Congratulations if you pre-qualified for the $500,000 NBA Slam Dunk, with a top prize of $100,000 to be awarded tonight. You can still enter at DraftKings for a $100 buy-in until the maximum of 5,555 teams is reached. Second place earns $40,000, third is worth $20,000 and all 1,100 cash payouts are guaranteed.
There are many other lucrative fantasy contests to choose from, spanning 11 NBA games on a truly Big Wednesday. Snowed out on Monday, the Blazers limp into Cleveland with a one-handed LaMarcus Aldridge $9500 (thumb) and with Nicolas Batum $5300 (wrist) questionable. It’s a back-to-back for the Cavs, who needed 38 points from Kyrie Irving $8800 and 32 from LeBron James $10700 to subdue the Pistons.
Also snowed out from a game they probably would have won, the Kings are in Toronto and DeMarcus Cousins $10900 might be unstoppable. A well-rested Rudy Gay $7700 could also be inspired against his former team. He’s played just 12.5 minutes in a week, thanks to an ejection and the blizzard. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are the best Raptors; last night the bench outscored Indiana’s second unit 42-25 to earn a road victory.
Plays of the Day
Open a new DK account and get a FREE entry for the $75K Mini Slam Dunk — the top score earns $6,000 and 9,400 of 43,125 teams receive cash prizes. They will match your initial deposit 100% ($5 to $600) with bonus funds that convert to cash as you play. Also featured tonight is the $150K Medium Slam Dunk, with a $20,000 first prize. 1,725 of 8,522 teams will cash. That $20 buy-in is also offered FREE to new depositors who are willing to spend more to win more.
The Fantasy Basketball World Championship has a million dollar first prize, to be awarded March 23. There are only 40 seats in the Final; win in a Qualifier to earn a spot, plus a 5-day VIP trip to Las Vegas (worth $55,000) and at least $7,000 in cash.
Even if Kevin Durant $10700 (toe) sits out and Carmelo Anthony $8900 (knee) plays, I see no way for NYC to beat OKC. Russell Westbrook $10400 and Serge Ibaka $6900 are too good, at the Knicks’ weakest positions. In KD’s absence, Perry Jones $3100 got a rare start, but the scoring is spread among Reggie Jackson $4400 and Anthony Morrow $3400 off the bench. There’s more DFS opportunity if Melo doesn’t return; Tim Hardaway Jr. $4900 would be the #1 option, Lance Thomas $4000 might get extra run against his former team and with Jose Calderon $4700 (knee) questionable, Langston Galloway $4300 is the temporary PG.
The storm was a blessing for the Nets, who had lost their previous two by an average of 37 points. It gets no easier in Atlanta, where the best team in the East will extend their 16-game win streak. Jeff Teague $7700 is the maestro, with Paul Millsap $8100 and Al Horford $7500 highly efficient. Kyle Korver $4800 is an offensive specialist when needed, and DeMarre Carroll $5100 a lockdown defender. Beware garbage time, as Mike Budenholzer trusts his reserves.
The main question mark for the Rockets tonight concerns Dwight Howard $7700 (ankle), a game-time decision. At home and fully rested, James Harden $11100 will lead the attack. Dallas lost another a tough one last night and fatigue has to be a factor. Trevor Ariza $5600 and Donatas Motiejunas $5400 would benefit most in Howard’s absence, though Joey Dorsey $3300 is the nominal starting C.
Denver doesn’t bother much with defense, so Ty Lawson $8700 is a strong play; the Pelicans don’t have a true PG while Jrue Holiday (ankle) is hurt. Wilson Chandler $6000 and Arron Afflalo $6200 are other Nuggets to consider. For New Orleans, Tyreke Evans $8200 is the main ballhandler and the superb Anthony Davis $11000 does everything.
Beating the Lakers wasn’t easy for Washington, but after a slow start, John Wall $9200 and Bradley Beal $6200 took over in the second half. Wall has a tender Achilles, and Paul Pierce $4700 (toe) is day-to-day, with Otto Porter $3000 playing 30 minutes in his absence. Expect a fast pace, a high score and a close result. Goran Dragic $6500 and Eric Bledsoe $8600 are the starting guards, with Isaiah Thomas $5400 a potent sixth man. Alex Len $4600 has a key matchup vs. former Sun Marcin Gortat $5500.
I’d like Detroit more if they hadn’t played a tougher game last night. If they avoid a letdown, D. J. Augustin $5800, Greg Monroe $8500 and Andre Drummond $8200 are still interesting. Philly shot less than 35% and scored just 74 points in New Orleans on Monday when Michael Carter-Williams $8300 (illness) sat out; they will be far more competitive if he’s feeling better.
The new Timberwolves lineup is huge. Nikola Pekovic $4900 and Gorgui Dieng $6900 are both starting up front, with 6’8” Thaddeus Young $6400 far more comfortable at SF lately and 6’8” Andrew Wiggins $7000 towering above most SG. Look out when Ricky Rubio (ankle) returns, but for now Mo Williams $6000 (hip) is questionable and Zach LaVine $3000 is the only PG. Of all people, Tayshaun Prince $3600 and Tyler Zeller $3900 led Boston to a surprise win in Utah on Monday; Evan Turner $5500 (thumb) and Avery Bradley $4000 (thumb) are not 100%, so Marcus Smart $4200 could be important. Jared Sullinger $6600 and Brandon Bass $4900 are giving up a lot of height.
Charlotte at San Antonio is no contest. Kemba Walker (knee) is out for at least six weeks, so Brian Roberts $4200 is the only true PG and Gerald Henderson $4100 is handling the ball more often. Both Al Jefferson $6700 and Lance Stephenson $5000 have been coming off the bench since returning from injury, though Big Al is expected to start tonight. Be careful with the Spurs, who are so deep that almost anyone can lead the team in scoring, especially in a lopsided game. Tim Duncan $8000 and Kawhi Leonard $8000 are the most reliable.
Utah poses little difficulty for the Clippers. Chris Paul $9500 is way too good for either Dante Exum $4000 or Trey Burke $5000 to slow down, and Enes Kanter $6500 might have a long night against DeAndre Jordan $8200. At his best, Derrick Favors $7600 might be playable, but lately he’s not an automatic double-double. Gordon Hayward $8000 is the only Jazzman worth using. Blake Griffin $9800 is always dangerous and Jamal Crawford $5200 poured in 23 points on Monday.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | R. Westbrook $10400 | D.J. Augustin $5800 | Brian Roberts $4200 |
| SG | James Harden $11100 | DeMar DeRozan $6500 | Tim Hardaway Jr. $4900 |
| SF | LeBron James $10700 | Rudy Gay $7700 | Tayshaun Prince $3600 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $11000 | Paul Millsap $8100 | P. Patterson $4000 |
| C | DeMarcus Cousins $10900 | Al Jefferson $6700 | Alex Len $4600 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.