Yet another star player may be done for the season. Derrick Rose needs surgery for a torn meniscus. Considering his history with that right knee, we don’t expect him back even if the Bulls advance in the playoffs. It’s a devastating blow for the former MVP, his team and their fans. Aaron Brooks $3400 is a good play tonight and should be owned in all traditional formats; Kirk Hinrich $3000, who has missed two games with an illness, will also be important the rest of the way.
Mo Williams $5600 is sharp, but the rest of the Bulls are too good for the Hornets. Pau Gasol $9800 and Jimmy Butler $7700 are the solid plays; rookie Nikola Mirotic $4000 was great on Monday (16 PTS, 14 REB, 2 BLK) and can repeat that performance if Taj Gibson (illness) can’t go.
12 NBA games get under way at 7:00 Eastern and much of our attention is on the Clippers in Houston. James Harden $11000 and Chris Paul $10200 were the core of my successful lineups on Monday and there’s no reason not to use them again. When these teams met in L.A. two weeks ago, DeAndre Jordan (24 PTS, 20 REB) was the difference; since then Terrence Jones $5700 has regained his best form and will be tasked with slowing down the big fella.
Plays of the Day
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Although Phoenix at Denver isn’t much of a game in real life, the potential for a high score and relatively inexpensive salaries are just what we want in DFS. Eric Bledsoe $7900, Markieff Morris $6400, Brandon Knight $6200 and Alex Len $4900 are all playable. P.J. Tucker $5400 is also worth a look. For the Nuggets, Ty Lawson $8100, Danilo Gallinari $5000 and Jusuf Nurkic $5000 are affordable, but the team has been in a tailspin for a month.
Here’s a sample lineup that employs all five Suns starters, plus Harden and the “best available” F and Util players for the remaining $8200 or less. Using a variety of 2-man combinations in those spots is good strategy; multiple entries (where permitted) can result in multiple prizes and increase your odds of a big payoff.
Goran Dragic $6300 is reshaping the Heat and it’s up to Elfrid Payton $5600 to slow him down. Nikola Vucevic $8800 and Hassan Whiteside $7800 are two of my favorite centers, and Dwyane Wade $7000 vs. Victor Oladipo $7000 is interesting. Luol Deng $5700 was outstanding in his latest and Miami has more incentive as they battle for a playoff spot despite the loss of Chris Bosh.
Atlanta is at home (and well rested) against the tired Mavericks, who did pull out a victory late last night, after Rajon Rondo $6200 was banished to the bench for a shouting match with Rick Carlisle. This would be an easier call if Jeff Teague $6900 (illness) was 100%. Dennis Schroeder $3200 becomes a bargain if Teague is scratched. Al Horford $7600 could really shine if Tyson Chandler $6500 (hip) sits out; Paul Millsap $8000 gives the Hawks an advantage in the paint.
Credit the wounded Pelicans for a terrific effort on Monday to make up an 18-point deficit and win without Anthony Davis (shoulder), Jrue Holiday (leg) and Ryan Anderson (knee). The heroes were Norris Cole $3500, Luke Babbitt $3700 and Alexis Ajinca $4300, who combined for 49 points off the bench. For the Nets, Markel Brown played 45 minutes in the first start of his career. His line — 10 PTS, 11 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK — was worth 39.8 FPTS and certainly warrants a longer look. Deron Williams $6700 will start again and Brook Lopez $6600 is a double-double threat off the bench. The price is right on Thaddeus Young $5400 if (when) he moves into the starting five.
Michael Carter-Williams $7500 gets a revenge game in his first appearance for Milwaukee. He towers over Isaiah Canaan $3500, and other Bucks are worth considering, like the consistent Khris Middleton $6400 and Ersan Ilyasova $3900, who posted a surprise double-double in Chicago on Monday. It’s the third road game in four nights for the Sixers, who are in tank mode.
Until this stops working, I’m avoiding the Wizards every game and giving serious consideration to the improved Timberwolves. Andrew Wiggins $6500 and Nikola Pekovic $6000 are hot, Kevin Martin $6700 is another scoring threat and Ricky Rubio $7000 contributes in multiple categories.
Gotta like the Jazz at home against the Lakers, and I expect Rudy Gobert $5800 to dominate. Derrick Favors $7200 and Gordon Hayward $7700 are also attractively priced.
Our second sample lineup today (above right) is more stars-and-scrubs, surrounding CP3 and the Beard with six potential bargains. There are literally millions of possible 8-man combinations, and many paths to DFS success.
The Blazers and Spurs are a combined 0-5 since the break. The return of LaMarcus Aldridge $9000 (thumb) and the addition of Arron Afflalo $4000 make Portland the favorite; other games figure to produce more points.
After three days off to learn from George Karl, the Kings may give the Grizzlies an entertaining battle. Much depends on the pace of this one; Memphis will try to slow it down. DeMarcus Cousins $10300 vs. Marc Gasol $7300 could be win-win for DFS owners. Omri Casspi $3700 has become a factor off the bench.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Chris Paul $10200 | Isaiah Thomas $5800 | Aaron Brooks $3400 |
| SG | James Harden $11000 | Eric Bledsoe $7900 | Markel Brown $3800 |
| SF | Gordon Hayward $7700 | Andrew Wiggins $6500 | Omri Casspi $3700 |
| PF | Pau Gasol $9800 | Markieff Morris $6400 | Ersan Ilyasova $3900 |
| C | D. Cousins $10300 | Rudy Gobert $5800 | Alex Len $4900 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.