It’s a 7-game NBA slate on Monday with several high-scoring possibilities. The unbeaten Warriors might underestimate the much-improved Pistons, which is actually a better DFS scenario than a blowout.
Reggie Jackson $7400 and Andre Drummond $9100 have led Detroit to a surprising 5-1 start including three road wins. While not predicting an upset, I’m hoping it’s close enough that Stephen Curry $10500, Klay Thompson $6600 and Draymond Green $6800 have to play big minutes.
Looking for their first home victory, the Nuggets are fresh off two days’ rest, while Portland collapsed in the fourth quarter last night, blowing a 13-point lead to lose by 17 in their own gym. Kenneth Faried $6400, Danilo Gallinari $6100, former Blazer Will Barton $4700 and Gary Harris $3400 are the top values for Denver. Damian Lillard $8500, Al-Farouq Aminu $6100, C. J. McCollum $6400 and Meyers Leonard $3900 are playable for the visitors.
DeMarcus Cousins $9800 (Achilles) is questionable — that’s promising after a four-game absence. If he does not return, the Spurs should cruise. Darren Collison (hamstring) is out, so Rajon Rondo $6500 will play 40+ minutes again and sixth man Marco Belinelli $4200 will also get extra run against his former team. Kawhi Leonard $8100 and LaMarcus Aldridge $6900 are the safest plays for San Antonio but Patty Mills $3000 may offer the best bang for the buck.
Plays of the Day
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Chris Paul $9000 (groin) is doubtful, so Austin Rivers $3000 is a likely starter at a rock-bottom price. Except for Mike Conley $6100 and Marc Gasol $6900, the Grizzlies are playing like a team that wants to get their coach fired. With Zach Randolph $6100 (calf) and Brandan Wright $3200 (knee) both questionable, and DeAndre Jordan $7800 able to slow down Gasol, Blake Griffin $9600 should dominate yet again.
The Timberwolves can give Atlanta a good game. Though Karl-Anthony Towns $7400 has a size advantage, Al Horford $7100 has more range and savvy. Paul Millsap $7700 is a strong play, as Minnesota is still figuring out the PF spot. Euroleague MVP Nemanja Bjelica $4300 is coming off his best NBA game (17 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST, 1 BLB, 1 STL in 40 minutes) but that included overtime. Andrew Wiggins $6000 is getting healthier (31 PTS) after a slow start due to back pain. The PG battle between Jeff Teague $6700 and Ricky Rubio $7500 might decide this one.
Those inconsistent Bulls should beat the 76ers because Jimmy Butler $7900 is too good. Philadelphia’s young big men Jahlil Okafor $6300 and Nerlens Noel $7000 aren’t overmatched by Pau Gasol $7300 and Nikola Mirotic $6400. Off to a terrible start except for one big game, Derrick Rose $5800 needs to outplay T.J. McConnell $5300 and let Butler do the heavy lifting.
Paul George $8600 is a monster and Orlando has nobody capable of handling him. The Pacers don’t have much else — George Hill $5900 isn’t guaranteed to outplay Elfrid Payton $5800 (who came to life on Saturday) and Monta Ellis $5600 vs. Victor Oladipo $7600 favors the visitors. Nikola Vucevic $7600 (knee bruise) is now questionable after missing two games; if he returns the Magic can win. Dewayne Dedmon $4600 has filled in capably but isn’t a fantasy asset. Apart from PG-13, this is a game to avoid.
If not for that pesky $50K salary cap, the “perfect” 5-man lineup would be Curry, Butler, Drummond, Griffin and either Kawhi or George. It’s mathematically possible to use four of them, along with four extreme bargains. On a hunch that Golden State can deal with Drummond, I’m going with Meyers Leonard at C in the sample lineup. Mills, Rivers and Jeff Green $3500 are my other “scrubs” with upside.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10500 | Damian Lillard $8500 | Patty Mills $3000 |
| SG | Jimmy Butler $7900 | Victor Oladipo $7600 | Austin Rivers $3000 |
| SF | Paul George $8600 | Kawhi Leonard $8100 | Jeff Green $3500 |
| PF | Blake Griffin $9600 | Paul Millsap $7700 | Nemanja Bjelica $4300 |
| C | Andre Drummond $9100 | Jahlil Okafor $6300 | Meyers Leonard $3900 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.