Anyone who picked the Lakers to beat Chicago on Thursday should be rolling in cash this morning. Not exactly all-stars, Jordan Hill, Wayne Ellington and Jordan Clarkson are becoming DFS bargains. Each played more than 40 minutes in a double-overtime upset and padded their stats in the extra frames.
We gave you Ellington and Clarkson yesterday, and the other three games had predictable results, as reflected in my improved DraftKings balance. Let’s try to sustain some momentum on a nine-game Friday where injuries may take center stage.
Three of the five top-dollar stars are uncertain to play. Anthony Davis $11000 (adductor), DeMarcus Cousins $10700 (ankle) and LeBron James $10700 (wrist) might not be 100% if they do suit up. Others ruled out already include Dwyane Wade (hamstring), Jrue Holiday (leg), Dwight Howard (knee), Luol Deng (calf) and Deron Williams (rib), while Jimmy Butler $7500 (knee) limped off the floor late in last night’s game and is among the doubtful.
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By popular demand, the Spin is now examining the relative strength of each position, instead of breaking down each game for possible DFS opportunities.
Kyrie Irving $9000 leaps from one of several great PG to the very top if LBJ does not return. Stephen Curry $10100 and Chris Paul $9400 tend to play better in meaningful games; tonight their matchups are “too easy” and there’s a risk of garbage time. Damian Lillard $8800 vs. Jeff Teague $7600 will be exciting to watch and both are capable of big numbers. Mario Chalmers $4800 might be the best bang for the buck as the Heat are missing two key starters.
At SG, it’s hard to go wrong with James Harden $11000, who was slowed down a little by Dallas and should regain top form against the Celtics. The Beard is not the only option — Klay Thompson $8500 has never been better and Monta Ellis $7200 is the most consistent Maverick. You can even go cheap with Kevin Martin $4600, who showed no rust on Wednesday after missing two months.
We need to save money somewhere and a few SF are not in peak form, including Gordon Hayward $7800 (illness) and LeBron. Josh Smith $5300 will play more until Howard returns, and Rudy Gay $7700 will pick up part of the slack if DMC sits out. Bargain hunting? Danny Granger $3400 started, got 36 minutes and scored 14 points on Tuesday.
PF is loaded, but I’m looking for value there too. Both Jared Sullinger $6600 and Donatas Motiejunas $5300 are playable in a potentially high-scoring game. LaMarcus Aldridge $9500 vs. Paul Millsap $8200 is a dandy real-life matchup that could also be profitable in fantasy. Nerlens Noel $5000 had two bad games — against the Unibrow and Z-Bo — then bounced back against Detroit and might get a few dunks tonight. Brandan Wright $3000 will never be a better price.
At C, the versatile Al Horford $7600 should be productive against Portland’s immobile bigs. Hassan Whiteside $6400 continues to surprise; he and Chris Bosh $7700 play the same position at DK and are critical to Miami’s chances. It’s possible to use both. Alexis Ajinca $3000 is dirt cheap and could surprise if AD does not play.
Names in bold indicate my strongest choices in today’s Short List. Using all six leaves just $8400 to fill the F and Util spots; the Heat duo in the sample lineup (above) is just one of several ways to go. Motiejunas and Ajinca might also work, and if you like the Suns against the tired Bulls, Wright and Isaiah Thomas $5400 is another affordable combo with upside.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Kyrie Irving $9000 | Goran Dragic $6400 | Mario Chalmers $4800 |
| SG | James Harden $11000 | Klay Thompson $8500 | Kevin Martin $4600 |
| SF | Rudy Gay $7700 | Josh Smith $5300 | Danny Granger $3400 |
| PF | L. Aldridge $9500 | Jared Sullinger $6600 | Brandan Wright $3000 |
| C | Al Horford $7600 | Hassan Whiteside $6400 | Alexis Ajinca $3400 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.