It’s a quiet Sunday in the NBA — only three games — on the eve of a busy holiday Monday. There are two start times at DraftKings; contests at 3:30 EST include the Pelicans game in Toronto, where Anthony Davis $11200 (toe) remains questionable. You can also play at 6:00, focusing on just two games.
The Raptors were humiliated by the Hawks on Friday night, losing all four quarters. Kyle Lowry $9800 still deserves to be an all-star but has cooled off a bit. After DeMar DeRozan $6700 missed 21 games with a torn adductor tendon, he’s returned in fine form and is an excellent play. Coach Dwane Casey is getting some heat for sticking with underachieving Terrence Ross $3900 as a starter, when James Johnson $4800 is a far superior player. Developing Ross and Jonas Valanciunas $6000 remains a priority despite inconsistency from both youngsters. JV matches up well today with Omer Asik $4500.
Jrue Holiday $7400 (ankle) has missed two games, with Tyreke Evans $8300 handling the ball more in his absence. If Davis plays, New Orleans has a chance to win the game. If he sits again, guys like Asik, Ryan Anderson $5700 and Eric Gordon $5300 become far more valuable in DFS, though they were not as effective as I hoped in Friday’s loss to the Sixers. Seldom-used Alexis Ajinca $3700 was their best player in that one. Obviously, your strategy will depend on breaking news near game time.
You can win plenty by using players from the evening games in All-Day competition, especially the Thunder visiting Orlando. Kevin Durant $10700 scored 36 points and Russell Westbrook $10200 had a magnificent triple-double (17 PTS, 17 AST, 15 REB) with five steals to beat the mighty Warriors on Friday. WB claims it was “execution” but it really helped that Serge Ibaka $6500 played his best game in ages and Dion Waiters $4200 was terrific in 37 minutes off the bench. When all four contribute, OKC is extremely hard to beat.
The Magic won’t roll over at home. Nikola Vucevic $8800 and Victor Oladipo $6800 are on fire, rookie Elfrid Payton $5300 is improving and after a long shooting slump, Channing Frye $4500 has drained nine triples in the last two games. This one should be high-scoring, and the rotations are far more predictable than either of the others, so it looks like the key to winning cash.
While the outcome seems a foregone conclusion — San Antonio is a double-digit favorite — you never know who will be the heroes on a given night. Kawhi Leonard $7500 showed no rust at all after missing 15 games, Tony Parker $5800 seems fully recovered from a hamstring strain and Tim Duncan $8700 remains a superstar. Danny Green $5600 is quietly having a career year and multiple players from the second unit are capable of big numbers if Gregg Popovich turns to them. Manu Ginobili $5300 and Patty Mills $3600 are less risky, but Boris Diaw $4200 could play quite a bit against the mobile Vucevic.
With apologies to Jazz fans, this is no contest. Gordon Hayward $7800 will be shadowed by Kawhi and Derrick Favors $8000 will have to get around the Big Fundamental. In fact, the high possibility of garbage time makes me cautious using players from either team, but especially in Late contests, we need Spurs.
Both the sample lineup above and today’s Short List are for All-Day action and assume that the Unibrow doesn’t play. If he does, adjust accordingly. Good luck!
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | R. Westbrook $10200 | Tony Parker $5800 | Patty Mills $3600 |
| SG | Tyreke Evans $8300 | DeMar DeRozan $6700 | Dion Waiters $4200 |
| SF | Kevin Durant $10700 | Kawhi Leonard $7500 | James Johnson $4800 |
| PF | Tim Duncan $8700 | Serge Ibaka $6500 | Channing Frye $4500 |
| C | Nikola Vucevic $8800 | J. Valanciunas $6000 | Alexis Ajinca $3700 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.