Contrary to my prognostications, the Lakers rallied and won their first game since Kobe Bryant’s/LAL return. The Trail Blazers were the only team playing the first of back-to back games, so they were motivated to blast the Sixers, which they did. The Cavaliers put up a good fight against the Heat, which was good news for those banking on a big game from LeBron. Elsewhere, the biggest surprise was the Raptors’ easy win in Chicago over the Bulls. There are no afternoon games this Sunday; the action starts at 6 pm EST tonight. Here is today’s Fantasy Spin.
Top performers
1) Chris Paul/LAC. Returned with a vengeance after his first off game in a long time. 11 of 14 FGA, 11 of 11 FTA, 3 rebounds, 12 assists, 3 steals, 2 TO, 38 points.
2) LeBron James/MIA. Thankfully for his owners, he was needed right to the end.
3) LaMarcus Aldridge/POR. Took the fourth quarter off in preparation for tonight’s game.
4) Carmelo Anthony/NYK.
5) Vince Carter/DAL. Without Dirk Nowitzki/DAL, Carter stepped up as the outside threat.
Honorable mention: Kemba Walker/CHA, John Wall/WAS.
Top Sleepers
1) Jonas Valanciunas/TOR. He is adapting well to playing alongside Amir Johnson/TOR. 6 of 11 FGA, 3 of 4 FTA, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steals, 4 blocks, 1 TO, 15 points.
2) Lou Williams/ATL. I don’t think I’ve mentioned him before in my column: a true sleeper.
3) Giannis Antetokounmpo/MIL. The Bucks were down by 32 after three quarters of play and that meant the reserves got to play extra minutes.
4) Chris Bosh/MIL. The Heat will need quality from him to compete with the Pacers.
5) Hollis Thompson/PHI.
Biggest Busts
1) Jeff Teague/ATL. 2 of 6 FGA, 6 assists, 4 TO, 4 points (27+ minutes).
2) Evan Turner/PHI.
3) Monta Ellis/DAL. Odd game from the normally consistent Ellis.
4) Enes Kanter/UTA.
5) Taj Gibson/CHI. Cooled off after a hit stretch.
If you utilized my recommended picks and entered a lot of double up leagues, you are probably please with your result. Though the competition was tough at DraftStreet yesterday, your LeBron and LaMarcus-led team would have scored 236.50 points. I entered a slightly different team in an $11 double-up league and came through with a top half finish.
Sunday NBA contests at DraftStreet
My eye is on the $11 buy-in/$5,000 GPP, which closes at 6 pm EST. For those with more money to spend, DraftStreet is offering the $109 buy-in/$6,000.
Look for a new freeroll announcement early this coming week. It’s a chance to win vouchers for DraftStreet contests at no risk to you.
West Powers Seek 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.
Houston Rockets at Sacramento Kings (6:00 pm EST), Over/Under 213.5; Rockets -6
The Rockets are returning to collective health and should have no trouble with the Kings, even on the road. DeMarcus Cousins/SAC and Isaiah Thomas/SAC are solid bets, especially if Sacramento stays in the game to the end.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies (6:00 pm EST), Over/Under 196.5; Wolves -2.5
Kevin Love/MIN hasn’t had the explosive stat lines of the early season, but he has settled in as a rock-solid lineup anchor. Conditions are good for Kevin Martin/MIN in this matchup.
Portland Trail Blazers* at Detroit Pistons (6:00 pm EST), Over/Under 207; Blazers -3.5
This is an awkward matchups for Portland, as Robin Lopez/POR isn’t exactly a bruiser in the paint and LaMarcus Aldridge/POR prefers to work his magic mid-range. Brandon Jennings/DET and Rodney Stuckey/DET will have to be on if the Pistons want to hang with the Blazers.
Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder (7:00 pm EST), Over/Under 205.5; Thunder -13.5
I’m going to avoid the OKC big three, as I think this game has significant blowout potential. Reggie Jackson/OKC is still undervalued and if you like a bit of risk, Victor Oladipo/ORL has tremendous upside.
New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets (8:00 pm EST), Over/Under 204.5; Nuggets -6.5
Al Farouq Aminu/NOP will be needed in the paint if the Pelicans hope to defuse the Nuggets’ inside game. I like Timofey Mozgov/DEN as a sleeper pick, but of course his production is a function of his highly variable playing time.
Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns (8:00 pm EST), Over/Under 210.5; Suns -1
Stephen Curry/GSW is expensive but solid lineup anchor. Goran Dragic/PHO and Eric Bledsoe/PHO have started working well together and should give the Golden State backcourt a lot to worry about.
Injuries Relevant for Tonight’s Games
Rockets: Greg Smith (Q), Omer Asik (OUT) ; Kings: Quincy Acy (P), Carl Landry (OUT).
Wolves: Chase Budinger(OUT); Grizzlies: Marc Gasol (OUT).
Blazers: none ; Pistons: Will Bynum (OUT).
Magic: none ; Thunder: Thabo Sefolosha (Q).
Pelicans: Tyreke Evans (Q), Anthony Davis (OUT) ; Nuggets: Ty Lawson (P), JaVale McGee (OUT).
Warriors: Andre Iguodala (OUT), Jermaine O’Neal (OUT); Suns: none.
key: (P) Probable, (Q) Questionable, (D) Doubtful, (GT) Game time decision, (OUT) Out, of course.
My recommended lineup in the $11/$5,000 GPP at DraftStreet ($99,940 salary spent of $100,000 max):
Stars Worth Starting: James Harden/HOU, Eric Bledsoe/PHO, Zach Randolph/MEM
Bargain Plays: Steven Adams/OKC, Rodney Stuckey/DET, Reggie Jackson/OKC
Speculative Plays: Al-Farouq Aminu/NOP, Ryan Anderson/NOP
Estimated DraftStreet points: 205.00 (+/- 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.