STORIES IN PLAY TODAY HEADLINE
San Antonio Spurs at Miami Heat (1:00 pm EST); over/under 203; Heat -3. INJURIES: SAS: Danny Green, Tiago Splitter, Kawhi Leonard (all OUT) ; MIA: Dwayne Wade (P).
The Spurs depleted roster will be severely tested by the Heat in this encore of last season’s Championship Finals. Without a healthy Dwayne Wade/MIA, I favor the Spurs.
Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks (3:30 pm EST); over/under 206.5; Knicks -5.5. INJURIES: LAL: Henry, Farmar, Bryant, Blake, Nash (all OUT) ; HOME: Kenyon Martin, Amare Stoudamire, Andrea Bargnani (all OUT).
Facing one of the weaker defenses in the league, Carmelo Anthony/NYK is a must start after his monster of monsters game two night ago. If you like risk, you can try J.R. Smith/NYK, who is liable to end up in the doghouse before you finish reading this article.
Orlando Magic at New Orleans Pelicans (6:00 pm EST); over/under 198; Pelicans -8. INJURIES: ORL: Nikola Vucevic (OUT); NOP: Tyreke Evans (Q), Ryan Anderson, Jrue Holiday, Jason Smith (all OUT).
Anthony Davis/NOP is a good spec play against Glen Davis/ORL and the Magic frontcourt. Tobias Harris/ORL is worth a look based on his stellar game against the Lakers, but beware the inconsistency of a bad team.
Phoenix Suns at Cleveland Cavaliers (6:00 pm EST); over/under 204.5; Cavs -1. INJURIES: PNX: Eric Bledsoe (OUT) ; CLE: none.
No one stands out as an obvious pick; Channing Frye/PNX could be worth a flier.
Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics (6:30 pm EST); over/under 193; Nets -4.5. INJURIES: BKN: none (Y) ; BOS: Jerryd Bayless (Q), Avery Bradley (OUT).
I like Gerald Wallace/BOS if he starts.
Detroit Pistons at Dallas Mavericks (7:30 pm EST); over/under 208.5; Mavs -7. INJURIES: DET none; DAL: none.
This is the type of opponent Josh Smith/DET could burn if he is in the right mood. Given his nature, deploy at your own risk.
Denver Nuggets* at Sacramento Kings (9:00 pm EST); over/under ?; ?. INJURIES: DEN: Darrell Arthur (OUT), JaVale McGee (OUT); SAC: Rudy Gay (Q), DeMarcus Cousins (D).
Denver has been bad on the road after playing the night before. That balances the depth issues the Kings after the Gay and Cousins injuries. Marcus Thornton/SAC is a logical must start but I worry that his game against the Pacers was a total fluke.
Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors (9:00 pm EST); over/under 216.5; Warriors -3.5. INJURIES: POR: none; GSW: Jermaine O”Neal ( OUT).
My Lineup
The following is my recommended lineup, subject to change, for the $5/$500 double up pay out GPP at DraftStreet ($99,948 spent of $100,000 max). You are required to have one center, three guards, three forwards and one wildcard/utility player for a valid DraftStreet lineup:
Stars Worth Starting: Carmelo Anthony/NYK, Isaiah Thomas/SAC
Bargain Plays: Mo Williams/POR, Marcus Thornton/SAC (if Gay/SAC sits), Gerald Wallace/BOS (if he starts).
Speculative Plays: Tobias Harris/ORL, Tyson Chandler/NYK, Channing Frye/PNX.
Estimated DraftStreet Points: 210 (+/- 60)
Others to consider: Stephen Curry/GSW, Kris Humprhries/BOS, Timofey Mozgov/DEN, Kyrie Irving/CLE, Tim Duncan/SAS, Joe Johnson/BKN, Mirza Teletovic/BKN, Anthony Davis/NOP, Wilson Chandler/DEN, Jameer Nelson/ORL, Kevin Garnett/BKN.
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