Despite Blake Griffin’s/LAC bum ankle, he gave it a go against the Nets. The tired Clippers dug themselves a big hole, eventually letting the reserves play out the fourth quarter. Brooklyn took the win, but received bad news as Brook Lopez/BKN sustained an injury. If Lopez’s absence is lengthy, the Nets will be severely undersized in the paint. In the nightcap, Jeremy Lin/HOU returned and Dwight Howard/HOU and James Harden/HOU played well. However, the Rockets could not handle LaMarcus Aldridge/POR, and the Blazers earned a significant home win. With a full plate of games on tap tonight, there are plenty of player matchups to peruse for your fantasy lineups. Here is today’s Fantasy Spin.
Top performers
1) LaMarcus Aldridge/POR. 12 of 22 FGA, 7 of 9 FTA, 25 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 TO, 31 points.
2) Dwight Howard/HOU. I didn’t think he matched up well against the Blazers, but he kept the Rockets in the game.
3) James Harden/HOU.
Honorable mention: none.
Top Sleepers
1) Andray Blatche/BKN. Got extra minutes because Brook Lopez/BKN got hurt. 7 of 11 FGA, 7 of 8 FTA, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 TO, 21 points.
2) Robin Lopez/POR.
3) Patrick Beverley/HOU.
Biggest Busts
1) Chris Paul/LAC. 6 of 13 FGA, 6 of 7 FTA, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 TO, 20 points.
2) Damian Lillard/POR.
Friday NBA contests at DraftStreet
With lots of hardwood action tonight, the DraftStreet Basketball Championships Qualifier #9 goes tonight. It’s a $215 buy-in and there is room for 100 entries. For those on a lower budget, there is a very large field $2 buy-in GPP paying out $4,000. There are also larger than usual double-up leagues at the $2, $5, and $11 buy-in levels.
Don’t forget our weekly Friday freeroll goes tonight! It’s a chance to win vouchers for DraftStreet contests at no risk to you. Click on any DraftStreet text link, register and set your lineup before tonight’s NBA leagues start.
Lakers at Thunder Highlight Busy Night
A look at tonight’s action from a daily fantasy perspective. An asterisk (*) indicates a team playing the second of back-to-back games.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic (7:00 pm EST), Over/Under 194.5; Magic -2.5
Kyrie Irving/CLE had a monster games last time out and is still undervalued. Andrew Bynum/CLE and Tristan Thompson/CLE have stepped forward and the Cavs are no longer in freefall. Nikola Vucevic/ORL has returned and has made an immediate impact.
Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors (7:00 pm EST), Over/Under 204; Raptors -7
Many of the new Raptors will make their debut tonight. The Sixers are still missing their rookie point guard, MC-W. Tony Wroten/PHI remains an interesting speculative play, while Raptors big men Jonas Valanciunas and Amir Johnson/TOR are good value plays.
Charlotte Bobcats at Indiana Pacers (7:00 pm EST), Over/Under 184.5; Pacers -12
Danny Granger/IND is getting closer to returning. He’ll likely see limited minutes at first, but in the long run the roles of some Pacers regulars will be significantly altered. As a speculative play, I like Lance Stephenson/IND, whose athleticism should play well against the weakish Bobcats.
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics (7:30 pm EST), Over/Under 189; Celtics -3.5
A return match after the Celtics blasted the Knicks in New York. This one should be close all the way.
Brooklyn Nets* at Detroit Pistons (7:30 pm EST), Over/Under 195.5; Pistons -6
If Brook Lopez/BKN doesn’t play, the Pistons will be big favorites. Andre Drummond/DET and Greg Monroe/DET should eat up the undersized Nets frontcourt. Andray Blatche/BKN will play extra minutes and is my top value play if Lopez sits.
Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks (7:30 pm EST), Over/Under 193; Hawks -5.5
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 pm EST), Over/Under 209.5; Thunder -13
Steve Blake/LAL is now out for weeks, joining Jordan Farmar/LAL on the injury list. Jodie Meeks/LAL should benefit with more minutes. Jordan Hill/LAL returns to the lineup. With Kobe Bryant/LAL not yet in full game shape, the Thunder should win this game easily. Russell Westbrook/OKC is a good value play.
Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans (8:00 pm EST), Over/Under 192; Pelicans -3.5
Al-Farouq Aminu/NOP has taken over as the Pelicans main rebounder from Tyreke Evans/NOP. Jrue Holiday/NOP versus Mike Conley/MEM will be an interesting one to watch. Kosta Koufos/MEM is a decent speculative play.
Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs (8:30 pm EST), Over/Under 207; Spurs -9
The Wolves have not been as crisp offensively as they were at the start of the season. Tim Duncan/SAS and Tony Parker/SAS are both good value here.
Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks (8:30 pm EST), Over/Under 177; Bulls -3
Joakim Noah/CHI may not play. John Henson/MIL had a brilliant game followed by a mediocre one – he is a decent speculative play even against the defensively-minded Bulls.
Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets (9:00 pm EST), Over/Under 202.5; Nuggets -10.5
Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns (9:00 pm EST), Over/Under 209; Suns -6.5
Houston Rockets* at Golden State (10:30 pm EST), Over/Under 210.5; Warriors -3.5
This figures to be a very high-scoring game. Loading up on Rockets and Warriors in double-up leagues is a variable tactic tonight.
Injuries Relevant for Tonight’s Games
Cavaliers: none ; Magic: Tobias Harris (D).
76ers: Michael Carter-Williams (OUT), Arnett Moultrie (OUT) ; Raptors: Tyler Hansbrough (P), Landry Fields (P), Patrick Patterson (P), John Salmons (P), Greivis Vasquez (P).
Bobcats: Bismack Biyombo (P), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (OUT); Pacers: Danny Granger (D).
Knicks: Iman Shumpert (Q), Tyson Chandler (OUT), Raymond Felton (OUT); Celtics: Kelly Olynyk (P), Kris Humphries (Q), Rajon Rondo (OUT).
Nets: Brook Lopez (Q), Jason Terry (OUT), Andrei Kirikenko (OUT); Pistons: Chauncey Billups (P), Rodney Stuckey (Q), Will Bynum (OUT).
Wizards: Martell Webster (P), Nene Hilario (Q), Al Harrington (OUT), Bradley Beal (OUT); Hawks: none.
Lakers: Jordan Farmar (OUT), Steve Nash (OUT), Steve Blake (OUT); Thunder: Steven Adams (Q), Thabo Sefolosha (Q).
Grizzlies: Tony Allen (Q), Ed Davis (Q), Marc Gasol (OUT); Pelicans: Anthony Davis (OUT).
Timberwolves: Chase Budinger (OUT); Spurs: Tiago Splitter (Q).
Bulls: Joakim Noah (P), Luol Deng (Q), Jimmy Butler (OUT), Mike James (OUT); Bucks: Gary Neal (Q), Caron Butler (OUT), Zaza Pachulia (OUT), Larry Sanders (OUT).
Jazz: none; Nuggets: Ty Lawson (P), Danilo Gallinari (OUT), JaVale McGee (OUT).
Kings: Quincy Acy (P), Rudy Gay(P), Carl Landry (OUT); Suns: Emeka Okafor (OUT).
Rockets: Jeremy Lin (P), Greg Smith (Q), Omer Asik (OUT) ; Warriors: Festus Ezeli (OUT), Andre Iguodala (OUT), Jermaine O’Neal (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 ($99,609 salary spent of $100,000 max):
Stars Worth Starting: Russell Westbrook/OKC, Kyrie Irving/CLE, DeMar DeRozan/TOR
Bargain Plays: Andray Blatche/BKN, Al-Farouq Aminu/NOP, Derrick Williams/SAC
Speculative Plays: Tony Wroten/PHI, Carlos Boozer/CHI
Estimated DraftStreet points: 215.00 (+/- 45.00)
The Fantasy Spin is here every day, around noon EST. Follow me @robdudek for breaking news and pre-game thoughts relevant to NBA daily fantasy.