Raptors Without Their Igniter
Phoenix Suns* at Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 pm EST); over/under 213.5; Suns -5. INJURIES: PNX: Eric Bledsoe (OUT); Arnett Moultrie (OUT).
Evan Turner/PHI is a nice speculative play against an otherwise solid Suns defense. Phoenix doesn’t have an interior player that stands to benefit from the weak Philly interior.
Toronto Raptors at Brooklyn Nets* (7:30 pm EST); over/under ; . INJURIES: TOR: Patrick Patterson (P), Tyler Hansbrough (D), DeMar DeRozan (OUT) ; BKN: none.
The Nets prevailed over the Celtics in a defensive battle in the Paul Pierce/BKN and Kevin Garnett/BKN homecoming game. Brooklyn has found a groove since Deron Williams/BKN was installed as their super sixth man. Terrence Ross/TOR will be counted on to score in the absence of DeRozan/TOR – he will remain a bargain for another game or two until his price catches up with his new role.
Atlanta Hawks at Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 pm EST); over/under 205.5; Thunder -10. INJURIES: ATL: Jeff Teague (OUT), Pero Antic (OUT); OKC: Russell Westbrook (OUT).
The Hawks don’t have the firepower to stay with the Thunder, especially if Serge Ibaka/OKC maintains his recent form. My enthusiasm for the Thunder players is tempered by possible blowout conditions.
Los Angeles Clippers at Milwaukee Bucks (8:00 pm EST); over/under 199; Clippers-9. LAC: J.J. Redick (P), Chris Paul (OUT) ; MIL: Zaza Pachulia (OUT).
Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls (8:00 pm EST); over/under 195; Wolves -2.5. INJURIES: MIN: none ; CHI: Kirk Hinrich (OUT).
Joakim Noah/CHI v Nikola Pekovic/MIN will be a good matchup. I like the Bulls led by D.J. Augustin/CHI to upset the Wolves, based partly on the nagging injuries carried by Kevin Love/MIN.
Sacramento Kings* at Utah Jazz (9:00 pm EST); over/under ; . INJURIES: SAC: Rudy Gay (Q), DeMarcus Cousins (D) ; UTA: none.
Neither Gay/SAC nor Cousins/SAC played last night and it is probable that neither will make the trip to Salt Lake City. The Kings played the Nuggets tough in front of the home crowd, but came up short. I still like Jason Thompson/SAC, Marcus Thornton/SAC and Isaiah Thomas/SAC.
My Lineup
The following is my recommended lineup, subject to change, for the $2/$4,000 standard pay out GPP at DraftStreet ($99,480 spent of $100,000 max). You are required to have 1 center, 3 guards, 3 forwards and 1 wildcard/utility player for a valid DraftStreet lineup:
Stars Worth Starting: Kevin Durant/OKC, Serge Ibaka/OKC
Bargain Plays: Kendrick Perkins/OKC, Terrence Ross/TOR, Mike Dunleavy/CHI
Speculative Plays: D.J. Augustin/CHI, Kyke Korver/ATL.
Estimated DraftStreet Points: 205 (+/- 50)
Others to consider: Jason Thompson/SAC, Thabo Sefolosha/OKC, P.J. Tucker/PNX, Jimmy Butler/CHI, Evan Turner/PHI, Jamal Crawford/LAC, Goran Dragic/PNX.
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