How do you replace DeMar DeRozan? Toronto’s all-star and leading scorer will be out indefinitely with a groin injury that involves a torn tendon. His misfortune actually benefits daily fantasy players, because salaries have yet to adjust and at least three Raptors will share those 33 minutes per game.
Dwane Casey and his staff do have options. Terrence Ross $4500 figures to see more action at SG, with James Johnson $3000 — their most versatile and aggressive defender — perhaps even starting at SF. Lou Williams $5000, already a productive sixth man, becomes even more important. Greivis Vasquez $3500 will also enjoy an expanded role, as he can handle both guard spots.
Kyle Lowry $8400 is a stud, Amir Johnson $4900 loves to play in his home town and Jonas Valanciunas $5900 has been asserting himself lately. DeRozan, another L.A. native who starred at Compton High and USC, is with his teammates, who should be motivated to play well in his absence, particularly tonight. Kobe Bryant $9200 will try to keep the overmatched Lakers in the hunt. I’m going to use him (and LaMarcus Aldridge $9100) with my six-Raptor lineup.
A relatively busy NBA Sunday includes three matinees. Only contests that close at 1:00 ET use all eight games; they are designated All Day or Early in the DraftKings lobby. At 6:00 Eastern, many more DK contests close that include five games. (There are even Late Only, H2H and 3-player contests that cover just the 9:00 and 9:30 starts.)
Of the five evening tilts, the Suns look like a strong choice at home to Orlando. Eric Bledsoe $7700 is the best SG on a thin board if you don’t like (or can’t afford) Kobe. Markieff Morris $6700 is solid, while Goran Dragic $6600 and Gerald Green $4700 are more valuable if Isaiah Thomas $5600 (ankle) misses another game. Phoenix may not stop Nikola Vucevic $8800, but should prevail.
The Grizzlies are in Sacramento, playable as ever. Mike Conley $7500 can thrive if Darren Collison $6700 (quad) is less than 100%, and the 1-2 punch of Marc Gasol $8700 and Zach Randolph is $7900 is better than DeMarcus Cousins $10600 and whoever plays next to him. If DMC (illness) misses another game, Rudy Gay $7500 will try to pick up the scoring slack, though Gay (Achilles) has been playing hurt too.
Portland is 8-1 at home, experienced and reasonably healthy. Damian Lillard $8900 should be over an illness and Nicolas Batum $6400 (knee) is not quite himself, but Aldridge and Robin Lopez $5700 will own the middle and Wesley Matthews $6000 is the deep threat. The only Minnesota player worth considering is Thaddeus Young $6900.
The above lineup can be played at all three start times, by the way. If you prefer any players from the earlier games, be sure to enter before the deadline. There are countless other directions you can go to assemble a winning roster. Here are 15 suggestions, at every position and price range.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Kyle Lowry $8400 | Mike Conley $7500 | Greivis Vasquez $3500 |
| SG | Kobe Bryant $9200 | Wesley Matthews $6000 | Gerald Green $4700 |
| SF | Rudy Gay $7500 | Kawhi Leonard $6900 | James Johnson $3000 |
| PF | LaMarcus Aldridge $9100 | Markieff Morris $6700 | Amir Johnson $4900 |
| C | Nikola Vucevic $8800 | Jonas Valanciunas $5900 | Kelly Olynyk $3000 |
Spurs-Celtics might be lively and high scoring. Kawhi Leonard $6900 is heating up, Tony Parker $6700 seems underpriced and Tim Duncan $7900 remains great. Jared Sullinger $7400 and Rajon Rondo $7800 are the best plays for Boston, though Kelly Olynyk $3000 has been slashed to the rock-bottom salary and just needs to get out of his coach’s doghouse.
Heat-Knicks is not too exciting, as we focus on high-scoring potential in DFS. Without Carmelo Anthony $9400 (back) it’s up to Jose Calderon $5200 to generate points. Amar’e Stoudemire $5300 called out his teammates after a poor effort on Friday, so we’ll see how they respond. J.R. Smith $6100 and Iman Shumpert $5200 are playable, but Chris Bosh $8400 could dominate this one.
The Bulls should beat the Nets if everyone is healthy. Jimmy Butler $7400 and Pau Gasol $7600 have been great all season. Derrick Rose $5700 is still capable of a big game, but so is Deron Williams $7800. Again, this might be more of a defensive battle than a few other matchups.
The Warriors keep rolling through this extended trip East, and even if fatigued, are too good for the Pistons. Be careful using them, because Stephen Curry $9900 and the other starters probably won’t play any more than necessary. Suddenly-hot Mareeese Speights $4700 and Shaun Livingston $3000 might get extra run. For Detroit, Andre Drummond $7300 has woken up and Josh Smith $6600 is reasonably priced.
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.