Congratulations to everyone who keyed on Jimmy Butler $8700 and DeMarcus Cousins last night to win big at DraftKings. Also common to many of the highest-scoring eight-man lineups were Ish Smith and Robert Covington, but “hawks3312” won $15,000 for $3 with the best production from his other four players (Tony Parker, Joakim Noah $5400, Trey Lyles and Julius Randle.)
Tonight’s nine NBA games are a whole new DFS season. Butler, despite a tender ankle, scored 53 points and played 49 minutes as the Bulls needed overtime in Philadelphia. Pau Gasol $8400 (rest) is expected to play tonight; fatigue will be an issue for everyone else as they host the Mavericks.
If you paid top dollar for Russell Westbrook $10700 on Wednesday, his ejection was costly. He had a 22-point, 11-assist, 7-rebound line against the Wolves on Tuesday and is motivated at home tonight. Today’s sample lineup suggests one possible supporting cast if you think a triple-double is likely.
Anthony Davis $10300 showed no ill effects from his back injury (24 PTS, 10 REB in 37 MIN) and has a great matchup. He also dominates his position in total upside and deserves the high price tag, though you can find bang for the buck in other salary ranges.
Plays of the Day
The $300K Sharpshooter (All Day) is only a $3 buy-in (FREE with your initial deposit at DK) where the top 23,535 finishers (from up to 115,000 teams) win cash. First place is worth $20,000. Deadline is 7:00 EST; enter before it fills and you can make lineup changes until each player’s game begins.
The two highest-scoring players could be point guards. Damian Lillard $9400 can carve up the Nets, but if you don’t want to spend for him and/or Westbrook, Isaiah Thomas $7900 should earn his salary or more. Norris Cole $4200 is a possible bargain if Tyreke Evans $8000 (knee) can’t go. Beno Udrih $3300, overmatched by Chris Paul, will fare better vs. Jameer Nelson $4700 this evening.
While James Harden $9700 is always the #1 fantasy SG, other Rockets have been more involved during a five-game win streak, so he isn’t scoring quite as much. It’s not a bad spot to save; Eric Gordon $5300, Avery Bradley $5200 and Tyler Johnson $4200 are among several potential bargains to consider.
LeBron James $9900 and the Cavaliers face a brutal back-to-back after falling just short in San Antonio. Kevin Durant $9800 gets the nod as our premium SF, with Danilo Gallinari $7200 or Jae Crowder $6400 affordable options. Chandler Parsons $5400 had a season-high 25 points in 41 minutes and has enjoyed two full days of rest.
If you can’t afford Davis, Thaddeus Young $7100 and Dirk Nowitzki $6300 are solid midrange PF, Amir Johnson $5400 is on quite a roll and Nene Hilario $4200 is starting while Marcin Gortat (knee) recovers.
Dwight Howard $7400 was healthy enough to play three games in four nights, has seven straight double-doubles and is on national TV. The Nets showed some pride on Wednesday with Brook Lopez $7600 winning a battle of brothers. It’s a three-way tossup between them and Gasol, unless you punt C with a Frank Kaminsky $4400 or Gorgui Dieng $4200.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Russell Westbrook $10700 | Isaiah Thomas $7900 | Norris Cole $4200 |
| SG | James Harden $9700 | Jimmy Butler $8800 | Eric Gordon $5300 |
| SF | Kevin Durant $9800 | Danilo Gallinari $7200 | Chandler Parsons $5400 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $10300 | Thaddeus Young $7100 | Amir Johnson $5400 |
| C | Pau Gasol $8400 | Dwight Howard $7400 | Frank Kaminsky $4400 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.