After a busy 14-game Friday in the NBA, fatigue might be a factor this evening. Multiple superstars were available last night with five-digit salaries but the pickings are relatively slim tonight — only two healthy players cost more than $8000.
My bad, underestimating the Suns on Thursday. That was a brilliant OT win over the Thunder, sparked by Eric Bledsoe $8200 and Markieff Morris $6600 with a combined 57 points. Healthy again, Alex Len $5400 continues to play well and newcomer Brandon Knight $6200 remains PG-eligible but is actually the SG alongside Bledsoe, with more threes and fewer assists than expected. P.J. Tucker $5600 is steady and affordable, while Marcus Morris $3800 has become the best reserve.
Phoenix (unlike most teams) has a day of rest; it’s the ninth game of the annual rodeo road trip for San Antonio, their sixth in nine days since the break. After four straight losses, the Spurs did manage a win against the depleted Kings last night, with Tony Parker $4800 and Kawhi Leonard $7000 leading the way. Expect an unexpected lineup this evening from Gregg Popovich.
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Dallas is the only other team that had last night off; they haven’t played since losing in Atlanta on Wednesday and have won four straight at home. Monta Ellis $7200 and Dirk Nowitzki $6300 are the main Mavs with Tyson Chandler $6500 (hip) not 100% and Chandler Parsons (ankle) out. The Rajon Rondo $6200 saga may be over, or just beginning. A variety of inexpensive guys have stepped up lately, though J.J. Barea $4600 loses value with Rondo back from a team-imposed suspension.
Brooklyn was surprisingly competitive in Houston before losing by four; Deron Williams $6400 started again and was one of six Nets in double figures. Rookie Markel Brown $3800 has played well enough in three starts to keep the job even when Bojan Bogdanovic (ankle) returns.
Embarrassed at the ACC by the Warriors last night, Toronto must regroup against the Knicks. A slumping Kyle Lowry $6800 played just 19 minutes, as Dwane Casey surrendered early. Jonas Valanciunas $4900 is a strong play. Last night Patrick Patterson $4100 started at PF with Amir Johnson $4200 coming off the bench. Not sure if that was a one-time matchup or a new lineup. Andrea Bargnani $3800 is (temporarily) healthy and starting; he double-doubled against the Pistons (25 PTS, 12 REB, 4 AST) and should be motivated against his former team.
Memphis has had a very tough schedule since the break; this is the finale of a five-game road trip in seven days. If their excellent defense takes a night off, the T-Wolves could surprise. Andrew Wiggins $6400 and Kevin Martin $6600 are the primary options for Ricky Rubio $7300.
The Bucks shot 39% and blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, losing to the lowly Lakers. Jason Kidd uses 10-man rotations and Michael Carter-Williams $7000 is still learning his system, so Khris Middleton $6400 and Giannis Antetokounkpo $7300 are the safest plays. The Jazz romped in Denver (as expected) and Gordon Hayward $7900 is consistent but their main advantage is in the paint, with Derrick Favors $7400 and Rudy Gobert $6500.
While the Hawks won easily at home, Miami lost a heartbreaker in New Orleans. It will not be high-scoring; Paul Millsap $7800 and Al Horford $7400 are still worth a long look. For the Heat, Luol Deng $5900 has scored more since Chris Bosh was sidelined and Goran Dragic $6400 is getting comfortable. Recent 10-day signee Henry Walker $3500 has been sharp off the bench.
Just when you think the Wizards have hit bottom, they lose to the 76ers. That’s six in a row and 11 of 13. Detroit also lost — in double overtime — though Greg Monroe $7900 and Andre Drummond $7800 were outstanding, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope $4400 is on a roll. Reggie Jackson $6100 may have his hands full with John Wall $8600, but the Pistons are currently the better team.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | John Wall $8600 | Ricky Rubio $7300 | Trey Burke $4500 |
| SG | Eric Bledsoe $8200 | Kevin Martin $6600 | K. Caldwell-Pope $4400 |
| SF | Gordon Hayward $7900 | Andrew Wiggins $6400 | Terrence Ross $3000 |
| PF | Derrick Favors $7400 | Markieff Morris $6600 | Andrea Bargnani $3800 |
| C | Andre Drummond $7800 | Rudy Gobert $6500 | J. Valanciunas $4900 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.