When they played Sacramento twice in the first four days of the season, the Clippers won by seven on the road and by five at home. Tonight the Kings don’t have to deal with Blake Griffin (quad) and DeAndre Jordan $7800 has been ill, so DeMarcus Cousins $10500 should be dominant. Rajon Rondo $8500 will have his hands full with Chris Paul $9200, who has put the team on his back for ten straight wins.
John Wall $9100 was brilliant on Friday (28 PTS, 8 AST, 7 REB) and Bradley Beal $6600 added 22 in only 22 minutes off the bench as the Wizards beat the Pacers impressively. Meanwhile, the Celtics toyed with Phoenix — it was 68-47 at the half — as seven players hit double figures including a Marcus Smart $4200 triple-double. Worth noting is that Boston won 111-78 and 118-98 in their previous two meetings. Jared Sullinger $5100 and Kelly Olynyk $4800 are both good plays with Nene Hilario $4400 filling in for Marcin Gortat (knee.)
At home, the Pistons won’t roll over, though Andre Drummond $8600 is the only starter I’d consider. Reggie Jackson $7000 has struggled and Brandon Jennings $3900 is gaining value. Of course, if the Warriors get too far ahead, Stephen Curry $10600, Draymond Green $9800 and Klay Thompson $7900 won’t play as much. Harrison Barnes $5600 and Andrew Bogut $4700 are reasonably priced.
Plays of the Day
The $18K Sharpshooter (Late) is only a $3 buy-in (FREE with your initial deposit at DK) where the top 1,380 finishers (from up to 6,899 teams) win cash. First place gets $1,000. Deadline is 8:00 EST; enter before it fills and make lineup changes until each player’s game begins.
We are on the Ish Smith $7300 bandwagon but not against Damian Lillard $9400, whose last four games have been sensational. After 33 points, 10 assists and zero turnovers in Brooklyn, the only caveat is possible garbage time. However, the Sixers don’t quit, and Jahlil Okafor $6200 will be a handful for Mason Plumlee $4900. Because Jerami Grant (calf) is doubtful, Robert Covington $5000 — who we touted here on Thursday — will likely benefit. For the Blazers, Allen Crabbe $4200 outscored C.J. McCollum $7300 and Ed Davis $4000 double-doubled.
The other four games don’t figure to be as high-scoring. Atlanta lost on the road in overtime last night and will do no more than necessary to beat the Nets. Brook Lopez $7600 vs. Al Horford $6900 is always interesting. With 15 points and nine assists in a losing cause, Donald Sloan $4000 has clearly taken over from Shane Larkin $4400 but is not likely to repeat those numbers often. Dennis Schroder $5000 could get hot off the bench if Jeff Teague $5700 needs some rest.
Milwaukee won that battle with the Hawks, while the Hornets lost a tough one on the road. Hot hands include Kemba Walker $8200, Nicolas Batum $7300 and Frank Kaminsky $4400 for Charlotte; Khris Middleton $6800 and Giannis Antetoukounmpo $6800 for the Bucks. John Henson $3900 played 31 minutes (10 PTS, 7 REB, 6 BLK) to reward his owners.
Carmelo Anthony $8300 (ankle) and Kristaps Porzingis $7300 (shoulder) are both questionable. Robin Lopez $5000 has to take on Marc Gasol $7400. Even with Mike Conley $6200 (Achilles) doubtful, the Grizzlies look good at home. Mario Chalmers $6500 has been excellent as they play matchups with Zach Randolph $6500 and Matt Barnes $5400. It now looks like Jeff Green $4800 will come off the bench; he’s inconsistent in any role.
Derrick Favors (back) and Trevor Booker $4500 (concussion) are out, leaving Trey Lyles $4500 as a strong play. The rookie has scored 35 points in back-to-back starts, on 14-for-20 shooting. Gordon Hayward $7500 is decent value and we keep waiting for Rudy Gobert $6000 to explode. If Kobe Bryant $5900 (shoulder) sits out, all three of Lou Williams $6400, Jordan Clarkson $5800 and D’Angelo Russell $4800 benefit. Julius Randle $5000 and Larry Nance Jr. $5000 are stuck in a timeshare.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10600 | Chris Paul $9200 | Marcus Smart $4200 |
| SG | Klay Thompson $7900 | Khris Middleton $6800 | Allen Crabbe $4200 |
| SF | Gordon Hayward $7500 | Nicolas Batum $7300 | Robert Covington $5000 |
| PF | DeMarcus Cousins $10500 | Zach Randolph $6500 | Trey Lyles $4500 |
| C | Andre Drummond $8600 | Marc Gasol $7400 | Kelly Olynyk $4800 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.