There are only five games in the NBA today, two of them matinees. DraftKings offers Early-Only and All-Day contests that close at 3:30 Eastern. Early competition is the ultimate “small pool” challenge, where you can afford the highest-priced guys on the board at multiple positions.
Kyle Lowry $8100 and Jeff Teague $6500 are the only candidates at PG unless you think Jose Calderon $4100 has turned a corner. DeMar DeRozan $8200 outplayed Jimmy Butler $7700 in Chicago on Monday; take your pick. Terrence Ross $4100 is the SG bargain play.
Carmelo Anthony $8300 is all alone on the SF list. Kent Bazemore $5600 is the next-best option at the weakest position, though DeMarre Carroll $4900 is looking more like himself each game. One of these nights…
Paul Millsap $8000 is a must-start against Kristaps Porzingis $6900 and Bobby Portis $4300 is terrific value. Go with Pau Gasol $7800 or Al Horford $6600 at C unless you punt the spot with Robin Lopez $4300.
Plays of the Day
The Late $22K Sharpshooter is just a $3 buy-in (FREE with your initial deposit at DK) where the top 1,872 finishers (from up to 8,433 teams) win cash. First place is worth $1,500. The deadline is 9:00 ET; enter before it fills.
Contests at 6:00 cover three evening games, our focus in the sample lineup and Short List. John Wall $9900 tops the pay scale and C.J. McCollum $8100 is a stud if Damian Lillard $8800 (foot) sits out again.
The small Suns lineup with P.J. Tucker $4800 at PF, T.J. Warren $5100 at SF and Devin Booker $4200 at SG lost respectably to the Thunder, then gave up 142 points in regulation last night, completely unable to cope with DeMarcus Cousins. Who knows how they will respond tonight? Warren (19 PTS) and Booker (21) were OK in the blowout, and Brandon Knight $7400 has a great matchup against the Lakers. If Kobe Bryant $6400 (shoulder) can’t go, Lou Williams $5400 is playable again. Both Larry Nance Jr. $4100 and Julius Randle $5600 are good investments.
I’d like the Nuggets more if they hadn’t lost a very tough one in overtime on the road last night. Will Barton $7300 played a strong 50 minutes (21 PTS, 13 REB, 7 AST) after scoring 31 in Portland on Wednesday against his former club. Danilo Gallinari $6700 had 24 points but may not be ready for a back-to-back after a 41-minute effort in his first start back from an ankle sprain. Jameer Nelson $5400 was in triple-double range (20 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST) in his 46 minutes. Kenneth Faried (neck) may be out for a while, so Darrell Arthur $3900 could step into a starting role. If Lillard does not return, Allen Crabbe $4800 and Meyers Leonard $4100 become even better value, but they’re affordable in any circumstance.
Wall is getting just enough help from Otto Porter $6000 and Marcin Gortat $7000 to keep the Wizards competitive. Ramon Sessions $4100 is doing his best off the bench to replace Bradley Beal (leg) but Miami is a tough opponent. Hassan Whiteside $7400 was terrific on Friday (25 PTS, 19 REB), Goran Dragic $5800 is heating up and Gerald Green $4300 filled in capably when Dwyane Wade $6900 (illness) was limited to 19 minutes. Washington has a revolving door of mediocre power forwards, so Chris Bosh $7500 may take advantage.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | John Wall $9900 | Brandon Knight $7400 | Jameer Nelson $5400 |
| SG | C.J. McCollum $8100 | Will Barton $7300 | Lou Williams $5400 |
| SF | Danilo Gallinari $6700 | Otto Porter $6000 | T.J. Warren $5100 |
| PF | Chris Bosh $7500 | Julius Randle $5600 | Larry Nance Jr. $4100 |
| C | Hassan Whiteside $7400 | Marcin Gortat $7000 | Meyers Leonard $4100 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.