We got a lot of bad luck out of the way on one Saturday night, with Nerlens Noel (eye), Bismack Biyombo (nose), Paul Millsap (shoulder), Jeff Green (back), Chris Andersen (foot) and Hassan Whiteside (hand) all leaving their games early. These things happen, and every misfortune benefits someone else. It’s a brand new season today at DraftKings, with NBA action tipping off at 1:00 Eastern.
Rockets and Thunder are loud and explosive. James Harden $11500 and Russell Westbrook $12500 stage an MVP throwdown on national TV. All-Day and Early-Only contests are predicated on what you do with those two mega-salaries. Using both is a possibility, if you like enough “scrubs” to fill the other six spots.
Still not playing at DK? They match your first deposit 100% (up to $600) with bonus funds that convert to cash, plus you get plus you get a FREE entry in the $70K Sharpshooter at 6:00 ET — the top score earns $5,000 and 5,400 of 26,820 teams win cash.
The 3:30 matinee isn’t as exciting. Kevin Love $8000 (back) remains the only question mark for Cleveland; LeBron James $11500 and Kyrie Irving $8000 are ready for the playoffs. The Bulls will be better if Derrick Rose (knee) returns before these teams meet again. Jimmy Butler $8000 and Pau Gasol $9000 are the plays today.
We’re going to focus on the evening games in today’s Short List and sample lineup. That takes LBJ, Westbrook and Harden off the board and leaves us with one fantasy monster to build around. DeMarcus Cousins $10300 has been completely unstoppable for three straight games, notching triple-doubles in the last two. Tonight he’ll be trying to score on Rudy Gobert $8400 — you could key on both, unless foul trouble intervenes — but it’s a road back-to-back for the Jazz.
The Warriors are in San Antonio, though it will be nothing like a playoff preview. Neither team wants to give away strategy or risk injury. Draymond Green $7500 (shin) returned last night but might rest, in which case David Lee $4600 would start. Otherwise it’s Stephen Curry $9300 and Klay Thompson $7300 against Kawhi Leonard $7800 and that flexible Spurs rotation. Tiago Splitter (calf) is out; Boris Diaw $4400 will get some of his minutes while Aron Baynes $3300 might start against Andrew Bogut $4900.
Clippers “at” Lakers on their shared home court is simply unfair. Chris Paul $9700, Blake Griffin $8600 and DeAndre Jordan $8100 are going to dominate for as long as they play. Jordan Clarkson $6700 has been on a roll, but his salary has risen accordingly.
The Heat are exhausted from a heartbreaking loss in Detroit and running out of healthy bodies (Mr. Whiteside ripped the stitches out of his sore hand; Birdman can hardly walk.) Their playoff chances are fading and this is a “last stand” at home for the Pacers. Paul George $5000 will make a brief, emotional return after missing all season with a broken leg, but George Hill $7400 is the play.
The Knicks aren’t completely hopeless, with Ricky Ledo $3600 suddenly hot and Quincy Acy $3100 getting more run. The Sixers lost in Charlotte last night and their best player (Noel) is doubtful. Bargain-hunters might consider Jerami Grant $3200, who blocked six shots for a nifty 34 FPTS.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $9300 | George Hill $7400 | Ray McCallum $4600 |
| SG | Klay Thompson $7300 | Danny Green $5400 | Ricky Ledo $3600 |
| SF | Kawhi Leonard $7800 | Luol Deng $5500 | Jerami Grant $3200 |
| PF | Blake Griffin $8600 | David West $5700 | Boris Diaw $4400 |
| C | D. Cousins $10300 | Andrew Bogut $4900 | Aron Baynes $3300 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.