An eight-game slate features two late starts where we expect a lot of points. The schedule-maker has not been kind to the Warriors, who finished 3-3 on a recent six-game Eastern swing in eight days. Now they must play a third game in four nights, on the road against a team fighting for its playoff life despite a recent slide from eighth to tenth place. The Suns just finished their own four-game, .500 trip East and must try to regroup on this home stand.
Stephen Curry $9500 was quiet in yesterday’s hard-fought victory, but Draymond Green $7200 and Klay Thompson $7000 picked him up. Shaun Livingston $3600 has recently become a major contributor off the bench. Eric Bledsoe $7900 is the man man for Phoenix, who also need Markieff Morris $6100 at his best to pull off the upset.
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With Anthony Davis $10700 back, New Orleans is very much in the playoff picture. It won’t be easy to catch OKC, but they are not going to quit trying. The Bucks are auditioning Michael Carter-Williams $6500 at PG; so far he hasn’t clicked with his new teammates. I prefer Tyreke Evans $7300 in that salary range.
Last Monday, the Clippers were road-weary and barely beat Minnesota. This rematch comes a day after a very tough loss. Once again, the Timberwolves may surprise by making a game of it, though we’ll stop short of predicting the upset. Be wary of overpaying for Chris Paul $10600, whose knee is not 100%, or DeAndre Jordan $8800, who may be exhausted. Ricky Rubio $8300, Andrew Wiggins $6800 and Kevin Martin $6000 might be better value.
Knicks at Nuggets is utterly meaningless in real life. In daily fantasy, it’s a chance to load up on moderately-priced Denver players who are free from a coach they hated. Ty Lawson $7000, Danilo Gallinari $6000, Kenneth Faried $6500 and Randy Foye $3800 are highly recommended. For New York, the inconsistent Andrea Bargnani $5600 and improving Alexey Shved $3400 are playable in what figures to be a free-wheeling affair.
We didn’t like the Celtics in Orlando on Sunday and like them even less in Miami tonight. The Heat managed an overtime win on Saturday without Goran Dragic $6500 (back), Luol Deng (thigh) $5800 and Hassan Whiteside $8700 (ankle) thanks to Dwyane Wade $7200 (28 PTS) and huge contributions from unlikely sources. Tyler Johnson $3500 (24 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST) and Michael Beasley $3700 (18 PTS, 7 REB) started the second half and led the comeback. Check for updates and consider both those bargains if the injured guys miss another game.
You could use DeMarcus Cousins $9700 and Rudy Gay $7700 in hopes of a shootout, but I think the Hawks are way too efficient (28-4 at home) and the prices are better on a rested Paul Millsap $8000, Al Horford $7600 and Jeff Teague $6600.
The Wizards, just 2-8 over their last ten, are in Charlotte against a team that has won five straight and is now in seventh place. Al Jefferson $7700 and Mo Williams $7500 are the go-to Hornets, though I’m not expecting a shootout and prefer other games.
Memphis at Chicago is a matchup of two defense-first organizations, with excellent big men. Pau Gasol $8800 and Marc Gasol $7400 will be inspired against each other; Joakim Noah $6900 will attempt to slow down Marc, while Zach Randolph $7100 tries to trade buckets with Pau. Mike Conley $5900 may be the difference-maker in a playoff-style battle.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Ricky Rubio $8300 | Ty Lawson $7000 | Shaun Livingston $3600 |
| SG | Dwyane Wade $7200 | Khris Middleton $6000 | Randy Foye $3800 |
| SF | Rudy Gay $7700 | Danilo Gallinari $6000 | Michael Beasley $3700 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $10700 | Kenneth Faried $6500 | Andrea Bargnani $5600 |
| C | DeMarcus Cousins $9700 | Al Horford $7600 | Omer Asik $4500 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.