It’s not exactly a Super Sunday in the NBA, with two early matinees involving franchises that have all seen better days. DraftKings offers DFS action at 1:00 to get you warmed up for the football game.
Lineup construction today is complicated by mediocre choices at PG and SG. There’s room for only two C in the DK format, but three of the five top-salaried healthy players are locked into that position. PF drops off abruptly after Jared Sullinger $7100, and except for Carmelo Anthony $9400 the SF pickings are very thin.
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Miami is at Boston without Dwyane Wade (hamstring) and Luol Deng (calf). The Heat have discovered and unleashed Hassan Whiteside $8100, who combines with Chris Bosh $8300 for a quick, agile frontcourt. Mario Chalmers $5800 is playing big minutes. We have to mention that they scored just 72 points on Friday and have been held to 90 or less in 12 of their last 13.
Sully and Marcus Smart $3900 are the future for the Celtics, overachievers since trading away several veterans. They split a six-game road trip against teams from the West, then slowed down James Harden in a narrow loss to the Rockets. Tayshaun Prince $3900 is being showcased for one more trade, Avery Bradley $4200 is reasonably priced, Brandon Bass $5500 is now the starting PF and Marcus Thornton $3600 can get hot off the bench.
My Ouija board predicts better coaching and slightly more defense in the opener, while the 2:00 start should be higher-scoring.
The Lakers are making the best of a bad situation. Jordan Hill $6600 was fantastic (26 PTS, 12 REB, 2 BLK) in a huge double-OT upset of the Bulls. Wayne Ellington 5700 has averaged 25.5 points in his last two and rookie Jordan Clarkson $5000 is running away with the starting PG job. Robert Sacre $3900 fills the middle; he scored 30.3 FPTS (9 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST and 2 BLK) against Chicago before fouling out. The second unit features former Garden hero Jeremy Lin $4300, Carlos Boozer $5300 and Ed Davis $4600 until Nick Young (ankle) returns.
Carmelo was healthy enough to play on consecutive nights this week and has had two recovery days. The key to every lineup, he makes Jose Calderon $4800 much better. With Cole Aldrich $5400 (leg) questionable and Amar’e Stoudemire (ankle) out, Jason Smith $4900 and Louis Amundson $3800 will continue to start up front and might be the best values on the Knicks. Although Langston Galloway $5500 cooled off against the Pacers, he’s locked in at SG.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Mario Chalmers $5800 | Jordan Clarkson $5000 | Marcus Smart $3900 |
| SG | Wayne Ellington $5700 | Avery Bradley $4200 | Marcus Thornton $3600 |
| SF | Carmelo Anthony $9400 | Tayshaun Prince $3900 | Jae Crowder $3600 |
| PF | Jared Sullinger $7100 | Brandon Bass $5500 | Louis Amundson $3800 |
| C | Hassan Whiteside $8100 | Jordan Hill $6600 | Robert Sacre $3900 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.