It’s Black Friday, so DraftKings has reduced prices to enter four of its biggest NBA contests. The $100K Crossover, normally $27 to enter, is “a steal at $25.99,” and the $20K Zone is “price slashed to $4.69” instead of the usual five bucks.
There’s a rare 1:00 ET start for the Bulls-Celtics game, which will be ignored in the vast majority of daily leagues. It’s easier to focus on the other 11 games that begin at 7:00, and the DK guaranteed-money events.
Plays of the Day
If you haven’t joined DK yet, click for a FREE entry (worth $2) to win as much as $5,000 in tonight’s $50K Layup, where 5,750 of 28,750 teams earn cash. They will also match your initial deposit 100% (up to $600) with bonus money that gets added to your account as you play.
Clippers-Rockets is the game of the night. Who can slow down Chris Paul $9600 and Blake Griffin $9300? Up against those two superstars, will Isaiah Canaan $4300 and Donatas Motiejunas $4300 come close to repeating their recent big games? If they do, we could see an exciting, high-scoring battle. James Harden $10400 has earned 57.25, 61.5 and 52 FPTS (DK fantasy points) in his last three; my rule of thumb is 5 FPTS per $1000 of salary, so he more than earns his keep.
Mavs at Raptors is one hot ticket in this town. I’m nervous about the crafty Dallas big men. Dirk Nowitzki $6800 can score on anyone. Tyson Chandler $6000 was superb in his return to New York and can keep it going against still-developing Jonas Valanciunas $5900. My “balanced” lineup — no expensive studs or extremely cheap risks — is built around them. Toronto does have a big edge at PG with Kyle Lowry $8400 vs. Devin Harris $4000 and both clubs have plenty of depth.
The Warriors continue to roll through weaker teams on this perfect road trip; the sputtering Hornets will be no exception. Stephen Curry $9500, Klay Thompson $7300, Draymond Green $6000, Harrison Barnes $4900 and Andrew Bogut $5900 are stackable, especially if you’re more confident than me about a high score. Al Jefferson $8200 is steady for Charlotte; Cody Zeller $4000 is gradually taking over at PF and bears watching.
Darren Collison $6800 (quad) and Rudy Gay $7500 (Achilles) are officially ‘questionable’ so watch for updates on their status. Sore and road-weary, the Kings should be no match for San Antonio, but feel free to build your lineup around DeMarcus Cousins $1060, who could be a one-man team. Tim Duncan $7900, Tony Parker $6700, Danny Green $4600 and Kawhi Leonard $7000 are all attractively priced, though the possibility of garbage time does exist.
I’ll take the Suns to beat the Nuggets in this home-and-home. Markieff Morris $6800 had 15 PTS, 10 REB, 7 AST, 4 BLK, 3 STL in Phoenix on Wednesday; Eric Bledsoe $7700 was also great and sixth man Gerald Green $5600 had 24, including six triples. Timofey Mozgov $5500 and Wilson Chandler $5800 are the best value plays for Denver. Avoid Danilo Gallinari $4800 (knee) and Isaiah Thomas $5600 (ankle).
The Knicks will likely be without Carmelo Anthony $9400 (back) as they visit the Thunder, but Jose Calderon $4800 is worth a long look. Amid rumors that Russell Westbrook $8900 (hand) and Kevin Durant $10300 (foot) may return as soon as tonight, neither is recommended just yet. Serge Ibaka $7100 is a strong play and Reggie Jackson $7700 retains his value for now.
Young and hurting, the visiting Timberwolves provide the Lakers with a good chance to win. Kobe Bryant $9200, Jeremy Lin $5300 and Jordan Hill $6600 are the best guys to own. Andrew Wiggins $5000 is becoming a factor and Thaddeus Young $6700 can only improve on his first game back from an extended personal leave.
Pelicans-Hawks is another tossup for me; there will be better situations for Anthony Davis $11200, who must be spectacular — not merely excellent — to warrant that price. After three straight where he’s “earned” a much higher salary, Jeff Teague $7000 remains a relative bargain.
There may be profit opportunities in Magic @ Pacers or Bucks @ Pistons, but they aren’t obvious. Rodney Stuckey $4100 is a steal if he can sustain the improvement from his last two, and Tobias Harris $7000 is a load when 100% healthy.
Grizzlies at Blazers may be the best of the late-night games. However, the big guns are fairly priced on both sides and the outcome is too close to call.
If you are considering any 1:00 contests, Derrick Rose $6400, Pau Gasol $7600 and Joakim Noah $6500 are all probable, with Jimmy Butler $7400 perhaps the safest play. For Boston, Rajon Rondo $7800 and Jared Sullinger $7400 are most interesting.
Good luck! See you on the leaderboard.
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.