Saturday night involves several tired NBA teams and only one of the five games figures to be high-scoring. An ever-growing injury list and players being rested more often increases uncertainty in DFS, which means opportunity.
James Harden $11200, due for a huge night, had 50 vs. Denver on Thursday. When he takes 27 shots and gets to the line 25 times, there aren’t many touches for teammates; only Trevor Ariza $6300 was worth owning. Terrence Jones (lung) is out, so Donatas Motiejunas $5600 and/or Josh Smith $5700 might also contribute if Harden isn’t quite so ball-dominant. Phoenix also won on Thursday, 74-72 over the badly-wounded Pelicans. Eric Bledsoe $8100 shot 2-for-15, the Morris twins were a combined 6-for-26 and emergency center Brandan Wright $5000 had the only good fantasy line — 16 PTS, 8 REB, 7 BLK in 38 minutes. Now three games back of the OKC Westbrooks with 13 to play, the Suns’ playoff hopes are mathematically alive, with a fading pulse.
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Since the trade of Enes Kanter that made Rudy Gobert $8100 a starter, the Jazz are 12-3, allowing 100 points only once. In March, they are 8-2, holding opponents to 82.3 points. The Warriors played last night, and Klay Thompson (ankle) is out, so a shootout seems unlikely. Stephen Curry $9600 was ice-cold (4-17) in just 27 minutes but is clearly the best PG on the board if he finds the range. Harrison Barnes $4300 had a team-high 22 and the Golden State bench scored 56 against a crippled New Orleans squad. Such depth does not produce monster fantasy lines.
Based on the standings, Portland at Memphis is a great matchup. However, it’s the third road game in four nights for the Blazers, who just went 0-for-Florida, fading late in Orlando despite a 31-point effort from LaMarcus Aldridge $8900. The Grizzlies won at home last night after a couple of rest days, making them relatively fresh by comparison. Zach Randolph $7300 and Marc Gasol $7500 are very playable, Mike Conley $5800 is back after missing four games with an ankle injury and Tony Allen $4500 has replaced Jeff Green $5600 in the starting lineup.
Off an easy win at home last night, the Bulls travel to Detroit. Joakim Noah $6100 dished out 14 assists, Nikola Mirotic $7200 scored 29 and Mike Dunleavy $4000 added 21. The Pistons have one win in their last 12 games, are missing Greg Monroe (knee) and are fresh off a drubbing in Philadelphia. Reggie Jackson $6900 followed up a 23-point, 20-assist gem with an inefficient triple-double (11 REB, 10 AST, 5 TO and 11 PTS on 4-17 shooting) but I’m not a believer. It’s a mismatch, though Chicago will do no more than necessary to get the W and cement their hold on third place in the East.
We talked about fatigue off the top. Brooklyn just won a triple-overtime thriller at home, and their reward is a trip to Indianapolis tonight. Thaddeus Young $6000 logged 53 minutes, Joe Johnson $5200 played 48 and Brook Lopez $6400 had 32 points, 18 boards five blocks in his 42 minutes. With two starters ineffective, Jarrett Jack $4600 and Bojan Bogdanovic $3400 played 41 and 49 respectively — off the bench. It’s not as if the Pacers are rested and in a groove; they have lost four in a row, despite a great effort last night in Cleveland. David West $5300 (illness) left after 12 minutes and is highly questionable, so veteran Luis Scola $4400 may start. George Hill $6600 is the safest play; Roy Hibbert $4500 needs to play another big game.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $9600 | George Hill $6600 | Jarrett Jack $4600 |
| SG | James Harden $11200 | Eric Bledsoe $8100 | B. Bogdanovic $3400 |
| SF | Gordon Hayward $7700 | Trevor Ariza $6300 | Mike Dunleavy $4000 |
| PF | LaMarcus Aldridge $8900 | Nikola Mirotic $7200 | Luis Scola $4400 |
| C | Marc Gasol $7500 | Joakim Noah $6100 | Roy Hibbert $4500 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.