When news broke via Twitter around 6:30 on Wednesday that Markieff Morris (knee) would join Tyson Chandler (hamstring) on the sidelines, Jon Leuer became a DFS must-start and Mirza Teletovic nearly as good a play. I’d already touted Alex Len, who turned out to be least productive; his foul trouble helped the other two score 69.5 FPTS (DraftKings fantasy points.)
Three Suns combined for 85.25 FPTS at a cost of $10400. Mirza saved $2500 at SF and let me upgrade at PF and C. Those lineup changes were profitable, but I won’t be doubling down tonight because of a family dinner. When I’m unable to make adjustments near the deadline, my daily budget is $5 or less. Other days it’s closer to $50.
Russell Westbrook $10400 and Kevin Durant $10100 are both in peak form. While you could use both and surround them with value picks, it’s not easy to choose between them. Dwyane Wade $6800 and Chris Bosh $7400 should keep the Heat close; Luol Deng $4200 (hamsting) is doubtful so Gerald Green $4200 will get another start.
Now that Rudy Gobert (knee) is out indefinitely, Derrick Favors $7200 will play more center and Trevor Booker $4000 figures to start for the Jazz. Gordon Hayward $6600 might become more aggressive and Alec Burks $5100 should gain a few minutes when they go small. Orlando has won four in a row, with Victor Oladipo $6600 still getting 30 minutes off the bench. Channing Frye $3300 is the nominal starting PF but Andrew Nicholson $3700 finishes. Nikola Vucevic $6600 and Tobias Harris $6200 are worth the money. Elfrid Payton $6100 could make the difference but is prone to random off-nights.
Plays of the Day
In addition to 7:00 EST contests that span all six NBA games, there’s Turbo play at 9:00 on just two games, Orlando at Utah and San Antonio at Memphis. The $25K Sharpshooter (Turbo) is a $3 buy-in (FREE with your first deposit) that pays the top 1,920 finishers from up to 9,583 teams. First place wins $2,000. Enter now and make lineup changes until 9:00 — it pays off!
Kawhi Leonard $8600 is a must-start in Turbo play, Marc Gasol $7300 was spectacular in New Orleans on Tuesday (38 PTS, 16 REB, 6 AST, 4 BLK) and Matt Barnes $4300 is solid value but otherwise I’m not crazy about that game. You can pay more at SF in 6-game leagues (Paul George $10000 or KD) but I’m leaning to Hayward in the sample lineup and Short List.
After last night’s win over the Hawks, the Raptors might relax against Denver. Kyle Lowry $8500 scored 22 points in the fourth (a team record for any quarter) despite an illness. His “backup” Cory Joseph $3900 is getting 30+ minutes as Toronto plays more small ball and the Nuggets have nobody who can stop DeMar DeRozan $7100. If Kenneth Faried $5800 re-injured his ankle and can’t go, Darrell Arthur $4200 benefits most, and Joffrey Lauvergne $3900 (back) is finally healthy.
Boston at Sacramento is full of possibilities. DeMarcus Cousins $10600 will be unstoppable. Rajon Rondo $8800 and Rudy Gay $7000 are playing well and George Karl gives Darren Collison $4400 and Omri Casspi $4700 starter minutes. The Celtics are deeper, with Isaiah Thomas $7500 and Jared Sullinger $6400 consistent. Amir Johnson $4400 had a big double-double on Monday and Evan Turner $4800 has stepped up with Marcus Smart (leg) sidelined.
Indiana visits Portland 24 hours after beating a Clippers team without Chris Paul and J.J. Redick. The Blazers are home underdogs but Damian Lillard $9200 is consistently brilliant and Meyers Leonard $4500 is an excellent price. In Tuesday’s overtime loss he played 32 minutes, scoring 23 including four 3-pointers. C.J. McCollum $6400 and Mason Plumlee $5700 might also surprise the Pacers, though PG-13 is better than ever and they have won six straight. Rodney Stuckey $3900 had his best game in a month (18 PTS in 32 minutes) and Ian Mahinmi $4700 was surprisingly effective against DeAndre Jordan.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Russell Westbrook $10400 | Damian Lillard $9200 | Cory Joseph $3900 |
| SG | DeMar DeRozan $7100 | Dwyane Wade $6800 | Gerald Green $4200 |
| SF | Kevin Durant $10100 | Gordon Hayward $6600 | Jared Dudley $3300 |
| PF | DeMarcus Cousins $10600 | Derrick Favors $7200 | Trevor Booker $4000 |
| C | Marc Gasol $7300 | Nikola Vucevic $6600 | Meyers Leonard $4500 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.