Players have slumps, teams have slumps and even fantasy tipsters have slumps. On Wednesday night, I got Blake Griffin and Jeff Teague right, but watched in disbelief as the Jazz trounced the Bulls in Chicago.
The resurgent Pistons have now won seven straight. 48 hours ago, I would have given 20-1 odds against them beating San Antonio and Dallas in a road back-to-back. In another shocker, Russell Westbrook followed an unlikely 5-21 shooting night on Monday with an unfathomable 3-19 against the Kings, and the 10th-place Thunder are now closer to 12th than they are to a playoff spot.
It’s not that I expect every prediction to be correct, or every hunch to pay off. I’m just surprised when they turn out so spectacularly wrong. Even at the individual player level, my luck (or timing) has been poor lately. Zaza Pachulia had seven points and six turnovers when I used him on Tuesday, then flirted with a triple-double 24 hours later. As they say at the racetrack when you back a horse one start too soon and don’t follow up, I went to the funeral but missed the wedding.
One of these nights, everything will click into place. Thursday’s three games all appear lopsided, so let’s try to take advantage.
Plays of the Day
Open a new account at DraftKings and get a FREE entry for tonight’s $55K Layup — the winner earns $5,000 and 6,600 of 31,625 teams receive cash prizes. Your initial deposit ($5 or more) is matched 100% up to $600 with bonus money, earned a dollar at a time as you play. Compete for higher stakes in the $80K Crossover — $27 to enter, maximum 3,360 teams, top 705 get paid and the highest score earns $00,000.
The 6-sport, $2.7 MILLION January Jam costs $100 per team, but you can win tickets in Satellite contests for $5, $2 or even a quarter. Those tickets let you choose which sport’s Jam final(s) to enter, like the $2 Million NFL Millionaire Maker this coming Saturday, January 10, where someone will win a million bucks. My target is the $500,000 NBA Slam Dunk on January 28. Top prize in that one is $100,000, enough incentive to contribute $2 a day.
There will be another “Beat Sheridan” contest tomorrow. If you are already signed up at DK through a Sheridan Hoops link, or if you join before 7:00 ET on Friday, just finish ahead of Chris Sheridan and your entry fee will be refunded, in addition to any prize money you win. It’s a sweet deal for our readers, not to mention bragging rights.
The Raptors have lost three straight and allowed 125 points in the last two, finishing 2-4 on a difficult road trip. They have had three full days off to work on defensive schemes and should trounce the Hornets. Kemba Walker $9900 is sizzling, with 30+ in three straight games, Gerald Henderson $5300 has filled in nicely for Lance Stephenson (hip) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist $5400 double-doubled in last night’s home victory over New Orleans.
Kyle Lowry $10200 is Toronto’s best player and Jonas Valanciunas $6100 has a great matchup with Al Jefferson (groin) sidelined. Then it’s a guessing game, with several inexpensive guys who take turns getting hot. DeMar DeRozan (groin) is nearing a return, which will improve the starting five and the second unit. For tonight, at least one of Greivis Vasquez $4000 and Lou Williams $4600 will be a bargain. James Johnson $4600 produces in multiple categories when he gets minutes, and Amir Johnson $4600 might have a bit more spring in those tender ankles after this extended rest.
Two teams improved when Josh Smith $6100 was waived. He got 26 minutes off the bench last night (16 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK) and played the entire fourth quarter as the Rockets pulled away from Cleveland. His best buddy Dwight Howard $8500 double-doubled again and James Harden wasn’t far off a triple-double. Trevor Ariza $5600 added five steals and six rebounds to make a 13-point night more rewarding to his owners. This is Houston’s third game in four nights, but it’s the fourth game in five nights for the floundering Knicks, who have lost 13 in a row, are missing Carmelo Anthony (knee) and traded J.R. Smith for nothing. Their best healthy players are Jose Calderon $4800 and Cole Aldrich $6000; neither is recommended. Do not expect a well-played game and be aware that garbage time could arrive very early. That can affect everyone’s numbers, reducing minutes for the starters while reserves (like Corey Brewer $4000) get extra run.
Damian Lillard $9800 and LaMarcus Aldridge $10000 will be more prominent than ever if Wesley Matthews $6000 (knee) sits out. The Blazers keep rolling along despite a slew of injuries; Chris Kaman $4400 is the new starting C and capable of a double-double at that low price. Backup Meyers Leonard $3000 had 12 points and 12 boards in just 19 minutes on Monday. Nicolas Batum $5900 may be more focused on defending Dwyane Wade $9100 than scoring. Chris Bosh $8500 is Miami’s best hope to keep this game close, and rapidly-improving Hassan Whiteside $3800 just had a double-double with five blocks in a win over Brooklyn.
My sample lineup (above left) is extreme stars-and-scrubs, with four Blazers including the dynamic duo, plus Wade and three possible bargains.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Damian Lillard $9800 | Patrick Beverley $5100 | Greivis Vasquez $4000 |
| SG | James Harden $10200 | Dwyane Wade $9100 | G. Henderson $5300 |
| SF | Josh Smith $6100 | Trevor Ariza $5600 | Corey Brewer $4000 |
| PF | L. Aldridge $10000 | Cody Zeller $5100 | Amir Johnson $4600 |
| C | Chris Bosh $8500 | Jonas Valanciunas $6100 | Chris Kaman $4400 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.