Kevin vs Kevin Could be a Letdown if Love in not at Full Strength
Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 pm EST); over/under 203.5; Celtics -2. INJURIES: BOS: Gerald Wallace (P), Jared Sullinger (P); PHI: none.
Sullinger would be a great play but isn’t completely healthy. Jeff Green/BOS is a high risk/high reward play and should thrive in the transition basketball that both the Sixers and Celtics like to play.
Los Angeles Lakers* at Cleveland Cavaliers (7:00 pm EST); over/under 210; Cavs -5.5. INJURIES: LAL: Jordan Farmar (P), Steve Nash (D), Steve Blake (P), Jordan Hill (Q), Jodie Meeks, Pau Gasol, Xavier Henry, Kobe Bryant (all OUT); CLE: none.
The Lakers had a bunch of players return from injury, but suffered a few more. Meeks and Hill will likely miss some time, which should secure playing time for Robert Sacre/LAL, Chris Kaman/LAL, and perhaps Manny Harris/LAL. Steve Nash/LAL will sit out tonight to rest, which might mean the return of Jordan Farmar/LAL. In any case, this game will feature two dysfunctional teams. Kyrie Irving/CLE and Jarret Jack/CLE (If he starts) are solid plays.
San Antonio Spurs at Washington Wizards (7:00 pm EST); over/under 194.5; Wizards -1. INJURIES: SAS: Kawhi Leonard (OUT), Manu Ginobili (OUT) ; WAS: Al Harrington (OUT).
The Wizards always seem to play close games and I expect this one to be no different. Tony Parker/SAS carved up the Pelicans but he may not have the same energy to devote to offense after trying to stop John Wall/WAS.
Portland Trail Blazers at New York Knicks (8:00 pm EST); over/under 207.5; Blazers -2. INJURIES: POR: none; NYK: Kenyon Martin (Q), Andrea Bargnani (OUT).
Considering the Knicks’ poor display against the Bucks, Carmelo Anthony/NYK will have to be at the top of his game to hold off Portland. Damian Lillard/POR has recovered from his mini-slump and is priced in bargain territory.
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic (7:00 pm EST); over/under 200.5; Pistons -3. INJURIES: DET: Josh Harrellson (Q) ; ORL: Jameer Nelson (Q).
Minnesota Timberwolves* at Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 pm EST); over/under 208.5; Thunder -8.5. INJURIES: MIN: Kevin Love (P), Nikola Pekovic (OUT) ; OKC: Russell Westbrook (OUT).
Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies (8:00 pm EST); over/under 189; Grizzlies -3.5. INJURIES: DAL: Shawn Marion (P) ; MEM: Mike Conley (OUT), Tony Allen (OUT).
Phoenix Suns* at Houston Rockets (8:00 pm EST); over/under 211.5; Rockets -8. INJURIES: PNX: Eric Bledsoe (OUT) ; HOU: Francisco Garcia (Q), Omer Asik (OUT), Greg Smith (OUT).
Atlanta Hawks* at New Orleans Pelicans (8:00 pm EST); over/under 196.5; Pelicans -2. INJURIES: ATL: Pero Antic (OUT) ; NOP: Tyreke Evans (Q), Jrue Holiday (OUT), Ryan Anderson (OUT).
Anthony Davis/NOP is one of the top candidates for monster game of the day. The Hawks have to be a little worn out after battling the Pacers last night.
Milwaukee Bucks at Denver Nuggets (9:00 pm EST); over/under 208; Nuggets -12.5. INJURIES: MIL: John Henson (P), Ekpe Udoh (Q), O.J. Mayo (D), Caron Butler (OUT); DEN: JaVale McGee (OUT).
On paper this should be a blowout, but if both John Henson/MIL and Larry Sanders/MIL play effectively, the Bucks have the ammunition to stay in this one. Brandon Knight/MIL and Khris Middleton/MIL are terrific dark horse plays.
Toronto Raptors at Sacramento Kings (10:00 pm EST); over/under 200.5; Raptors -1. INJURIES: TOR: Kyle Lowry (P); SAC: none.
A faccinating game, as a plethora of former teammates face off. My eyes will be on DeMar DeRozan/TOR versus Rudy Gay/SAC. DeMarcus Cousins/SAC will be playing through pain, otherwise he would be a solid lineup anchor against a Raptors team that has a weakish interior.
Miami Heat at Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 pm EST); over/under 210; Clippers -1.5. INJURIES: MIA: none ; LAC: Chris Paul (OUT).
My Lineup at DraftStreet
The following is my recommended lineup, subject to change, for the $22/$150,000 standard payout Big Score at DraftStreet. You are required to have three guards, three forwards, one center and one wildcard/utility player for a legal eight-player lineup in DraftStreet NBA contests:
F-Anthony Davis/NOP- $21,213, G-Kyrie Irving/CLE- $15,056, G-Brandon Jennings/DET- $14,625, C-J.J. Hickson/DEN- $12,286, F-Kenneth Faried/DEN- $12,133, F-Jeff Green/BOS- $9,261, G-Thabo Sefolosha/OKC- $8,650, G-Jarrett Jack/CLE- $6,362.
Others to consider: Kevin Durant/OKC, Serge Ibaka/OKC, Zach Randolph/MEM, DeMar DeRozan/TOR, Josh Smith/DET, Tony Parker/SAS, Greg Monroe/DET, Rajon Rondo/BOS, Luol Deng/CLE, Patrick Beverley/HOU, Rodney Stuckey/DET, Nick Young/LAL, Kyle Singler/DET, Manny Harris/LAL, Robert Sacre/LAL.
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