauncey Billups (P), Rodney Stickey (D), Will Bynum (OUT).
Pelicans: Greg Stiemsma (Q), Anthony Davis (OUT), Tyreke Evans (OUT)
76ers: Elliot Williams (D), Michael Carter-Williams (D)
Wolves: Ronny Turiaf (D), Chase Budinger (OUT)
Bulls: Joakim Noah (Q), Luol Deng (Q), Jimmy Butler (D), Mike James (OUT)
Knicks: Keynon Martin (P), Quincy Acy (Q), Raymond Felton (D), Tyson Chandler (OUT)
Thunder: Thabo Sefolosha (Q)
Grizzlies: Tony Allen (D), Ed Davis (Q) Marc Gasol (OUT)
Jazz: Derrick Favors (Q), Marvin Williams (D)
Kings: Rudy Gay (P), Carl Landry (OUT)
Mavericks: Brandon Wright (OUT)
Warriors: Jermaine O’Neal (Q), Draymond Green (Q), Andre Iguodala (OUT)
key: (P) Probable, (Q) Questionable, (D) Doubtful, (GT) Game time decision, (OUT) Out, of course.
My recommended lineup in the $2/$4,000 GPP at DraftStreet ($99,848 salary spent of $100,000 max):
Stars Worth Starting: Chris Paul/LAC, Blake Griffin/LAC, John Henson/MIL
Bargain Plays: Andrew Nicholson/ORL, Tony Snell/CHI, Isaiah Thomas/SACI
Speculative Plays: Ben McLemore/SAC, Nikola Pekovic/MIN
Estimated DraftStreet points: 215.00 (+/- 45.00)
The Fantasy Spin is here every day, around 1 PM EST. Follow me @robdudek for breaking news and pre-game thoughts relevant to NBA daily fantasy.