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Reality is bleak for the winless Lakers, who have allowed 118 points per game. Their DFS outlook is better. Kobe Bryant $7800 is getting very little help, but looks fit . Carlos Boozer $4800 has regressed with each game to the point where his salary has dropped abruptly; he’ll be a bargain when (if) he has a good night. Jordan Hill $4700 is also a nice price. Markieff Morris $5900 is a strong play, twin brother Marcus Morris $3400 will continue to start at SF (despite the return of P.J. Tucker $4800) and of the three quality guards, Goran Dragic $5900 has been content to facilitate so far, with his salary now dropping into a hard-to-resist zone. Isaiah Thomas $5400 is most likely to finish the game and rack up easy points if it’s a blowout.
Chris Bosh $9000, Luol Deng $5900 and Dwyane Wade $7500 were all in top form in beating Toronto, and Shawne Williams $3000 is a great price until Josh McRoberts $4000 is fully healthy. Mario Chalmers $5400 lost the starting PG job to Norris Cole $4200 but Rio is now a scoring combo guard off the bench and rookie Shabazz Napier $3000 is quickly emerging as the second-unit PG. For the visitors, in a back-to-back, Trevor Ariza $6000 and emergency PG Isaiah Canaan $4000 could provide the best bang for the buck, while James Harden $10300 is a scoring machine.
LeBron James $10700 is still figuring out a new coach and new teammates. Kevin Love $9200 is learning his role. One of these nights it will really start to click for the Cavaliers. LaMarcus Aldridge $9000 is nearly as productive as LBJ and all the Blazers are consistent. Not many underpriced guys in this fascinating game.
If you do want to key on expensive superstars like LBJ and Harden, you must fill with bargains. Here’s a sample “stars and scrubs” lineup that will change before the 7 pm deadline if there’s any breaking news that affects player values.
The question with Anthony Davis $11500 is how often anyone can earn that salary? Too rich for me. Jrue Holiday $7300, Tyreke Evans $7300 and Omer Asik $6500 also doing well. The Pelicans were stifled in Memphis last night (we warned you) but I like their bounce-back potential in this Battle of the Hornets, former and current.
Carmelo Anthony $8700 and Shane Larkin $3700 are the safest Knicks to play; The visiting Wizards are led by John Wall $8700 but my eye is on Marcin Gortat $6800 this evening and Paul Pierce $5600 is an attractive price.
In contrast to the above, here’s my “safe” lineup. Nobody above $7800, nobody below $5400, hoping for 30+ fantasy points from all eight and 40+ from a few. There is no right way to do this. Predictions are hard, especially about the future.
The Raptors missed 15 free throws in their only loss. DeMar DeRozan $8000, Kyle Lowry $7200 and Jonas Valanciunas $6200 are solid against a tired, crippled opponent. The snakebit Thunder suffered yet another injury (avoid Andre Roberson) but Reggie Jackson $5800 returned last night — he could be Mr. November.
Rodney Stuckey (foot) is unlikely to be at his best and may sit out entirely, so Donald Sloan $6000 and Roy Hibbert $6000 are the main healthy Pacers. It’s hard to figure the Bucks, even for new coach Jason Kidd. Potential bargains — if they get the minutes — include Giannis Antetokounmpo $3300 and John Henson $3500.
At home, the Bulls should beat Orlando but check injury reports especially carefully. Derrick Rose $6500 is probable but has two sore ankles, equalling a league record. Jimmy Butler $5000 looked fine in his return on Saturday from a sprained thumb and Taj Gibson $5300 is expecting to play despite his tender ankle. Magic rookie Elfrid Payton $3900 is worth keeping an eye on; his third NBA game was his best.
See you at DraftKings. Good luck tonight!
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season.
Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.