I have been captivated by the roller coaster season of the Philadelphia 76ers. As most of you recall, the Sixers were tabbed by some the worst NBA team in decades entering the season and some expected a single digit win tally by season’s end. So it was a shock when they handed the Heat a loss on the strength of a remarkable debut from an intriguing rookie, Michael Carter-Williams/PHI. They continued their solid play until getting hammered by the Warriors at home. An injury to the promising rookie coincided with a long team slump. Upon his return, the Sixers picked up their play and have started a winning streak. If they keep it up, they will soon be in playoff contention in a remarkably weak Eastern Conference. Last night they fought off the challenge of the Portland Trail Blazers to tally their fourth straight win – all on the road. Today, there are seven games on tap, including a lone afternoon game. Here is today’s Fantasy Spin.
Fantasy Boom and Bust
Top Performers:
Kevin Durant/OKC. The Thunder needed every bit of Durant’s fantasy production, and that will remain true until Russell Westbrook/OKC returns. 16 of 32 FGA, 2 of 13 FTA, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 TO, 48 points.
LaMarcus Aldridge/POR. Opposing big men have made hay against the Sixers and Aldridge did not disappoint.
Kevin Love/MIN.
Thaddeus Young/PHI. Continues an impressive run of games.
Kemba Walker/CHA. The only surprise name on this list.
Honorable mention: Brandon Knight/MIL, Nikola Pekovic/MIN, Paul George/IND, Al Jefferson/CHA, Tim Duncan/SAS, DeMarcus Cousins/SAC.
Sleepers:
Rashard Lewis/MIA. Got a start and took full advantage. 6 of 11 FGA, 3 of 3 FTA, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 TO, 18 points.
Alexis Ajinca/NOP.
O.J. Mayo/MIL.
Jason Thompson/SAC.
Gerald Green/PHO.
Disappointments:
Damian Lillard/POR. An unexpectedly poor game; he derailed a lot of fantasy lineups. 6 of 20 FGA, 4 of 4 FTA, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 6 TO, 17 points. (35 minutes)
Giannis Antetokounmpo/MIL. Carries the inconsistency of youth.
Larry Sanders/MIL.
Tyreke Evans/NOP. Not a big surprise given the poor matchup fundamentals.
Ray Allen/MIA.
Sunday at DraftStreet
Most of the big DraftStreet NBA contests will exclude the lone afternoon game and close at 6 PM EST. The top draw is the mult-entry $11/$6,000 GPP. There are seven early-bird guaranteed prize pool contests, four of them of the double-up variety.
This week’s freeroll is behind us. Congratulations to “JRBishop” for finishing in the top spot with 265.75 DraftStreet points and collecting $100. We had an excellent turnout of 840 players this week. Be on the look out early next week for another weekly freeroll.
Indiana and Miami Seek to Extend Eastern Dominance
Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons (1:00 pm EST); over/under 194.5 ; Pistons -2.5. INJURIES: MEM: Marc Gasol (OUT); DET: Rodney Stuckey (D).
This figures to be a low scoring game. Josh Smith/DET has been a massive post-Christmas bust and without Rodney Stuckey/DET the Pistons have too few perimeter threats. Grizzlies should win this one and Mike Conley/MEM and Greg Monroe/DET are decent sleeper plays.
Golden State Warriors at Washington Wizards (6:00 pm EST); over/under 203 ; Warriors -3.5. INJURIES: GSW: Jermaine O’Neal (OUT); WAS: Al Harrington (OUT).
Another feature point guard matchup between two of the top five at the position. Both Stephen Curry/GSW and John Wall/WAS are a shade below fair value at DraftStreet. Trevor Booker/WAS is a solid sleeper and David Lee/GSW is a touch undervalued.
Indiana Pacers* at Cleveland Cavaliers* (6:00 pm EST); over/under 186.5; Pacers -8.5. INJURIES: IND: none; CLE: Kyrie Irving (Q).
The Pacers got off to a rough start against the Pelicans, but reestablished control in the second quarter and rolled to an easy win. They travel to face a reeling Cavaliers team likely without their main man Kyrie Irving/CLE for one more game.
Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat* (6:00 pm EST); over/under 198.5 ; Heat -6.5. INJURIES: TOR: Tyler Hansbrough (Q); MIA: Dwayne Wade (Q), Shane Battier (Q).
The Raptors have seized control of the Atlantic division but will have their hands full with the Heat. Dwayne Wade/MIA rarely plays in back-to-back games these days, so monitor his status up to game time. If he doesn’t play, LeBron James/MIA and Chris Bosh/MIA will get a boost. Rashard Lewis/MIA is very cheap and if he gets the start will easily justify his salary.
Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder* (7:00 pm EST); over/under 195.5 ; Thunder -9.
INJURIES: BOS: Rajon Rondo (OUT); OKC: Russell Westbrook (OUT).
As expected, Kevin Durant/OKC has taken on more responsibility after Russell Westbrook/OKC went down. Durant had a monster game last night to carry the Thunder to a road win over the Wolves, but I expect him to be rested more liberally against the Celtics today. He remains a very decent lineup anchor if you can handle his salary. If you like betting point spreads, the Celtics are a good play.
New York Knicks at Dallas Mavericks (7:30 pm EST); over/under 202 ; Mavs -6.5. INJURIES: NYK: Kenyon Martin (Q), Raymond Felton (OUT), Pablo Prigioni (OUT); DAL: none.
Carmelo Anthony/NYK has returned to his normal role and Iman Shumpert/NYK has stepped up, making the Knicks outlook more promising. A hot streak over the next few weeks would catapult New York into Atlantic division contention.
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers (9:30 pm EST); over/under 203.5 ; Nuggets -2. INJURIES: DEN: Andre Miller (SUSPENDED), JaVale McGee (Q); LAL: Jordan Farmar (OUT), Kobe Bryant (OUT), Xavier Henry (OUT), Steve Blake (OUT), Steve Nash (OUT) .
With the emergence of new point guard Kendall Marshall/LAL, the immediate future looks brighter for the Lakers. Trade rumors continue to swirl about Pau Gasol/LAL; he is on my “avoid” list due to mild trade risk and a regression from his stellar performance two nights ago.
My Lineup
The following is my recommended lineup, subject to change, for the $2/$600 multi-entry GPP at DraftStreet ($100,000 spent of $100,000 max):
Stars Worth Starting: Stephen Curry/GSW, Carmelo Anthony/NYK, Ty Lawson/DEN.
Bargain Plays: Rashard Lewis/MIA, Kendall Marshall/LAL, Iman Shumpert/NYK.
Speculative Plays: David West/IND, Kosta Koufos/MEM.
Estimated DraftStreet Points: 210 (+- 50).
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.