There is no NBA action on Wednesday, so tonight is extra busy with 11 NBA games and it’s your last chance to pre-qualify for the $200K Holiday Classic on Thursday at Draft Kings. First prize is $25,000 — it’s a $20 entry fee for a maximum of 11,340 teams. $200,000 will be paid to the top 2,300 finishers, even if it doesn’t fill. Join a Satellite contest tonight — to earn a ticket to the big event for just $2.00 or $5.00.
Last night Klay Thompson $7600 scored 25 points in 28 minutes and Stephen Curry $10700 double-doubled in only 25 minutes, as the Warriors used 13 players in an easy victory. Festus Ezeli $3000 started at C and David Lee $7000 finally made his first appearance of the season, though he is not recommended for a while in DFS. Beginning to show some fatigue from trying to carry the Lakers, Kobe Bryant $9500 (fatigue) is questionable, so this one could be lopsided. Nick Young $4800 might have a huge night if Kobe sits and they are playing catchup.
The Blazers and Damian Lillard $8800 play their second tough road game in 24 hours and fourth in five nights. LaMarcus Aldridge $10600 sat out with an illness and is questionable this evening. The Thunder are better-rested, at home, with more at stake. Russell Westbrook $11900 is worth his astronomical salary most nights and if and Kevin Durant $10500 (ankle) returns, they should romp. No one player picks up for KD when he’s out; Steven Adams $4400, Reggie Jackson $5300, Serge Ibaka $6800 and Andre Roberson all gain a bit of value.
Plays of the Day
Open a new account at DK and get a FREE entry for tonight’s $45K Layup — the winner gets $5,000 and 5,075 of 25,875 teams earn cash prizes. Your initial deposit ($5 or more) is matched 100% up to $600 with bonus money, which you earn a dollar at a time as you play. To win even more, play for higher stakes in the $100K Crossover — $27 to enter, maximum 4,200 teams, top 840 get paid and first place is worth $15,000.
It’s always a tough decision whether or not to pay huge dollars for a superstar. LeBron James $11600 could have a field day against Minnesota, or spread the wealth to his teammates. The Cavs should win, but the Wolves have a couple of potential bargains in Shabazz Muhammad $5600 and Chase Budinger $3000, whose roles have expanded since Corey Brewer was dealt.
Anthony Davis $11700 had a rare off-night when I used him on Saturday, then exploded (38 PTS, 12 REB, 3 BLK) the next day to beat me. That’s how it goes sometimes. Feel free to build a team around him, but I’m looking to other games.
I do like Nikola Vucevic $8900 as the #1 center on the board tonight, and Victor Oladipo $6000 is another solid play as the Magic host Boston. Things are still settling for the Celtics since the Rondo deal; it’s not easy to predict their new rotation.
The Clippers fell in San Antonio on Monday while the surprising Hawks won in Dallas. Fatigue is a factor for everyone tonight. Blake Griffin $11000 and Chris Paul $10300 are always playable, J.J. Redick $4700 hit five triples and DeAndre Jordan $8500 is a load in the paint. Al Horford $7400 and Paul Millsap $8200 are the main men for Atlanta, though Dennis Schroeder $5200 was terrific last night — 22 PTS, 6 AST — filling in for Jeff Teague $7000 (hamstring).
Smarting from that home loss, the Mavericks must regroup in Phoenix. Rajon Rondo $7900 double-doubled and Tyson Chandler $6800 grabbed 9 boards, but Dirk Nowitzki $6400 and Monta Ellis $7500 combined for eight turnovers and Chandler Parsons $7100 virtually disappeared. Eric Bledsoe $8700 leads the Suns, Goran Dragic $7300 is playing with some back pain and others take turns getting hot. It’s a tough game to handicap.
Ty Lawson $9500 was the only effective Nugget in Monday’s ugly loss to Charlotte; now he leads them into Brooklyn with Deron Williams $7300 (calf) questionable and Jarrett Jack $5000 poised for another start after a double-double on Sunday. Mason Plumlee $6900 and Joe Johnson $6700 are also playing very well for the Nets at reasonable prices.
Those Hornets have won three straight despite Lance Stephenson (groin) being sidelined and Al Jefferson $9000 is hurting. Kemba Walker $8500 and Gary Neal $4200 are the safest plays, but this is an opportunity for the Bucks, who haven’t played since Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo $5500 filled the stat sheet in a loss to the Clippers and the second unit got plenty of run, led by Jerryd Bayless $4500 and Jared Dudley $3700. Even the frustrating Larry Sanders $4000 is a great price if Big Al is fatigued.
After scoring an incredible 49 points in the fourth quarter to beat Toronto, Derrick Rose $7000, Pau Gasol $8700 and Jimmy Butler $7700 must travel to Washington for a tough back-to-back. John Wall $10100 and his teammates were flat against Phoenix on Sunday to snap a 6-game winning streak and should bounce back. I’m passing on everyone here.
Chris Bosh (calf) has missed five straight games and Dwyane Wade $8400 (knee bruise) is questionable. The Heat might still get a W at home against the 76ers if Luol Deng $6500 has another big night and unheralded guys like Norris Cole $4000 and James Ennis $3300 step up. Michael-Carter-Williams $9400, Nerlens Noel $6200 and Robert Covington $5800 lead the visitors in this uninspiring game.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | John Wall $10100 | Brandon Knight $6800 | Norris Cole $4000 |
| SG | Eric Bledsoe $8700 | G. Antetokounmpo $5500 | James Ennis $3300 |
| SF | LeBron James $11600 | S. Muhammad $5600 | Chase Budinger $3000 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $11700 | Paul Millsap $8200 | Udonis Haslem $3000 |
| C | Nikola Vucevic $8900 | Mason Plumlee $6900 | Festus Ezeli $3000 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.