Enjoy your day off, America. We greatly admire the late Dr. King here in Canada and around the world, but for most of us it’s just another Monday — except for plenty of NBA action in the afternoon. DraftKings has All-Day offerings that close at 2:00 Eastern spanning all 12 games, along with 7:30 action that covers just four and 10:00 Late pools on two rather lopsided tilts.
Nuggets at Warriors could produce large DFS numbers. Klay Thompson $7700 scored 59 points in two games, plus five blocks that really added to his value. Stephen Curry $10300 was close to a triple-double against the Rockets and Marreese Speights $4300 was a surprise starter in that win, as Andrew Bogut $4500 is being handled carefully. Ty Lawson $8900 can’t stop Curry, but he’ll try to trade buckets.
Without Mike Conley $7700 (ankle) the Grizzlies are somewhat declawed, but at full strength they can beat anyone. Beno Udrih $4000 has filled in capably, shooting 13-19 in a pair of victories, and Zach Randolph $7700 has double-doubled in five straight since returning from a knee injury. Marc Gasol $8400 and Tyson Chandler $6300 will be battling at both ends, but Rajon Rondo $7500 is playing with a tender Achilles, so it’s up to Monta Ellis $7000 and Dirk Nowitzki $6500 to lead the Mavs.
Indiana visits Houston as an extreme underdog. David West $6400 is their best player and they have trouble scoring. James Harden $10800 had a rare off-night on Saturday and should bounce back to dominate this game. Dwight Howard $7900 vs. Roy Hibbert $6100 could be interesting; the other Rockets tend to spread out the scoring. Trevor Ariza $5800, Donatas Motiejunas $5500 and/or Patrick Beverley $5200 could get hot.
The four evening games are highlighted by Chicago at Cleveland. LeBron James $10800 has come back strong from his injuries, but Kevin Love $9600 (back) is questionable, so Kyrie Irving $8900 — who scored 37 on Friday — needs to be at his best again for the Cavs. The Bulls have their own big three in Pau Gasol $9500, Derrick Rose $7000 and Jimmy Butler $8200. With Joakim Noah $6500 (ankle) doubtful, Taj Gibson $5800 is playable. Starting at PF for Love, Tristan Thompson $6300 scored 24 points on 10-12 shooting and grabbed a dozen boards in that big win over the Clippers.
After an amazing run that had people talking playoffs, the Pistons remain 10 games under .500 and they have very little chance against the well-oiled Atlanta machine. Mike Budenholzer has developed a system that maximizes the skills of all five starters. Al Horford $7000 is in peak form, Jeff Teague $8300 orchestrates and Paul Millsap $8400 does a bit of everything. Kyle Korver $5100 hit seven 3-pointers in Saturday’s win, the Hawks’ 12th in a row.
Best of luck to the Celtics, who are looking to the future. The present finds them in L.A. against a vastly superior opponent. The Clippers should cruise, but Chris Paul $9800 and Blake Griffin $9800 don’t come cheap. DeAndre Jordan $7600 is a fair price, and Matt Barnes $4900 is a bargain if he comes close to repeating his last two lines. Boston’s less-expensive role players like Kelly Olynyk $4400 and Brandon Bass $3300 might be better value than their starters.
It’s a back-to-back for the Pelicans and Anthony Davis $11200 (toe) has missed the last two games. If he’s not quite 100%, the Knicks are truly awful so he might rest another day. Carmelo Anthony $8700 (knee) scored 25 points in 28 minutes after missing six games and will again be the focal point. Jose Calderon $4900 woke up playing with Melo in London, but the team managed just 79 points in a lopsided loss. Jrue Holiday $7400 (ankle) is doubtful, so Tyreke Evans $8400 is the primary ballhandler, and if AD doesn’t return, we gave you Alexis Ajinca $3700 yesterday for his career-high 22 points.
The Bucks won easily in London on Thursday and are well-rested. Toronto is in a terrible funk, losing seven of nine, and hit bottom yesterday in a home loss to a shorthanded opponent. It’s been months since DeMar DeRozan $6800 played a back-to-back. I’m passing this one, but you might consider Brandon Knight $7800, Zaza Pachulia $5800 and Khris Middleton $4900 at those salaries.
The wheels have fallen off in Sacramento, where Rudy Gay $7700 (knee) and DeMarcus Cousins $11000 (ankle) are less than 100% if they do suit up. Gay frequently plays hurt and DMC is a beast when healthy, but tonight the Blazers should win easily. Damian Lillard $9500 and LaMarcus Aldridge $9700 are just too good. After a couple of quiet games, Wesley Matthews $5600 drained seven triples and scored 35 points in Memphis.
Overconfidence is the main obstacle for Phoenix as they host the Lakers. Kobe Bryant $8400 (rest) is doubtful and they managed just 85 points without him on Friday. When Nick Young $4200 and Jordan Hill $5800 are your only scorers in double figures, that’s a problem. It’s possible to stack seven Suns (right) and be able to afford an expensive star like Curry, CP3 or LMA as your eighth player. Alex Len $4800 is the best bang for the buck and Markieff Morris $6600 is steady, but all three guards should be unstoppable. Goran Dragic $6800, Eric Bledsoe $8600 and Isaiah Thomas $5500 combined for 61 points when these clubs last met in Los Angeles.
Minnesota at Charlotte would be a lot more interesting if either team was at full strength. Kevin Martin $4600 and Nikola Pekovic $4500 (wrist) are questionable, which is much closer to returning than a week ago. Mo Williams $6300 and Andrew Wiggins $7300 have been the big guns recently, and Gorgui Dieng $7200 can be used if Pek doesn’t play. The Hornets are probably without Kemba Walker $9500 (knee) for at least another game; Gerald Henderson $5100 led them in scoring in an ugly win over Indiana on Sunday.
The 76ers are getting better. In daily fantasy we don’t care if they win, but Michael Carter-Williams $8500 is a stud, Nerlens Noel $5300 keeps learning and K.J. McDaniels $4600 is fun to watch. This may not be a cakewalk for the Wizards, who badly underestimated the Nets on Friday and got embarrassed. When John Wall $9300, Bradley Beal $6300 and Marcin Gortat $5900 are motivated, Washington is by far the better team.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10300 | Goran Dragic $6800 | Beno Udrih $4000 |
| SG | James Harden $10800 | Klay Thompson $7700 | Nick Young $4200 |
| SF | LeBron James $10800 | Andrew Wiggins $7300 | P.J. Tucker $4000 |
| PF | L. Aldridge $9700 | Zach Randolph $7700 | M. Speights $4300 |
| C | Al Horford $7000 | Marcin Gortat $5900 | Alexis Ajinca $3700 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.