It’s a great day to be a basketball fan, with ten NBA games, highlighted by the Warriors in Cleveland for a Finals rematch (and possible preview.) If both clubs have a playoff-level intensity, Draymond Green $9600 will try to contain LeBron James $9800 while Stephen Curry $10500 and Kyrie Irving $6900 make each other work hard for every point.
The fascinating nightcap has Houston visiting the Clippers. James Harden $9900 scored 31 points in just 27 minutes last night in a romp over the Lakers. Dwight Howard $7700 double-doubled (14 PTS, 15 REB, 3 BLK) in 26 minutes. DeAndre Jordan $7800 has missed two games with an illness, so Cole Aldrich $4200 could be prominent again, but Chris Paul $9700 must avoid the foul trouble that plagued him on Saturday, while one (or both) of J.J. Redick $5400 and Jamal Crawford $4500 get hot from beyond the arc.
There are seven opportunities to win cash in DFS play at DraftKings: All Day pools at 1:00 Eastern, two start times at 2:00 (one spans nine games, the other just three), plus others at 3:30 (2 games), 7:30 (4 games), 8:00 (3 games) and 8:30 (2 games.)
Plays of the Day
The $225K Sharpshooter (All Day) is only a $3 buy-in (FREE with your initial deposit at DK) where the top 17,345 finishers (from up to 86,250 teams) win cash. First place gets $15,000. Deadline is 2:00; enter ASAP and make lineup changes until each player’s game begins.
Blazers at Wizards could be high-scoring, with Damian Lillard $9600 and John Wall $9500 pushing the tempo. If Otto Porter $6700 (hip) misses another game, Kelly Oubre Jr. $3800 is a bargain. Marcin Gortat $7000 double-doubled in his return from a knee infection and can dominate inside, but may have trouble with the range of Meyers Leonard $3800.
Boston at Dallas is another potential track meet, with Isaiah Thomas $8000 and Deron Williams $5800 both reasonably priced. It’s a revenge game for Jae Crowder $6600, if you like that angle. The Mavericks are certainly experienced; Dirk Nowitzki $6400 and Zaza Pachulia $6200 have surprised a lot of younger opponents this season.
In a lopsided matchup, Toronto is back home and well rested against the struggling Nets. Kyle Lowry $8700 played 47 minutes in Thursday’s overtime, overseas win (24 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST) and the Brooklyn point guards are not very good. Cory Joseph $4100 is getting extra run when DeMar DeRozan $8100 shifts to SF, and Patrick Patterson $4200 was sharp in London.
Jimmy Butler $8500 was understandably exhausted in Friday’s loss after dropping 53 in 49 minutes the night before. The last time these rivals met, the Pistons won a quadruple-overtime classic in Chicago. All five Detroit starters hit double figures as they upset the Warriors on Saturday. Andre Drummond $8900 vs. Pau Gasol $8300 will be a fascinating battle, as will Reggie Jackson $7000 vs. Derrick Rose $5800.
Anthony Davis $10100 and all the Pelicans will have easier matchups than facing the Grizzlies on the road. The best PF values are in the midrange, with Paul Millsap $8200, Kevin Love $7100 and Dirk worth considering.
At C, if you can’t afford Drummond or one of the Gasol brothers, Rudy Gobert $6300 had the breakout game we’ve been expecting (18 PTS, 18 REB, 5 BLK.)
It’s an interesting puzzle today. Despite all the available superstars, I’m going with five compromise choices in the sample lineup and filling with three bargains. Good luck!
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Chris Paul $9700 | Kyle Lowry $8700 | Cory Joseph $4100 |
| SG | James Harden $9900 | Jimmy Butler $8500 | Jamal Crawford $4500 |
| SF | LeBron James $9800 | Jae Crowder $6600 | Kelly Oubre Jr. $3800 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $10100 | Paul Millsap $8200 | Patrick Patterson $4200 |
| C | Andre Drummond $8900 | Rudy Gobert $6300 | Meyers Leonard $3800 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.