Friday was a night of surprises. Jared Dudley $3700 couldn’t miss (24 points on 10-10 shooting) as the Bucks destroyed a bunch of impostors wearing Hawks uniforms. Both LaMarcus Aldridge (illness) and Chris Kaman (family) didn’t play, so Joel Freeland pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds.In a nifty bit of addition by subtraction, the Pistons scored 119 points in their first game since Josh Smith was waived. DeMarcus Cousins $10900 was scratched with a stomach illness.
Unlike my boss Chris Sheridan, who made a tidy profit at DraftKings, I wasn’t close to the money. Fortunately, we all start even tonight. One of the best NBA games on Saturday isn’t included in the majority of DFS contests; the Raptors visit the Clippers at 3:30 Eastern. The other nine are in play at 7:00.
Plays of the Day
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Real life has interfered with fantasy hoops today, so here are a few quick observations, my sample lineup and the Short List, which includes one player at each position in three different price ranges. Good luck with all your teams.
Stephen Curry $10600 has been kept relatively quiet for three straight games. He’s due for a heat check.
At C, the clear choice is Marc Gasol $9300, with Marcin Gortat $6900 also matching up well vs. the Celtics.
John Wall $10400 is at least as good a PG play as Curry, because the Celtics have rookie Marcus Smart $4700 starting.
You have to give Jason Kidd a lot of credit, as he fashions Milwaukee’s kiddie corps into a team. Off that huge win in Atlanta, they should be confident in the second half of an old-fashioned home-and-home. Dudley might stay hot, Brandon Knight $6800 is underrated and Zaza Pachulia $4200 is a bargain for a starting center.
Carmelo Anthony $10500 is the obvious focal point for the Knickerbockers, with Jose Calderon $4800 possibly the best price. If DMC can’t go, Reggie Evans $3000 is a plug-and-play bargain for the Kings, and Rudy Gay $8300 becomes the primary option. Omri Casspi $3000 has played two games since the coaching change and seems to be part of the rotation.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | John Wall $10400 | Derrick Rose $6900 | Tony Wroten $4300 |
| SG | Dwyane Wade $8300 | Jimmy Butler $8000 | Avery Bradley $4100 |
| SF | Carmelo Anthony $10500 | Tobias Harris $7400 | Jared Dudley $3700 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $11600 | Paul Millsap $8200 | Kris Humphries $3700 |
| C | Marc Gasol $9300 | Marcin Gortat $6900 | Zaza Pachulia $4200 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.