Pacers Try to Salvage Road Trip
New Orleans Pelicans at Cleveland Cavaliers (7:00 pm EST); over/under 194.5; Cavs -2.5. INJURIES: NOP: Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson, Jason Smith (all OUT); CLE: Luol Deng (Q), Anderson Varejao (Q).
The Cavaliers suddenly have major injury concerns, with two of their key players game-time decisions. Watch the status of Varejao/CLE carefully: if he can’t play, Anthony Davis/NOP becomes a solid value play coming off one of his best games of the year. If Deng/CLE can’t, bump up Kyrie Irving/CLE significantly.
Boston Celtics at New York Knicks (7:30 pm EST); over/under 192; Knicks -6. INJURIES: BOS: Jerryd Bayless (P), Avery Bradley (OUT); NYK: Amare Stoudamire (OUT), Kenyon Martin (OUT), Andrea Bargnani (OUT).
The Celtics have enough quick players to guard Carmelo Anthony/NYK, but not the size and quickness combination needed to contain Melo. Though he comes with a high price tag, Anthony is a good lineup anchor choice.
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets (8:00 pm EST); over/under 211; Rockets -1.5. INJURIES: SAS: Tiago Splitter, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard (all OUT); HOU: James Harden (P), Greg Smith (OUT), Francisco Garcia (OUT), Omer Asik (OUT).
James Harden/HOU has not been healthy and can’t be counted on to perform at his usual level. Without him creating space for other players, the Rockets’ offense is a shadow of its normal self.
Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons (7:30 pm EST); over/under 206.5; Pistons -7. INJURIES: ORL: Nikola Vucevic (OUT); DET:none.
One opposition big man after another has scorched the Magic. Today it is Andre Drumnmond’s/DET turn. The Drummond play is not without risk, as his offensive skills are still raw. Josh Smith/DET is a decent spec play.
Memphis Grizzlies at Portand Trail Blazers (10:00 pm EST); over/under 196.5; Blazers -5. INJURIES: MEM:Tony Allen (D); POR:Nicolas Batum (P).
Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 pm EST); over/under 204.5; Pacers -10. INJURIES: IND: none ; LAL: Henry, Bryant, Blake, Nash, Farmar (all OUT).
The Pacers continue their Western swing and should have enough firepower to beat the Lakers. Don’t expect a blowout: the Lakers outside shooters are capable of producing against a sagging Pacers defense. Nick Young/LAL and Kendall Marshall are inexpensive plays with high upside.
Washington Wizards at Golden State Warriors (10:30 pm EST); over/under 206; Warriors -8. INJURIES: WAS: Al Harrington (OUT); GSW: Jermaine O’Neal (OUT).
I’ll be watching John Wall/GSW versus Stephen Curry/GSW, but the key for the Wizards will be to get scoring from their interior players. IF Curry and Klay Thompson/GSW shoot well, the Warriors should win easily.
My Lineup
The following is my recommended lineup, subject to change, for the $2/$5,000 standard pay out GPP at DraftStreet (99,975 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: Carmelo Anthony/NYK, Lance Stephenson/IND
Bargain Plays: George Hill/IND, David West/IND, Brian Roberts/NOP
Speculative Plays: Josh Smith/DET, Roy Hibbert/IND, Luis Scola/IND.
Estimated DraftStreet Points: 205 (+/- 50)
Others to consider: Tobias Harris/ORL, Anthony Davis/NOP, Paul George/IND, Chandler Parsons/HOU, Kyrie Irving/CLE, Gerald Wallace/BOS, Kendall Marshall/LAL, Nick Young/, Tyler Zeller/CLE (if Varejao is out).
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