All 13 NBA games are in play at DraftKings tonight in contests that close at 7:00 ET, plus there are six-game Turbo events at 8:00 and two-game Late action at 10:30. Some matchups that mean a lot in the standings are not the greatest for daily fantasy speculation.
Memphis at Houston comes to mind; both teams lost last night. James Harden $10500 will return from his one-game suspension as presumably the freshest man on the floor, but the Grizzlies have held him to an average of less than 20 points in six previous meetings over the last two seasons.
The Blazers visit the Clippers. Only a half-game apart in the standings, they are battling for home-court advantage in a potential first-round playoff meeting. This does not lead to easy buckets. From a DFS perspective, Chris Paul $10200 and DeAndre Jordan $9000 are scoring a higher percentage of their team’s points, though LaMarcus Aldridge $9100 may have the best matchup.
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Nobody thinks of the Nets or Hornets as title contenders, but they are tied for eighth place in the East, taking this head-on meeting very seriously. Charlotte barely held off the Lakers last night, while Brooklyn had a day of rest since Monday’s upset of the Warriors. Again, we don’t necessarily want to focus on players from the closest, most intense games when there are so many others to choose from.
Lopsided affairs can also be disappointing. The Pacers are 13-point favorites, have won eight of ten and look very much alive in the playoff hunt. The Knicks lost by 38 at home last night. You can use George Hill $6000, David West $6000, Rodney Stuckey $5400 and Roy Hibbert $4800, just be aware that garbage time is a distinct possibility.
The Bucks lost in Denver last night, are 0-3 on this trip and have virtually no chance against the Warriors. Again, before you invest heavily in Stephen Curry $9600, Klay Thompson $7400 and Draymond Green $6800 be aware that garbage time is a very real possibility and Steve Kerr would love to get some rest for the big guns if his reserves can do the job.
Also one-sided is Philadelphia at Oklahoma City. Russell Westbrook $11500 (face) is expected to play, with a mask to protect his fracture. Will he need to triple-double? Probably not; Serge Ibaka $8000 and Enes Kanter $5900 can share the scoring load and the second unit can mop up.
That’s six games I’m not crazy about. Fear not; there’s plenty of opportunity elsewhere.
Cleveland visits Toronto on a roll — 19 wins in 23 games — and beat Boston last night by 31 without anyone playing more than 26 minutes. A win tonight will draw them even with the second-place Raptors, who have dropped five of six. DeMar DeRozan $7200 scored 35 against the Sixers but Kyle Lowry $6800 (rest) has missed two straight games after a lengthy slump. Stick with LeBron James $10400, Kyrie Irving $7600 and Kevin Love $7900, who could all produce if the home team makes them work.
Maybe the Celtics gave up (it was 61-36 at the half) to rest for tonight’s home game against Utah. Maybe the Jazz will be tired after that stellar upset in Memphis. Rudy Gobert $6700 (15 PTS, 24 REB) and Derrick Favors $7400 (21 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 3 BLK) were superb up front, while Gordon Hayward $7600 (21 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL) did the rest. You could also hope for vastly-improved efforts from Evan Turner $5500, Isaiah Thomas $6200, Avery Bradley $5600, Marcus Smart $4200 and Jae Crowder $4900 after last night’s dismal performance.
The inconsistent Suns need a win in Orlando to keep their fading playoff hopes alive; the Magic’s new coach is speculating about lineup changes. I do like Victor Oladipo $6600, Nikola Vucevic $8700 and Tobias Harris $6300 to at least maintain their value. The entire Phoenix starting lineup is affordable — Eric Bledsoe $8500, Markieff Morris $6200, P.J. Tucker $5700, Brandon Knight $5800 and Alex Len $5600.
Anthony Davis $10400 (shoulder) is upgraded to questionable for the Pelicans, who managed to win five of six without their superstar. Tyreke Evans $7700 and Eric Gordon $6000 have really stepped up in his absence, but Omer Asik $4800 may be wearing down. If the Brow does not return, Alexis Ajinca $4900 is worth a shot tonight, and the price is right on Norris Cole $3400, who had 19 off the bench in Monday’s loss. Three straight defeats have hurt the Pistons’ playoff dream. Reggie Jackson $6200 may be trying too hard; rookie Spencer Dinwiddie $3800 played more (and better) minutes off the bench on Saturday. Greg Monroe $7800 and Andre Drummond $7700 might both have big numbers if Davis sits out.
Miami hosts the Lakers, who lost a heartbreaker last night. Goran Dragic $6500 (shoulder) is not certain to play; Mario Chalmers $4500 is a recommended option if he rests. Hassan Whiteside $8300, Dwyane Wade $7100 and Luol Deng $6000 should take care of business either way, and Michael Beasley $3300, back from China in his third stint with the Heat, has been a model citizen so far.
Although the Kings got DeMarcus Cousins $9700 back last night and thrashed the Knicks, a back-to-back in San Antonio isn’t the ideal schedule. Rudy Gay $7600 and Ben McLemore $3500 were also sharp. New coach George Karl is giving Derrick Williams $3100, Omri Casspi $3400 and Nik Stauskas $3000 an opportunity to earn more minutes. The well-rested Spurs are not expensive; Kawhi Leonard $7400 and Tim Duncan $6800 are surrounded by possible bargains like Tony Parker $4600, Danny Green $4200, Aron Baynes $3200 and a deep, versatile bench.
We have been very critical of ex-Nuggets coach Brian Shaw, and mere hours after his firing, the team responded with just their third win (against 19 losses) since January 14. Ty Lawson $7200, Kenneth Faried $5100 and Danilo Gallinari $5300 are all about to heat up; the Manimal may be an undersized center until Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) returns. Interim coach Melvin Hunt went very small, with Randy Foye $3200 at SG, and gave his starters plenty of run. This is still a back-to-back on the road. Ricky Rubio $7800 just triple-doubled, Andrew Wiggins $6700 was one of the best 19-year-olds ever (until his 20th birthday last week) and Gorgui Dieng $5300 is a capable replacement for a questionable Nikola Pekovic (ankle). If Kevin Martin $6400 (illness) misses another game, Gary Neal $3800 is an excellent spot play. Kevin Garnett $3600 and Adreian Payne $3500 are in a timeshare at PF; the rookie is playable whenever KG rests.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | R. Westbrook $11500 | Ricky Rubio $7800 | Mario Chalmers $4500 |
| SG | James Harden $10500 | Dwyane Wade $7100 | Gary Neal $3800 |
| SF | LeBron James $10400 | Andrew Wiggins $6700 | Michael Beasley $3300 |
| PF | L. Aldridge $9100 | Derrick Favors $7400 | T. Thompson $4200 |
| C | H. Whiteside $8300 | Rudy Gobert $6700 | Robin Lopez $3800 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.