It’s not the greatest Saturday night in NBA history. There are six games, involving many tired teams, with some coaches resting their stars for the upcoming playoff grind and others — their seasons effectively over — experimenting with lineup combinations and evaluating players for the future.
Our job is to make sense of all that and win some money at DraftKings. There are contests closing at 7:00 EDT, 8:00 (three games) and 9:00 (two games) which I’m considering as three chances to key on a couple of guys from Utah.
Plays of the Day
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Despite a monster line from DeMarcus Cousins $9500 (39 PTS, 24 REB) and an 18-point lead, the Kings lost in Philadelphia last night. Now they play in Washington against a rested team that has shaken off a long, mysterious slump. DMC won’t be quite as dominant against Marcin Gortat $7100, and John Wall $8500 could have a huge night. Sacramento doesn’t play much D at the best of times and will probably go through the motions in this third road game in four nights, the finale of an eight-game trip.
That comeback win was the third straight impressive effort by the 76ers, who upset Atlanta and took the Bulls to overtime. While we have been singing the praises of Nerlens Noel $6800, fatigue could be an issue tonight. Of course, the visiting Nets have lost five straight and may have given up. At least they have had a couple of days off. Deron Williams $5800, Brook Lopez $6700 and former Sixer Thaddeus Young $5500 do have good matchups.
On Thursday, the Grizzlies rested three of their best players and lost by 20. A fourth Memphis star, Mike Conley $5900 (ankle) was injured and remains questionable, but Marc Gasol $7500, Zach Rancolph $7000 and Tony Allen $4200 will be back for sure. The visiting Bucks have lost seven of ten, the latest in overtime to the Pacers, though all five starters scored in double figures. Michael Carter-Williams $7000 will be very hard for Beno Udrih $3300 to check.
Also sending out their ‘B’ team, the Warriors lost in Denver last night. They are 28-2 at home, and the only reason not to use Stephen Curry $9600 and Klay Thompson $7100 is the possibility of early garbage time against the hapless Knicks. Just guessing here, but Draymond Green $7200 might get his rest tonight. A friendly rival has vaulted to the top of our 20-team Roto league by scooping Alexey Shved $5500 and Andrea Bargnani $6100 off waivers, but in real life if those are your best players, your team is horrible. After missing a couple of games with a sore back, Tim Hardaway Jr. $4000 had 22 off the bench in a win over the equally-awful Lakers on Thursday.
Regular readers know I’m on the Jazz bandwagon and they should have no trouble beating Detroit. However, Rudy Gobert $8300 (ankle) might not be 100% if he does play. That means Gordon Hayward $7600 and Derrick Favors $8100 are the best bets. Rodney Hood $3600 got 33 minutes as the starter on Thursday, scored 20 points and won’t be this cheap much longer. If Gobert sits, Favors would shift to center and Trevor Booker $3300 might surprise. It’s the fourth game in five nights for the Pistons, who have lost nine in a row. Use any of them at your own risk.
Despite trading away several players and with Isaiah Thomas (back) sidelined, those pesky Celtics have won five of six, with Evan Turner $5000 scoring 30 to beat the Magic last night. With home court and a day of rest, the Pacers are on an even better roll (seven wins in a row) and should win easily. Roy Hibbert $4200 (elbow) is considered probable, so don’t overpay for Luis Scola $4600 despite that great game we predicted here on Thursday. Rodney Stuckey $6700 and George Hill $6500 are the preferred targets.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $9600 | George Hill $6500 | Alexey Shved $5500 |
| SG | Klay Thompson $7100 | Rodney Stuckey $6700 | T. Hardaway Jr. $4000 |
| SF | Gordon Hayward $7600 | Rudy Gay $7600 | Rodney Hood $3600 |
| PF | Derrick Favors $8100 | Thaddeus Young $5500 | Trevor Booker $3300 |
| C | D. Cousins $9500 | Brook Lopez $6700 | Zaza Pachulia $4000 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.