In just two days, the biggest individual DraftStreet NBA contest since Christmas Day takes place. The winner of the NBA Big Score will win $50,000 out of a total prize pool of $150,000, with the top 400 finishers winning at least $100. The Big Score is open for registration (at the top of the NBA lobby); all it takes to enter is a DraftStreet account and $55. If you want a cheaper way in, there are satellites running every day for as little as $1. If you don’t have a DraftStreet account, you can sign up using this link.
Three weeks remain in the 2013-14 NBA regular season and most teams know whether they should prepare for their first round opponent, or the lottery. There should be plenty of rest given to key veterans, in the form of days off and/or reduced minutes. That means we’ll have to be on the lookout for cheap players who get surprise starts. Here is today’s Fantasy Spin.
What’s Happening at DraftStreet
150K satellites (for March 26 main event): four, ranging from $1 to $11 buy in.
Salary Cap: $11/$8,000, $2/$5,000, $55/$10,000, $215/$8,000, one other.
Survivor Format: $22/$2,400 (Salary Cap), $11/$1,200 (Pick’em)
Pick’em: $2/$2,000, $22/$2,400.
Remember to register at least 10 minutes before the roster deadlines. Monday’s contests start at 7 PM EDT.
My Lineup at DraftStreet
The following is my recommended lineup, subject to change, for the $11/$8,000 Standard Payout GPP at DraftStreet (closing at 7:00 pm EDT). 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:
C-DeAndre Jordan/LAC-$15,493, G-Michael Carter-Williams/PHI-$14,750, F-Serge Ibaka/OKC-$14,291, F-Zach Randolph/MEM-$14,245, C-Marc Gasol/MEM-$13,784, G-Jimmy Butler/CHI-$11,513, G-Brian Roberts/NOP-$8,631, F-Kyle Singler/DET-$7,229
The Pacers’ defense hasn’t been in lockdown mode recently, and the Bulls will be itching for revenge after their loss last week. Butler/CHI is a solid and reasonably priced choice, but I also like Taj Gibson/CHI. Roberts/NOP will get extra minutes if Eric Gordon/NOP is scratched as expected.
Rockets visit Improved Bobcats
Houston Rockets at Charlotte Bobcats (7:00 pm EDT); over/under 205.5 ; Rockets -4. . INJURIES: HOU: Dwight Howard (Q) ; CHA: none.
Regardless of whether Howard/HOU plays, Al Jefferson/CHA is a solid play at center. Kemba Walker/CHA is also a worthy, though riskier, play.
Phoenix Suns* at Atlanta Hawks* (7:30 pm EDT); over/under 213; Suns -3. . INJURIES: PNX: Leandro Barbosa (SEASON); ATL: Kyle Korver (Q), Al Horford (SEASON).
Portland Trail Blazers at Miami Heat (7:30 pm EDT); over/under 208 ; Heat -6. . INJURIES: POR: LaMarcus Aldridge (OUT), Joel Freeland (SEASON); MIA: Dwayne Wade (D), Greg Oden (P).
LeBron/MIA is angry about the Heat’s poor stretch of games, so I expect him to lead the charge and put up big numbers. Wade/MIA will almost certainly rest.
Minnesota Timberwolves* at Memphis Grizzlies (8:00 pm EDT); over/under 196.5; Grizzlies -7.5. . INJURIES: MIN: Nikola Pekovic (OUT), Ronny Turiaf (OUT); MEM: none.
Gorgui Dieng/MIN will get another start, but this one will be against the stout defense of Marc Gasol/MEM and the Grizzlies. Dieng is only fair value in this matchup, while Kevin Love/MIN should be avoided because of matchup and fatigue considerations.
Denver Nuggets* at Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 pm EDT); over/under 218.5; Thunder -11. . INJURIES: DEN: Wilson Chandler (Q), J.J. Hickson, Nate Robinson (SEASON); OKC: Russell Westbrook (Q), Thabo Sefolosha (OUT), Kendrick Perkins (OUT).
It’s apparent that Westbrook’s/OKC knee sprain is not serious. Nevertheless, I expect the Thunder to hold him out of today’s game in order to make certain he’s fully recovered. Besides, they don’t need him to beat a tired Nuggets squad that only just held on to a win against the tired Wizards yesterday.
Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (8:00 pm EDT); over/under 179; Bulls -1.5 . INJURIES: IND: C.J. Watson (Q), Andrew Bynum (OUT); CHI: Derrick Rose (SEASON) .
Brooklyn Nets* at New Orleans Pelicans (8:00 pm EDT); over/under 199.5; Nets -1. . INJURIES: BKN: Andrei Kirilenko (D), Kevin Garnett (OUT), Brook Lopez (SEASON); NOP: Eric Gordon (Q), Ryan Anderson, Jrue Holiday, Jason Smith (SEASON).
The Nets pulled one out of the fire last night against Dallas, but have to deal with a rested and resurgent Pelicans. Anthony Davis/NOP is risky due to price and his recent illness, but is not a bad speculative play.
Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs (8:30 pm EDT); over/under 211.5; Spurs -21 . . INJURIES: PHI: Tony Wroten (OUT); SAS: Tim Duncan (Q), Manu Ginobili (Q), Matt Bonner (Q)
The Spurs’ B-team will be featured heavily in this game, as the best in the league plays the worst. Henry Sims/PHI has been a bright light this past month of futility for the Sixers.
Detroit Pistons at Utah Jazz (9:00 pm EDT); over/under 202; Pistons -1. . INJURIES: DET: none ; UTA: Alec Burks (OUT).
Milwaukee Bucks* at Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 pm EDT); over/under 212.5; Clippers -16 . . INJURIES: MIL: Nate Wolters, Larry Sanders (SEASON); LAC: J.J. Redick (D) .
Considering how poorly the Bucks played against the Kings, the Clippers should have no difficulty blowing them out. With the exception of DeAndre Jordan/LAC, none of the clippers are good options due to the looming blowout and the playing time complications caused by Jamal Crawford’s/LAC (and possibly J.J. Redick’s/LAC) return.
Yesterday’s News
TOP GUNS:
Kevin Love/MIN. Was in his element in a high scoring game.
DeMarcus Cousins/SAC. A truly brilliant performance could have been even better if not for blowout conditions.
Jarrett Jack/CLE, Samuel Dalembert/DAL, Jordan Hill/LAL, Isaiah Thomas/SAC, Carmelo Anthony/NYK.
SLEEPERS:
Jarrett Jack/CLE. The Cavs have not given in despite their injury issues, and yesterday was Jack’s time to shine.
Samuel Dalembert/DAL.
Jordan Hill/LAL. Got the start and got extra touches and rebounds when Pau Gasol/LAL went out.
Raymond Felton/NYK, Marcus Thornton/BKN, O.J. Mayo/MIL.
LET DOWNS:
Pau Gasol/LAL. Played the first half, but dizziness knocked him out of the game.
Jose Calderon/DAL. Suffered a facial injury in his first minute on the court.
Anderson Varejao/CLE. Now a high-quality bench player.
Tyler Zeller/CLE, Andre Kirilenko/BKN, John Wall/WAS, Tyson Chandler/NYK.
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