Yes, it’s Sunday and that means the NFL to many of you. Good luck with your gridiron picks; here we stick to the hardwood in daily fantasy basketball leagues at DraftKings.
Sunday also means there are two “early” NBA games out of four. Contests that include the Kings at the Clippers close at 3:30 ET, then the Raptors visit the Heat at 6:00. Don’t get shut out.
It’s a mismatch in L.A. this afternoon as the Kings, despite winning on Friday with 40 from Rudy Gay $7500, are in very tough. Blake Griffin $9800 and Chris Paul $9300 are rolling, and DeAndre Jordan $7000 is just the man to defend DeMarcus Cousins $9200. J.J. Redick $4200 is excellent value.
Not everyone loves the split into early and late contests, but I enjoy handicapping both, then deciding whether one or the other might offer a better opportunity. Here’s an angle that has paid off in the past. Use your best 6:00 lineup in a 3:30 contest — effectively ignoring SAC @ LAC — and if the matinee is not high-scoring, you are in an advantageous position, assuming your evening guys perform well.
Normally, a Florida back-to-back is tougher, but Toronto won comfortably in Orlando and Miami (winners in Philly) had the longer flight. Chris Bosh $8900 is off to a fabulous start, and Mario Chalmers $5600 has embraced his new role as primary bench scorer. The dynamic duo for the Raps is DeMar DeRozan $7900 and Kyle Lowry $8300 but (as mentioned yesterday) they have a 10-man rotation, so it’s difficult to predict who else might get hot. Don’t sleep on Shawne Williams $3500 at that price; Josh McRoberts $5600 is not in 100% game shape yet.
Which Knicks team will show up? The one that stumbled around on Wednesday in a 24-point loss, or the one that went to Cleveland the next night and ruined the Cavs’ home opener? Carmelo Anthony $9000 is getting comfortable, Iman Shumpert $3800 looks good and Shane Larkin $3000 is the starting PG until Jose Calderon (calf) returns. J.R. Smith $5000 is playable. The Hornets were strangled at home last night 71-69 — remember that score next time you consider using Grizzlies — and Al Jefferson $9000 is their focal point. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist $5400 looks more aggressive this year.
Almost a ridiculously easy home win last night for the Warriors (predicted here to personal profit) with Stephen Curry $10400 and Klay Thompson $7200 combining for 72 points on 24-for-37 shooting. The Blazers will put up a better fight than those exhausted Lakers did. LaMarcus Aldridge $8900 is the safest play. Damian Lillard $7700 is more affordable than Curry. Chris Kaman $3600 has landed in the perfect spot for this stage of his career. Backing up Robin Lopez $5900 and Aldridge, Kaman is scoring, rebounding and blocking shots for about 20 minutes a night.
DraftKings offers contests for every budget: free, 25 cents, $1, $2, $3, $5 all the way up to $1,000 or more. There are big-jackpot games with thousands of entries and huge payoffs, but there are also games with a 50% chance of winning: Head-to-Head vs. just one opponent, and 50/50 leagues where the top half of the field cashes. See you there!
The Fantasy Spin offers DFS advice every day of the NBA season.
Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.