Launching a seven-game road trip, Golden State edged Utah 106-103 on Monday to remain unbeaten. Tonight in Charlotte should be a slightly easier task. Al Jefferson (calf) is out, giving Cody Zeller $3800 an opportunity. Kemba Walker $7500 and Nicolas Batum $7400 are the safe plays, Jeremy Lamb $4800 the value pick but it’s hard to recommend them.
Stephen Curry $10600 will do whatever is necessary, so along with Draymond Green $7900 and Klay Thompson $6200, the better the Hornets play, the more likely the Dubs are to earn those reasonable salaries.
Sometimes the most interesting real life games aren’t the best sources of daily fantasy bargains. A showdown between Anthony Davis $10700 and James Harden $10300 in Houston, with neither team playing well defensively and both out of playoff contention in the West. Another clash of expensive superstars has Paul George $10200 taking on Blake Griffin $9100 in Los Angeles.
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It will be an emotional return to Atlanta for DeMarre Carroll $5900, who was great in defeat on Sunday. More homecoming than “revenge game,” as he was very close to his teammates and coaches. Kyle Lowry $8600 may have a slight edge on Jeff Teague $6500 but the Hawks are superior up front with Paul Millsap $8100 and Al Horford $6500. Toronto really misses Jonas Valanciunas (hand) — starters Luis Scola $5300 and Bismack Biyombo $4900 are overmatched.
John Wall $8000 exploded out of a slump with 35 points to beat the Cavs in Cleveland last night. While this home game against the hapless Lakers will not be as intense, Marcin Gortat $5600, Bradley Beal $7000 and Jared Dudley $3300 should all get their numbers. Julius Randle $6300 and Jordan Clarkson $5600 are the safest plays for the visitors, but I’ll pass.
We called the Sixers win on Tuesday but they won’t make it two straight; Kristaps Porzingis $7900 and Carmelo Anthony $8300 are too good. What a game from Arron Afflalo $4600 on Sunday — 31 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST in 41 minutes of an overtime loss. Even half that production would be worth the money.
The Suns lost in Brooklyn and this back-to-back in Detroit will not be easy. Andre Drummond $9000 could dominate, but last night Alex Len $3300 was strong (13 PTS, 14 REB, 3 BLK) against Brook Lopez and with a similar effort, he’s hard to leave out. I might even start him at C in lieu of Horford and try to beef up the Util spot.
In DFS, we look for value — players expected to outperform their salaries. On a 9-game slate there are affordable options at every position but SG, where Harden’s dominance makes him a must-start. Tonight’s sample lineup and Short List includes my second choice at three spots, filling the other four with relatively cheap upside.
The best contests fill before the deadline, so enter early. Breaking news throughout the day can alter the values of multiple players. For example, Tyreke Evans $6600 (knee) double-doubled (20 PTS, 10 AST, 5 REB) in his first start of the season and is worth considering. But he did exceed his minutes “limit” and if it turns out that he’s not quite ready for a back-to-back, you can replace him. The profit margin is much higher when you stay on top of illnesses, injuries and other surprises in time to make adjustments.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10600 | John Wall $8000 | Norris Cole $3000 |
| SG | James Harden $10300 | Tyreke Evans $6600 | Arron Afflalo $4600 |
| SF | Paul George $10200 | DeMarre Carroll $5900 | Jared Dudley $3300 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $10600 | Paul Millsap $8100 | Ersan Ilyasova $4300 |
| C | Andre Drummond $9000 | Al Horford $6500 | Alex Len $3300 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.