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Monday’s seven NBA games include three exciting conference matchups between some of the league’s best teams. Toronto begins a difficult six-game trip in Chicago. Derrick Rose $7000 (illness) should be back, Pau Gasol $8700 seems unstoppable and Jimmy Butler $7700 is in the Most Improved conversation. The Raptors had a fairly easy time yesterday beating the Knicks, but Kyle Lowry $10000 will have to be great tonight for them to win. James Johnson $3900 moved into the starting five and could be the best value play in what profiles as a tight defensive battle.
Portland at Houston is not only important, it could be fast-paced. Dwight Howard $9400 (shoulder) is probable and the Blazers will really miss Robin Lopez. James Harden $11600 (hamstring) is also probable; just be aware that neither is 100%. Patrick Beverley $5900 is fairly priced but his main job is to prevent Damian Lillard $8800 from taking over. The difference in this terrific game could be LaMarcus Aldridge $10600, whose 52-minute masterpiece in triple-OT on Friday didn’t prevent him from schooling Anthony Davis 24 hours later.
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In the nightcap, the Warriors are by far the better team. We aren’t certain how the Kings will fare in a back-to-back, especially DeMarcus Cousins $10400, who destroyed the Lakers (29 PTS, 14 REB, 3 BLK, 2 STL, 2 AST) and Rudy Gay $8500, who continues to play with a strained Achilles tendon. Ben McLemore $5300 is also on a roll, but Klay Thompson $7600 is a tough matchup. Likewise, Stephen Curry $10700 should have his way with Darren Collison $6500. If you think DMC can keep it close all night with another monster line, use as many as you can from this game: Draymond Green $7500, Cousins and Curry make today’s sample lineup, and it was a tough choice between Butler and Thompson at SG.
Of course, this is an extreme stars/scrubs approach. Johnson is my fifth-best player and there’s just $9800 left to fill three roster spots. Thomas Robinson $3000 and Steve Blake $3000 have both seen extra minutes lately as the Blazers go small more often. Crossing my fingers for overtime.
The world champion Spurs have lost four straight and six of eight. Tim Duncan $8900 will be rested and ready for the challenge of Blake Griffin $11000 but with Tony Parker (hamstring) out, Chris Paul $10300 can take it to Cory Joseph $5200. Kawhi Leonard (hand) is also sitting, so Kyle Anderson $4200 is a possible bargain. Expect Danny Green $6500 to continue racking up fantasy numbers.
A fourth “big game” has the Hawks in Dallas. Monta Ellis $7500 was fantastic on Saturday (38 PTS, 4 STL) in his first game alongside Rajon Rondo $7900; any of the Mavs’ starters are capable of going off on a given night. Tyson Chandler $6800 vs. Al Horford $7300 is a contrast in effective styles, just like Paul Millsap $8300 vs. Dirk Nowitzki $6400. Atlanta is at a big disadvantage if Jeff Teague $7000 (hamstring) is still not 100%. According to over/under lines, this is the second-best source of points this evening and you can assemble a solid team by keying on it.
There may be good DFS plays hidden in a relatively meaningless game as Denver visits Charlotte. Lance Stephenson (groin) is out and Al Jefferson $9000 left early on Saturday with a groin strain. Ty Lawson $9700 vs. Kemba Walker $8400 is interesting but the Nuggets have a bigger edge on the wings, where Arron Afflalo $5900 can handle Gerald Henderson $4300. I’ve plugged Marvin Williams $3400 into my Util spot above as the least-bad fit with the remaining dollars; he’s been near the 30 minute mark in his last two.
The Jazz are going to meet some angry Grizzlies after they lost in Cleveland last night. Zach Randolph $8000 (knee) is questionable, so Jon Leuer $4700 may get another start. Mike Conley $8200 and Marc Gasol $9200 are just too good for Trey Burke $5300 and Enes Kanter $6500. Benched for much of a loss on Saturday, Derrick Favors $7300 can make amends, but I’m avoiding everyone from both teams, assuming a low score.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10700 | Mike Conley $8200 | Steve Blake $3000 |
| SG | James Harden $11600 | Jimmy Butler $7700 | G. Henderson $4300 |
| SF | Rudy Gay $8500 | Draymond Green $7500 | James Johnson $3900 |
| PF | LaMarcus Aldridge $10600 | Dirk Nowitzki $6400 | T. Robinson $3000 |
| C | DeMarcus Cousins $10400 | Tyson Chandler $6800 | Chris Kaman $4500 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.