The Knicks finally won! The lowly Pistons defeated a team from the West! Perhaps responding to being called out as “soft” by Kobe Bryant, the Lakers beat the Spurs in overtime, and the Hornets fully extended the Grizzlies before falling in double OT.
All of those results came as complete shocks; Friday was my worst handicapping of the season. That’s how it goes in pro sports. Anything can happen, and last night it did, repeatedly. LeBron James went from questionable with a sore knee to a 41-point explosion. Dwyane Wade, doubtful with an illness, scored a season-high 29 with seven assists.
There are eight more games on Saturday. Let’s hope they are somewhat easier to predict. Unfortunately, the afternoon tilt between the Warriors and Mavericks is not included in the vast majority of daily leagues. There are a number of 2:00 ‘All-Day’ contests where you can use Stephen Curry $10300 and Draymond Green $6000 or the Dallas stars, but we’re focused on the other seven games.
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Nuggets at Rockets could be a shootout, which we like in DFS. There’s been some buzz about Dwight Howard $9200 (knee) returning, but he remains doubtful. James Harden $11000 just scored 57 and 69.5 FPTS in a road back-to-back; ignore him at your peril. Patrick Beverley $5500 is a great price and Donatas Motiejunas $5200 will not disappear when Howard returns. Wilson Chandler $6200, Arron Afflalo $5400 and Timofey Mozgov $5500 look good for Denver.
My sample lineup today is Harden, five other guys from that game and two Kings. It’s hard to get excited about the Pistons in Sacramento, even after last night’s huge surprise, led by Andre Drummond $8300 with 23 PTS and 14 REB. Darren Collison $6500 and Rudy Gay $8400 are a dynamic duo and Jason Thompson $4600 is the same salary after that 13-PT, 15-REB effort on Thursday.
Nets at Hornets is potentially a low-scoring yawn, as both teams played last night. Al Jefferson $8300 is better than Mason Plumlee $4700, but you get what you pay for.
This is a road back-to-back for Blazers, who have now lost two straight but should get the job done over the inferior (and equally tired) Pacers. LaMarcus Aldridge $10300 and Damian Lillard $8500 each scored 35 in defeat, but are not guaranteed to repeat.
There’s an old-fashioned home-and-home with Orlando trying hard to split. Last night was the time to play the Hawks, and they scored only 87 points. DeMarre Carroll $5600 is still a great price.
The Clippers are way too good for the Bucks, but they lost last night (for the first time in 10 games) and will not be trying to run up the score. DeAndre Jordan $7000 should be a force inside and J.J. Redick $4300 is a hunch.
Theoretically, the Grizzlies will take out their frustrations on the Sixers. However, if they are a bit tired and Michael Carter-Williams $8600 keeps it close, his teammates — Tony Wroten $5500, K.J. McDaniels $5700, Nerlens Noel $5200, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute $4000 and — are really cheap. Robert Covington $3600 is the best play of all; promoted to the starting five last night and touted here, he scored 20 PTS with 6 REB.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Chris Paul $10000 | Darren Collison $6500 | Patrick Beverley $5500 |
| SG | James Harden $11000 | Arron Afflalo $5400 | Jodie Meeks $3700 |
| SF | Rudy Gay $8400 | Wilson Chandler $6200 | Donatas Motiejunas $5200 |
| PF | Paul Millsap $8900 | Jason Thompson $4600 | Robert Covington $3600 |
| C | Andre Drummond $8300 | Timofey Mozgov $5500 | Mason Plumlee $4900 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.