A 13-game slate means plenty of choices in daily NBA contests at DraftKings. Of the four players with 5-digit salaries, James Harden $11000 is probably the safest play, as he leads the Rockets into San Antonio. LeBron James $10100 will be rested at some point — he may sit out entirely on Sunday or Monday — and we can’t be sure of his minutes tonight in Milwaukee.
Anthony Davis $11200 has 29 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in a huge victory last night; the Pelicans now have a half-game edge for the final playoff spot. While we can be sure of his focus and effort, a back-to-back in Memphis is not an ideal situation for huge numbers. DeMarcus Cousins (foot) is highly unlikely to return after sitting out Tuesday’s game.
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John Wall $8800 tops the PG list and has an easy matchup, with Reggie Jackson $8500 also worth a look. Kyrie Irving $7900 is slightly more affordable, and Damian Lillard is coming off a 36-point game when he was the Blazers’ primary weapon. We’re a bit concerned about using any Hawks in a road back-to-back, and if Jeff Teague $5800 is rested, Deron Williams $6800 becomes an even better play. I don’t recommend going cheap at this position but C.J. McCollum $3600 might surprise again and Tony Parker $5400 (Achilles) is questionable, which likely means a start for Cory Joseph $3200.
After Harden, SG is between Jimmy Butler $7800 and DeMar DeRozan $8100. You could try to save money with Gerald Henderson $5700, Charlotte’s best player in a crushing defeat last night, or look for a bargain like O.J. Mayo $3600, the #1 option off the bench for Milwaukee.
We can’t be sure about minutes for LBJ, and Kawhi Leonard $8000 played last night. So did Rudy Gay $7500, who scored 33 points despite a lingering headache from a concussion. There’s a lot of uncertainty at SF — Gordon Hayward $7700 is at home against a weak opponent, but has not exactly been dominating of late. Tobias Harris $6700 is a possibility, or you could save money with Omri Casspi $4500, off that 31-point outing. Rookie Rodney Hood $4400 is starting for the Jazz and just played the game of his brief career.
If you don’t want to pay retail for the Unibrow, LaMarcus Aldridge $8800 didn’t make the trip to Brooklyn for Monday’s makeup game, so he’s very well rested and has an easy matchup. Nerlens Noel $7900 is another solid alternative at PF. While Greg Monroe $7500 (knee) is expected to return, we’ll play wait-and-see. Thaddeus Young $5900 is another of the Nets whose value rises if Atlanta starts a ‘B’ team. Tyler Hansbrough $3500 should start again for the Raptors and talented rookie Aaron Gordon $3200 has been turned loose by the Magic.
Brook Lopez $8300 has been very good to my teams for the last few weeks. Andre Drummond $8500 might lose a few touches with Monroe back, making Rudy Gobert a close second choice at C. Dwight Howard $6600 is still on a minutes limit, so Jonas Valanciunas $6200 might be the best choice in the salary midrange. There are bargains available — Bismack Biyombo $4600 had a double-double with four blocks last night and Mike Muscala $3900 (16 PTS, 7 REB, 4 STL) should start again.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | John Wall $8800 | Deron Williams $6800 | Cory Joseph $3200 |
| SG | James Harden $11000 | DeMar DeRozan $8100 | O.J. Mayo $3600 |
| SF | LeBron James $10100 | Kawhi Leonard $8000 | Rodney Hood $4400 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $11200 | L. Aldridge $8800 | T. Hansbrough $3500 |
| C | Brook Lopez $8300 | J. Valanciunas $6200 | Mike Muscala $3900 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.