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While March Madness is reaching its critical stages, it’s a typical busy Friday in the NBA. All but six teams are in action and there are several interesting games between playoff contenders. Here is today’s Fantasy Spin.
What’s Happening at DraftStreet
$100K Satellites: four, from $1 to $11, awarding $55 vouchers.
Salary Cap: $22/$10,000, $2/$4,000, $109/$6,000, and three others.
Pick’em: $11/$2,000, $2/$2,000.
Remember to register at least 10 minutes before the roster deadlines. Friday’s contests start at 7:00 PM EDT.
My Lineup at DraftStreet
The following is my recommended lineup, subject to change, for the $2/$4,000 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-Joakim Noah/CHI-$18,303, F-Tyreke Evans-$15,294, C-Gorgui Dieng/MIN-$14,259, G-Deron Williams/BKN-$14,039, F-Amir Johnson/TOR-$13,202, F-Tristan Thompson/CLE-$9,113, G-Anthony Morrow/NOP-$7,928, G-Terrence Ross/TOR-$7,693
The above is a relatively low-risk lineup, with decent upside. Dieng/MIN, of course, must be replaced if Nikola Pekovic/MIN returns. In that eventuality, I like Goran Dragic/PNX as a replacement. Morrow/NOP is solid value unless one of Brian Roberts/NOP or Eric Gordon/NOP plays.
A Night of Rematches
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors (7:00 pm EDT); over/under 194.5; Raptors -10 . INJURIES: BOS: Gerald Wallace (SEASON) ; TOR: Patrick Patterson (OUT) .
The first of recent rematches finds the Celtics with little to play for. The Raptors have had very few blowout games this season and this one should be no different. DeMar DeRozan/TOR is their best value play, while Terrence Ross/TOR is a good bargain/speculative play. I like Jared Sullinger/BOS as a spec play on the Celtics side, while Rajon Rondo/BOS is solid value.
Indiana Pacers at Washington Wizards (7:00 pm EDT); over/under 187.5; Pacers -2 . INJURIES: IND: C.J. Watson (OUT), Andrew Bynum (OUT) ; WAS: Bradley Beal (P), Marcin Gortat (P), Nene Hilario (OUT).
After a thrilling and needed win over the Heat, Indiana hopes to continue their tough brand of defense-first basketball and run the table on their way top the top East seed. The Wizards key players are hurting a bit, and that places too much pressure on John Wall/WAS to carry the offense.
Charlotte Bobcats at Orlando Magic (7:00 pm EDT); over/under 193; Bobcats -4.5 . INJURIES: CHA: Gary Neal (OUT) ; ORL: Jameer Nelson (P) .
Kyle O’Quinn/ORL has taken over as the Magic starting power forward and he is solid value tonight. Al Jefferson/CHA is in a groove and has an interesting matchup against Nikola Vucevic/ORL. Nelson’s/ORL return will hurt Victor Oladipo’s/ORL value.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Brooklyn Nets (7:30 pm EDT); over/under 196; Nets -8.5 . INJURIES: CLE: Kyrie Irving (OUT) ; BKN: Marcus Thornton (Q), Kevin Garnett (OUT), Andrei Kirilenko (OUT), Brook Lopez (SEASON).
The Cavaliers staged a late rally to overcome the Pistons and with Atlanta fading badly, they have a legit shot at being first round playoff cannon fodder. Dion Waiters/CLE has the keys to the offense and both Jarret Jack/CLE and Matthew Dellavedova/CLE are capable of breakout games. The Nets are starting to feel their front court injuries, though Deron Williams/BKN has been the best point guard in the East in recent weeks and that helps.
Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons (7:30 pm EDT); over/under 202.5; Heat -6.5 . INJURIES: MIA: Dwayne Wade (Q), Ray Allen (OUT); DET: none .
It’s not only rest concerns for Wade/MIA, as he has a sore Achilles to boot. If he sits, ultra cheap Toney Douglas/MIA could get the start and become a top bargain play. LeBron James/MIA should once again carry the team. Brandon Jennings/DET and Josh Smith/DET are undervalued, but risky plays.
Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans (8:00 pm EDT); over/under 195; Pelicans -6.5 . INJURIES: UTA: Alec Burks (OUT) ; NOP: Austin Rivers (P), Brian Roberts (D), Eric Gordon (D), Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson, Jason Smith (all SEASON) .
A murky guard situation could result in full minutes for the sharpshooting Anthony Morrow/NOP. Austin Rivers/NOP is the most likely of the three guards to play, but may not be able to handle 35 minutes, which will mean plenty of Tyreke Evans/NOP at point guard. Monitor the news leading up to the roster deadline.
Los Angeles Lakers* at Minnesota Timberwolves (8:00 pm EDT); over/under 225.5; Wolves -11 . INJURIES: LAL: Jordan Farmar (OUT), Pau Gasol (OUT), Steve Nash (OUT), Kobe Bryant (SEASON) ; MIN: Nikola Pekovic (Q) .
This is a nice set up for a blowout. If Pekovic/MIN rests again, Gorgui Dieng/MIN will be one of the top value plays again, as the Lakers have no one athletic enough to handle him. The Lakers were not impressive in losing to the Bucks last night and will have to shoot very well to stay in this game. Expect Jordan Hill/LAL to regress after a brilliant effort yesterday.
Portland Trail Blazers* at Chicago Bulls (8:00 pm EDT); over/under 188; Bulls -4.5 . INJURIES: POR: LaMarcus Aldridge (Q), Joel Freeland (SEASON) ; CHI: none .
On paper, Joakim Noah/CHI is the best value play by far among elite players. With Portland playing last night, the Bulls defense should dominate this game. Further complicating matters is that Aldridge/POR, who was sharp last night, might sit or be limited in minutes due to needing rest.
Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder (8:00 pm EDT); over/under 208.5; Thunder -12 . INJURIES: SAC: Isaiah Thomas (Q) ; OKC: Thabo Sefolosha (OUT), Kendrick Perkins (OUT) .
Kevin Durant/OKC is a very safe lineup anchor, though his production will be a function of the minutes Russell Westbrook/OKC gets. IF OKC can control DeMarcus Cousins/SAC, it should be an easy win for them and thus there won’t be a need to push Westbrook too far. If Thomas/SAC can’t start Ray McCallum/SAC becomes a great bargain play.
San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets (9:00 pm EDT); over/under 215.5; Spurs -7.5 . INJURIES: SAS: Danny Green (Q), Matt Bonner (OUT) ; DEN: Timofey Mozgov (Q), Jan Vesely (Q), Wilson Chandler (Q), Nate Robinson (SEASON), J.J. Hickson (SEASON) .
After digging a big hole, the Nuggets rallied on the efforts of Kenneth Faried/DEN before falling short. The Spurs’ stupendous depth edge should easily fend off Denver, even if a few San Antonio players are strategically rested. And they will be, since the Spurs have another game tomorrow.
New York Knicks at Phoenix Suns (10:00 pm EDT); over/under 207.5; Suns -6 . INJURIES: NYK: Andrea Bargnani (OUT) ; PNX: Leandro Barbosa (PNX) .
Despite the divergent win-loss records, both teams are in similar playoff positions. There should be no let down here , but the Suns have better depth and should carry the day if they can hit their threes. If you need a cheap dark horse, Gerald Green/PNX fits the bill.
Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors (10:30 pm EDT); over/under 187.5; Warriors -2 . INJURIES: MEM: none ; GSW: David Lee (Q), Andre Iguodala (Q) .
Yesterday’s News
TOP GUNS:
Chris Paul/LAC. This time he made his shots and that made all the difference for the Clippers.
Jordan Hill/LAL. His accurate shooting was the big surprise.
James Harden/HOU. A triple double in three quarters.
LaMarcus Aldridge/POR. A superb matchup and performance in his return.
Dwight Howard/HOU, Blake Griffin/LAC, Terrence Jones/HOU.
SLEEPERS:
Jordan Hill/LAL. The Lakers’ best player last night by a wide margin. He’ll be frustratingly inconsistent, but should get a lot of minutes in what remains of the regular season.
James Anderson/PHI, Elton Brand/ATL, Jae Crowder/DAL.
LET DOWNS:
Paul Millsap/ATL. The Hawks go as he goes and all signs are pointing to them crashing out of the playoff picture.
Dorell Wright/POR. Now back to a deep reserve role.
Michael Carter-Williams/PHI, Thaddeus Young/PHI, Patrick Beverley/HOU.
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