Of the 11 NBA games on Big Friday, two stand out from a DFS perspective. The defenseless Kings and DeMarcus Cousins $11000 visit the Warriors, who are 18-1 at home and the best team in the Association as we near the halfway mark.
Stephen Curry $10100 and Klay Thompson $7900 are remarkably consistent and make each other better. For a while, Draymond Green $7700 was also putting up monster numbers, but lately he’s quite content to focus on things that don’t show up in the box score. That coincides with the return of Andrew Bogut $4600, who is still on a tight leash for minutes but will be trying to slow down DMC while he’s out there.
Another late game with a ridiculously high over/under of 220 is Houston at Phoenix. Snubbed as an All-Star starter, though he will get the nod if/when Kobe Bryant (shoulder) withdraws, James Harden $10800 might make a statement. Dwight Howard $7800 should have a field day against Alex Len $4600, who is hampered by a sore foot, and Miles Plumlee $3300, who is no match. When the Suns are trailing they go small, turning loose Isaiah Thomas $5300 and Gerald Green $4400.
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Extremely interesting in the real world, Oklahoma City at Atlanta might be more like a playoff game than an all-star game, which makes it less attractive in fantasy. While Russell Westbrook $10200 and Kevin Durant $10600 are always great, the Hawks are more balanced, with Al Horford $7200 possibly the best value.
The superstars are out in full force this evening. LeBron James $10700 has been over 50 FPTS in four of five games since returning from an injury. He praised Timofey Mozgov $5100 after the Cavs’ fourth straight win and they should easily make it five against Charlotte.
Meaningless games like Orlando at New York can be quite profitable. Nikola Vucevic $8700 is vastly superior to all the Knicks’ big men, Victor Oladipo $6900 will be the best SG on the floor and with Jose Calderon $4900 looking old and frequently disinterested, Elfrid Payton $5400 might explode at an affordable price. You can’t read the mind of Carmelo Anthony $8900 to know how seriously he will take a given game. Langston Galloway $4100 is a live longshot.
Another tilt that won’t affect the playoff race has Anthony Davis $11100 and the Pelicans visiting Minnesota. Thaddeus Young $6100 may be coming around, but he’s no match for the Brow.
The Bulls are hurting and seemed out of sorts until last night’s dominant win over the Spurs, where Derrick Rose $7300 and Pau Gasol $9300 led the way. At home off a laugher followed by a rest day, Dallas has multiple weapons. With Jimmy Butler $7900 on Monta Ellis $7000, I like Tyson Chandler $6200 and Chandler Parsons $5900 as value picks.
Toronto should beat the 76ers with relative ease. All-Star starter Kyle Lowry $9300 is a Philly native who hosted his teammates last night for a celebratory dinner. Jonas Valanciunas $5900 (calf) is questionable, so Amir Johnson $4600 and Patrick Patterson $3800 might get extra run. When the Raptors go small, Lou Williams $4500 is usually prominent.
On a last-second three by Evan Turner $5300, the Celtics beat what’s left of the Blazers last night. They will be tired in Denver against Ty Lawson $8800, Arron Afflalo $6100 and Wilson Chandler $5500. With Jusuf Nurkic $5000 (back) doubtful and Kenneth Faried $7500 not feeling well, J.J. Hickson $5200 is a sneaky play.
It’s the third game in for nights for the Heat, or I would love them against Indiana. Dwyane Wade $8300 and Chris Bosh $8300 should still be able to ensure a win, but this one may not be too exciting.
With Kobe out indefinitely, the Lakers have very little talent. You could try Jeremy Lin $5000 or Jordan Hill $5700 and hope that San Antonio rolls out its second string, or pass. Spin regulars know I have given up trying to predict a Gregg Popovich rotation, especially in back-to-backs.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10100 | Jeff Teague $8200 | Elfrid Payton $4400 |
| SG | James Harden $10800 | Klay Thompson $7900 | L. Galloway $4100 |
| SF | LeBron James $10700 | Chandler Parsons $5900 | P.J. Tucker $4200 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $11100 | Paul Millsap $8100 | Patrick Patterson $3800 |
| C | DeMarcus Cousins $11000 | Al Horford $7200 | Andrew Bogut $4600 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.