Stuff happened on Monday. Kevin Durant (toe) was a late scratch, so Russell Westbrook triple-doubled. Anthony Davis, the Pelican with the giant wing span, ended the Hawks’ winning streak at 19. We called the Hornets to beat Washington but can’t believe the Clippers lost in Brooklyn. The Raptors, living by the jumper for six wins, shot 32.1% in an ugly defeat by the shorthanded Bucks.
All that is ancient history, happening last ‘season’ in the ever-changing universe of daily fantasy sports. Tonight there are five NBA games to consider, with a strong focus on one.
Plays of the Day
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DeMarcus Cousins $10500 is the #1 lineup decision. Stephen Curry $10300 is the next-highest salary on the board. They happen to be in the same game, which is almost certain to produce the highest score of the night. The over/under is 217, and not one of the other four is over 195. The Kings beat Indiana on Saturday to snap an eight-game losing streak, with Rudy Gay $7600 and Darren Collison $6400 also contributing. The Warriors bounced back from an unexpected two-game slide to handle Phoenix.
The last time these teams met, Golden State won by 25 and Klay Thompson $8500 scored 37 points — in one quarter! Gay got ejected in that one, but a month earlier it was GSW by 20, again led by Klay, with Festus Ezeli $3000 on DMC, not Andrew Bogut $4800. The “problem” in DFS is the very depth that makes them such a good team, as guys like Harrison Barnes $4300 or Andre Iguodala are capable of stepping up when least expected.
If we don’t use Cousins, the amazing Hassan Whiteside $7700 and Andre Drummond $7800 square up in Detroit; either of them could have a big night. My bargain C is Jusuf Nurkic $4400 against the 76ers, who are playing their fourth game in five nights.
If we pass on Curry, the top PG are Damian Lillard $8600 and Ty Lawson $8000. Dame is in a shooting slump, just 2-19 from deep in his last two, but the Blazers are back home and well-rested. The Nuggets mailed in a Thursday loss in Memphis, scoring just 69 points, then were soundly routed at home by the Hornets on Saturday, trailing 62-30 by halftime. Brian Shaw may have lost his team for good this time. My hunch for a cheap PG is Marcus Smart $3700 vs. the Knickerbockers.
At SF, it’s all about Carmelo Anthony $8800, who has played in three straight and scored 30+ in two of them. Will he play in a meaningless game against Boston? Gay and Gordon Hayward $8100 are solid alternatives. Keep an eye on Jerami Grant $3000, gaining value for Philly with every game, though fatigue could be a factor for all the Sixers.
Klay is pretty much a must-start in an otherwise weak group of SG. Wesley Matthews $5800 looks next-best and if Melo takes the night off, Tim Hardaway Jr. $4600 becomes a bargain. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope $4000 just put up a monster line (28 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 3 BLK) in an upset of the Rockets; his salary rose just $200.
LaMarcus Aldridge $9400 has been heroic since deciding to play through his torn thumb ligament. Even one-handed, he towers above a mediocre group of PF. Cheaper options include Brandon Bass $5200 and Louis Amundson $3700.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10100 | Darren Collison $6400 | Marcus Smart $3700 |
| SG | Klay Thompson $8500 | Wesley Matthews $5800 | K. Caldwell-Pope $4000 |
| SF | Carmelo Anthony $8800 | Rudy Gay $7600 | Jerami Grant $3000 |
| PF | LaMarcus Aldridge $9400 | Brandon Bass $5200 | Louis Amundson $3700 |
| C | DeMarcus Cousins $10500 | Hassan Whiteside $7700 | Jusuf Nurkic $4400 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.