It’s a busy NBA Tuesday with ten games. Daily fantasy hoopsters have difficult decisions to make on a few expensive mega-stars. Russell Westbrook $9500 is back, amazing as ever, and Kevin Durant $11400 (foot) may return tonight. That’s a steep price for KD unless he’s 100% ready, with no minutes limit. I’m leaning toward New Orleans, where Anthony Davis $11500 might just earn that massive salary and Tyreke Evans $7300 is a solid play.
The Cavaliers are figuring out a new system and each other. LeBron James $11600 seems a bit overpriced, as Kevin Love $8700 finally had the big game we’ve been waiting for and Kyrie Irving $9100 also stepped up. LBJ will be content to share the ball if they keep winning.
Plays of the Day
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Here are 15 players to consider, at each position and in each price range. It’s a challenging puzzle tonight, as there are no standouts near the rock-bottom price of $3000, and those extreme bargains help you afford the expensive studs.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Russell Westbrook $9500 | Jeff Teague $7700 | Greivis Vasquez $4300 |
| SG | Kobe Bryant $9400 | Jimmy Butler $7500 | Nick Young $4400 |
| SF | LeBron James $11600 | Josh Smith $7300 | Terrence Ross $4500 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $11500 | Markieff Morris $6700 | Marreese Speights $4900 |
| C | Nikola Vucevic $8500 | Andrew Bogut $6000 | Tyler Zeller $3700 |
Atlanta is a consistent DFS team. Paul Millsap $8900 is the main man, Al Horford $6800 keeps getting stronger and Jeff Teague $7700 is having a career year. The Celtics allow a lot of points, making DeMarre Carroll $5100 and Kyle Korver $5200 possible value picks.
Are the Lakers getting better? All five starters contributed in Sunday’s OT defeat of the Raptors, led by Kobe Bryant $9400 with a triple-double. Jordan Hill $6600 and Carlos Boozer $6000 are not expensive and Nick Young $4400 is a volume scorer. Josh Smith $7300 and Andre Drummond $7900 are much more reliable since Greg Monroe $7000 began coming off the bench.
Dallas has the league’s best offense. When healthy, the Bulls can slow them down. Joakim Noah $6600 neutralizes Tyson Chandler $6600 and Jimmy Butler $7500 can cover Monta Ellis $7800. Dirk Nowitzki $7300 and Pau Gasol $8200 pose problems for each other. Derrick Rose $5900 might tip the scales in a highly entertaining matchup.
LaMarcus Aldridge $9300 is the safest play but you can’t ignore Damian Lillard $8800 and Wesley Matthews $6100 in a high-scoring environment. It’s a tough back-to-back for the Nuggets after winning a close one in Utah.
The return of Roy Hibbert $7000 improves the Pacers, just not enough to win in Phoenix. Eric Bledsoe $7700, Goran Dragic $6900 and Markieff Morris $6700 are affordable.
In the Manhattan vs. Brooklyn rivalry, Carmelo Anthony $9000 may be the difference if his aching back is OK. Deron Williams $8000 and Brook Lopez $6300 are tempting for those who think the visiting Nets will prevail.
If DeMarcus Cousins $10600 (illness) doesn’t play, it will help all the Raptors, especially Jonas Valanciunas $5900, who can’t stop the Boogie. Kyle Lowry $8600 does everything but dunk, Greivis Vasquez $4300 is starting at SG and they will run a few plays for Terrence Ross $4500.
Back home on a 9-game win streak, the Warriors should have little trouble with Orlando, though Stephen Curry $10300 “tweaked” his ankle on Sunday and may be on a short leash. Klay Thompson $7100 and Draymond Green $5800 are strong plays. Marreese Speights $4900 continues to excel off the bench. Andrew Bogut $6000 has a tough assignment against Nikola Vucevic $8500.
Good luck with all your teams. Hope to see you on the leaderboard.
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.