There’s just one NBA game tonight, but our friends at DraftKings have created Turbo contests that include the three earliest starts on Friday. It’s the first two-day event of the season; those become common — and are great fun — during the later rounds of the playoffs.
Entries close at 8:00 Eastern this evening, then you can make unlimited lineup adjustments (on players from three of the four games) until 7:00 p.m. tomorrow.
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 $20K Sharpshooter — the top score earns $2,000 and 1,540 of 7,666 teams win cash. Or you can enter Friday’s $100K Crossover today, with its $27 buy-in also FREE to new depositors. That contest has 840 cash prizes ($15,000 for first) and a maximum 4,225 teams.
I’m no college hoops expert, but there’s also a 4-game contest closing at 7:15 (and filling up fast) as the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 begins. The CBB $20K Buzzer Beater costs $3 to enter (again, free if you make an initial deposit) and there will be 1,540 cash prizes among 7,666 teams, with first place worth $2,000.
Tonight it’s the Pacers visiting Milwaukee, with the over/under a mere 186.5 because neither team generates many points. Just 3-7 in their last ten, the Bucks are at home off a day of rest; it’s a back-to-back on the road for Indiana. George Hill $7000 was terrific (29 PTS, 9 AST, 7 REB) as the Pacers snapped a six-game losing streak (and revived their playoff hopes) by edging the Wizards. Michael Carter-Williams $6500 was ineffective and fouled out last game, but Jerryd Bayless $3400 saved the day in a comeback win over Miami. Ersan Ilyasova $6300 and Zaza Pachulia $5400 also played well, with Giannis Antetokounmpo $7100 notching a double-double (16 & 10) despite six TO.
My gut feeling is to ignore this game entirely, though the Greek Freak is tempting because SF is extremely weak, talent-wise. Tobias Harris $6800 (ankle) did return last night after a 3-game absence and managed 36 unspectacular minutes, or you could try Michael Kidd-Gilchrist $5800, whose rebounding and blocks are more consistent than his shot. Punting the position? Jerami Grant $3200 started last night as the Sixers upset Denver, and blocked five shots.
Of the three Friday tilts, Detroit at Orlando is the most predictable and likely the highest-scoring. Reggie Jackson $8000 has caught fire for the Pistons, and with Greg Monroe (knee) sidelined, Andre Drummond has been dominant around both baskets. Elfrid Payton $7800 is vastly improved in March and Nikola Vucevic $7800 is not an easy cover for Drummond. Both SG are hot; Kentavious Caldwell-Pope $5200 is providing slightly better value than Victor Oladipo $7900 relative to their salaries, but the Magic sophomore is the better defender.
Chris Paul $9900 is by far the best PG in action, Blake Griffin $8900 the top PF and DeAndre Jordan $8300 could go 20-20 without breaking a sweat against the Sixers — that is, if they play. Doc Rivers has indicated that he plans to give them all some rest down the stretch, even CP3, whose avowed goal was to play in all 82 games. There is no better time; Philly lost 127-91 the last time these teams met (Jan. 3 in L.A.) with the Clippers’ bench scoring 57 points.
Last night, the Big Three all suited up, played 28 minutes and L.A. led 63-33 by the half. Whether they go with a similar approach tomorrow or rest people entirely remains to be seen. Especially if Griffin gets the night off, Nerlens Noel $7800 will continue his late-season bid for Rookie of the Year. Last night’s line — 14 PTS, 15 REB, 4 BLK, 4 STL — was no surprise. We assume Ish Smith $5900 would have a lot better numbers facing Austin Rivers $3200 than against Paul. Robert Covington $4500 is playing very well recently; it hardly matters whether he starts as he drained six triples in 29 minutes off the bench against the lethargic Nuggets.
Charlotte visits Washington and while both are possible playoff teams in the East, neither is playing good basketball or running up scores. Al Jefferson $6700 has knee issues, though he double-doubled (23 & 10) in Wednesday’s loss, and Marcin Gortat $5700 was a non-factor on the Wizards’ recent road trip. John Wall $8600 bounced back in a big way with 34 points after making just 7-for-26 in the final two losses on that Western swing; Kemba Walker $7200 had been sharper until a relatively quiet outing in last night’s costly home defeat.
The trick is to keep your options open. My sample lineup (above left) and the Short List below assumes the Clippers rest all three of their stars. If that isn’t the case, you can still adjust. There’s even $900 in salary flexibility built in.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | John Wall $8600 | Reggie Jackson $8000 | Austin Rivers $3200 |
| SG | Victor Oladipo $7900 | Kris Middleton $6400 | K. Caldwell-Pope $5200 |
| SF | G. Antetokounmpo $7100 | M. Kidd-Gilchrist $5800 | Jerami Grant $3200 |
| PF | Nerlens Noel $7800 | Ersan Ilyasova $6300 | R. Covington $4500 |
| C | Andre Drummond $9600 | Nikola Vucevic $7800 | Zaza Pachulia $5400 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.