Here’s hoping that Friday the 13th is good luck at DraftKings. Nine NBA games begin at 7:00 EDT but there are Turbo contests (covering three games) at 8:00, Late events (also spanning three games) at 9:00 and even Later action on the final two at 10:00. That’s multiple opportunities to win.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr plans to rest “some” players tonight. Because we don’t yet know who, that’s a tough one to handicap. If Stephen Curry $9600 or Klay Thompson $7100 sits, Shaun Livingston $4100 becomes a much better DFS play. Andrew Bogut $4500 is another candidate, and Marreese Speights $3000 would benefit. For the Nuggets, Danilo Gallinari $5700 and Kenneth Faried $6700 are playable and while he may need a game to get his legs back, Jusuf Nurkic $4500 should be picked up in traditional leagues if you need rebounds and blocks.
Plays of the Day
Still not playing at DK? They match your first deposit 100% ($5 to $600) with bonus funds that convert to cash, plus you get a FREE entry in the $100K Sharpshooter — the top score earns $10,000 and 7,850 of 38,315 teams win cash. Win even more in the $100K Crossover, with a $27 buy-in also FREE to new depositors. That contest has 840 cash prizes ($15,000 for first) and a maximum 4,225 teams.
The Fantasy Basketball World Championship offers a million dollar first prize, to be awarded March 23. There are only 40 seats in the Final; finish first in a Qualifier to win a spot, including a 5-day VIP trip to Las Vegas (worth $55,000) plus a minimum of $7,000 in cash!
The other late games seem more logical. Atlanta is aroad favorite in Phoenix despite taking two opponents lightly in the last week. Look for Al Horford $7100 and Paul Millsap $7500 to get the Hawks back on track and everyone to be more focused.
Damian Lillard $8100 is a great play against Reggie Jackson $6700, and the Pistons have very little chance in Portland. Nicolas Batum $6700 has rediscovered his offensive game since Wesley Matthews (Achilles) was lost for the year and the courageous LaMarcus Aldridge $9000 is better with two sore thumbs than most of his peers when healthy.
I can’t figure out the Mavericks. Maybe it’s the friction between Rajon Rondo $6100 and coach Rick Carlisle, or maybe the undefeated Father Time has finally caught up to Dirk Nowitzki $5700. They have lost five of seven and Monta Ellis $7000 is the safest play tonight, as Tyson Chandler $5900 will have his hands full with DeAndre Jordan $8900. Be careful about using Chris Paul $10300, who had a sore knee recently and tweaked an ankle in that brilliant 33-point effort to beat the Thunder.
Speaking of OKC, Russell Westbrook $12500 did not triple-double in that loss, got off only 14 shots and turned it over ten times. His “disappointing” line — 24 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST — would be a career night for many, and he will improve on it tonight. Injuries are slowing down the T-Wolves (again) and waiver claim Justin Hamilton $3400 might be in the rotation, especially on the road, where Kevin Garnett $3500 may not play.
The one early game with big DFS potential is meaningless in real life. DeMarcus Cousins $9500 could post monster numbers against the 76ers, Rudy Gay $7600 will also be unstoppable and the hot hand belongs to Ben McLemore $4200, who has played 40+ minutes and scored at least 20 in two of the Kings’ last three; only the Hawks slowed him down. Nerlens Noel $6800 has figured out the NBA; the rookie’s combination of boards, blocks and steals more than makes up for a lack of scoring.
What’s wrong with the Raptors? We don’t have enough space to fuly explain. After nine losses in ten games, Kyle Lowry $7100 is angry enough to spark a turnaround and will make Goran Dragic $6200 work. DeMar DeRozan $7200 has shaken off a shooting slump (over 50% in his last five) and if he gets the minutes, Jonas Valanciunas $5100 can be productive. For the Heat to win, Dwyane Wade $7200 must lead the way and Hassan Whiteside $8500 needs to make amends to his teammates for a very foolish ejection and resulting suspension.
Boston would have a better chance with Isaiah Thomas (back) but thanks to great coaching and determination, they have won four of five. Both innovative and inspirational, Brad Stevens is getting the most out of all his players. Nikola Vucevic $8000 and Victor Oladipo $8100 are still more talented, but this is the third game in four nights for the Magic.
No Al Jefferson (calf) means Bismack Biyombo $3100 will start for the Hornets, who are desperate to avoid a third straight loss. Pau Gasol $8900 and Nikola Mirotic $6800 are the safest plays in what might be an ugly game; Aaron Brooks $5400 just got a big salary hike after his 31-point outing and I’m not expecting him to repeat it.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | R. Westbrook $12500 | Damian Lillard $8100 | S. Livingston $4100 |
| SG | Eric Bledsoe $8100 | Dwyane Wade $7200 | Ben McLemore $4200 |
| SF | Rudy Gay $7600 | Nicolas Batum $6700 | T.J. Warren $3300 |
| PF | Pau Gasol $8900 | Nikola Mirotic $6800 | Amir Johnson $4000 |
| C | D. Cousins $9500 | Al Horford $7100 | B. Biyombo $3100 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.