Did they widen the rim? There were a ridiculous number of points scored on Friday. Phoenix (122), Toronto (124), Memphis (117), San Antonio (121), Denver (117) and Dallas (140) all exceeded my most optimistic forecast. Among other types of surprises, the Wizards cast a spell on the out-of-sync Cavs 91-78 and when Taj Gibson hurt his ankle, rookie Nikola Mirotic had a career night.
My success at DraftKings tends to occur when results are more predictable. Though I wasn’t a contender in the big contests, I did scratch out a few dollars in lesser events. It was one of those nights when you’re happy to break even.
Plays of the Day
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Game of the night in every way is Dallas at Houston. Dwight Howard $9100 (knee) is doubtful; without him the fizzling Rockets lost to Kobe & Co. on Wednesday. The Mavs had a ludicrously easy time against the Lakers last night; they can score on anyone. Dirk Nowitzki $6800, Monta Ellis $7700 and Chandler Parsons $6700 are all underpriced, just like they were yesterday.
Toronto visits Cleveland. Many dedicated Raptors fans might have made the drive, but Snowmaggedon in Buffalo is kind of a roadblock. LeBron James $11200 might take over, and DeMar DeRozan $7200 can fill it up. The PG battle between Kyrie Irving $8800 and Kyle Lowry $7800 can be win-win in DFS. Though he had a very nice game last night and is priced right, Jonas Valanciunas $5500 doesn’t always play down the stretch if it’s close.
Anthony Davis $11400 is that rarest Pelican, able to soar above eagles. Tireless, too. He’s averaging 26 PTS, 11 REB and 3 BLK in back-to-backs. You can use a balanced team against him, but it can be worth plugging him in even at that astronomical salary.
The Magic are back home after a win last night in Charlotte. Norris Cole $4100 (finger) and Dwyane Wade $7100 (hamstring) are doubtful, giving Mario Chalmers $5800 and rookie Shabazz Napier $3400 plenty of minutes for the Heat. Chris Bosh $8300 will have his hands full with Nikola Vucevic $8600; take your pick. Tobias Harris $7200 is younger and probably healthier than Luol Deng $5900. Evan Fournier $5100 looks sharp.
Those hapless, blatantly-tanking 76ers will be in Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks should coast. Carmelo Anthony $9500 might go off and keep an eye on Jose Calderon $5900, who could make his belated season debut.
The Kings are vastly improved over last year. DeMarcus Cousins $10300 is growing up, Darren Collison $6700 has found a home and while Rudy Gay $7900 is not quite an all-star, he can fill up a box score. It’s a snakebit season in Minnesota, where Kevin Martin (hand) is the latest key injury. Mo Williams $4700 and Corey Brewer $5200 are cheap, but this one could be lopsided.
The Wizards looked great last night, the Bucks not so much. Bradley Beal $6200 is back, giving John Wall $9400 another weapon.
When you do this every day, it’s hard to avoid sounding like a broken record. We simply don’t know who will play for San Antonio, or for how long. Tony Parker $6700 was superb last night, for what it’s worth.Whatever combination Pop employs is usually hard to beat.
Looking at Suns/Pacers in a vacuum, Phoenix is the much better team. But this is still a road back-to-back, their third game in four nights on a 6-game trip that ends Monday. A letdown or ambush seems possible, so I’m steering clear.
Good luck with all your teams. See you on the leaderboard.
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season.
Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.