Wolves await Return of Pekovic.
Memphis Grizzlies* at Charlotte Bobcats* (7:00 pm EST); over/under 180 ; Grizzlies -2.5. INJURIES: MEM: none ; CHA: Gary Neal (OUT), Luke Ridnour (OUT).
It’s tempting to take Big Al Jefferson/CHA, but the price is high that I don’t think the upside against the defensively oriented Grizzlies make him a reasonable play, especially on the second of back-to-back.
New Orleans Pelicans* at Washington Wizards (7:00 pm EST); over/under 196.5 ; Wizards -6.5. INJURIES: NOP: Jrue Holiday (OUT) ; WAS: none.
Tough ask for Anthony Davis/NOP against the Washington front court, but I like Tyreke Evans’s/NOP dynamism and low DraftStreet price.
Dallas Mavericks* at Detroit Pistons* (7:30 pm EST); over/under 213.5 ; Mavs -3.5. INJURIES: DAL: none ; DET: Josh Harrellson (OUT).
The betting line suggests this will be the highest scoring game of the night. As such, Dirk Nowitzki/DAL, Monta Ellis/DAL and Josh Smith/DET should have good nights.
New York Knicks* at Atlanta Hawks* (7:30 pm EST); over/under 202.5 ; Hawks -2.5 . INJURIES: NYK: Iman Shumpert (OUT), Andrea Bargnani (OUT) ; ATL: Jeff Teague (Q), Pero Antic (OUT), Gustavo Ayon (OUT).
I’ve got a feeling that the Knicks will attempt to exploit the paint with Tyson Chandler/NYK. Carmelo Anthony/NYK may be a bit too taxed from last night’s game to put up monster numbers. Paul Millsap/ATL is my dark horse monster game candidate.
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks (8:30 pm EST); over/under 189 ; Pacers -11.5. INJURIES: IND: Lavoy Allen (D), Evan Turner (D), Andrew Bynum (OUT) ; MIL: Brandon Knight (Q), Larry Sanders (OUT).
I expect a balanced Pacers attack and an easy win; nothing of great fantasy value here.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Utah Jazz* (9:00 pm EST); over/under 197 ; Wolves -4.5 . INJURIES: MIN: Nikola Pekovic (Q), Kevin Martin (OUT), Ronny Turiaf (OUT) ; UTA: Derek Favors (D).
Unless Pekovic/MIN makes a surprise return, it will be the Kevin Love/MIN and Ricky Rubio/MIN show again. A close game would mean major minutes and fantasy production from both players.
Boston Celtics* at Sacramento Kings (10:00 pm EST); over/under 197.5 ; Kings -7.5 . INJURIES: BOS: Avery Bradley (OUT) ; SAC: DeMarcus Cousins (P).
Cousins/SAC could dominate if he is 100% and plays his regular minutes, as the Celtics have no one capable of defending him well.
Brooklyn Nets at Golden State Warriors (10:30 pm EST); over/under 201.5 ; Warriors -5. INJURIES: BKN: Marcus Thornton (Q) ; GSW: Andrew Bogut (Q).
The Nets will need solid shooting games from Paul Pierce//BKN and Joe Johnson/BKN to prevail in a tough road environment.
My Lineup at DraftStreet
The following is my recommended lineup, subject to change, for the $2/$5,000 standard payout GPP at DraftStreet (closing at 7 pm EST). 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-Kevin Love/MIN-$23,454, G-Ricky Rubio/MIN-$15,359, F-Dirk Nowitzki/DAL-$15,200, F-Greg Monroe/DET-$13,796, C-Tyson Chandler/NYK-$12,177, G-Kyle Korver/ATL-$8,110, G-Shelvin Mack/ATL-$6,063 (if he starts), F-Chase Budinger/MIN-$5,622 (if he starts).
Others to consider: Carmelo Anthony/NYK, DeMarcus Cousins/SAC, Paul MIllsap/ATL, Josh Smith/DET, Monta Ellis/DAL, Andray Blatche/BKN, Tyreke Evans/NOP, Paul Pierce/BKN, Gerald Wallace/BOS, Vince Carter/DAL, Mike Scott/ATL, Dante Cunningham/MIN
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