One day after getting almost everything right, my Wednesday picks were as off-target as a DeAndre Jordan free throw. Just kidding, big guy. Jordan and Chris Paul slowed down the Russell Westbrook MVP Express and beat the Thunder on a night of NBA surprises. Congratulations if you used Aaron Brooks (31 PTS), Danilo Gallinari (23), Ben McLemore (27) or any of the other unlikely heroes at low, low prices.
Tonight is relatively busy for a Thursday, with five games. The TV doubleheader starts early, with Memphis at Washington in what figures to be a low-scoring battle. The 9:30 start will be far more entertaining and for once, the “best” game could be the most profitable.
Plays of the Day
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San Antonio has won six in a row, thanks to a long-overdue resurgence from Tony Parker $5900 and typically great all-around play from Kawhi Leonard $8100. Tonight, Kawhi will focus on slowing down LeBron James $10600, which he did successfully in last year’s Finals. Tim Duncan $6500 (elbow) is not 100% and Kevin Love $7600 seems poised for a big night. Kyrie Irving $7600 is also very important to the Cavaliers’ chances, and Timofey Mozgov $5100 is affordable. I’m not as keen on J.R. Smith $5600 against long-armed Danny Green $5000. If you can guess right on one or two of the cheaper Spurs, that will help. Manu Ginobili $4000, who sat out with a stomach illness on Tuesday, should be prominent.
The Rockets lost a very tough game in Portland last night. James Harden $10800 was held to just 18 points, as Corey Brewer $4100 scored a team-high 23 off the bench. Terrence Jones $6900 also played well, but I’m fascinated by the Jazz. They have won three in a row and eight of ten, with the twin towers — Derrick Favors $7800 and Rudy Gobert $7800 — leading the way at both ends of the court. Gordon Hayward $7500 (back) is questionable; Rodney Hood $3300 and Joe Ingles $3500 are cheap alternatives if he can’t suit up. Just don’t expect a high score, as neither team has topped 95 in Utah’s last six games.
The same caveat applies as Indiana hosts Milwaukee. The Pacers have rather quietly won nine of ten, with no opponent scoring more than 86 points — including Cleveland — during a six-game win streak. George Hill $6500, Rodney Stuckey $6300 and David West $5600 are the safest plays, as Roy Hibbert $4400 (elbow) is not 100%; Luis Scola $4200 might get extra run if the big man can’t go. The Bucks won at home last night, with red-hot Khris Middleton $6300 scoring 30 for the second straight game, but this is a tougher matchup.
24 hours after a shocking loss in Boston, the Grizzlies must try to regroup. Marc Gasol $7500 was very quiet, and Marcin Gortat $6600 has been much better over his last few starts. That battle and John Wall $8300 vs. Mike Conley $6100 might decide this one; with the Wizards fully rested and at home, it looks like a tossup and again, points will be hard to come by.
The over-under on the nightcap seems low to me. The Knicks and Lakers certainly have trouble scoring against better teams, but may find each other somewhat easier to solve. Alexey Shved $5000 and Andrea Bargnani $5800 are playable for the visitors, and Cole Aldrich $3600 double-doubled off the bench on Tuesday. For L.A., Jordan Clarkson $5400 is in a groove, and Tarik Black $3300 has recently become a starter. Both Jeremy Lin $5000 (thigh) and Wesley Johnson $4500 (calf) missed yesterday’s practice but are expected to play. Wayne Ellington $5000, Jordan Hill $5400 and Carlos Boozer $4600 are other possibilities in a deep — if not overly talented — rotation.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Kyrie Irving $7600 | Tony Parker $5900 | Alexey Shved $5000 |
| SG | James Harden $10800 | Rodney Stuckey $6300 | Corey Brewer $4100 |
| SF | LeBron James $10800 | Kawhi Leonard $8100 | Tony Allen $4200 |
| PF | Derrick Favors $7800 | Kevin Love $7600 | Luis Scola $4200 |
| C | Rudy Gobert $7800 | Timofey Mozgov $5100 | Cole Aldrich $3600 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.