Monday’s excitement will be a tough act to follow for the NBA. Four games went to overtime, two of them to double OT, and the defending champion Warriors made a convincing statement with 132 points in Cleveland. Kemba Walker scored a career-best 52, a new Hornets record. Dwight Howard posted an enormous double-double (36 PTS, 26 REB) in a losing cause, while J.J. Redick dropped 40 for the first time.
Although tonight’s four games aren’t likely to provide as meany thrills, they comprise an entire new fantasy “season” at DraftKings. Congratulations to “beanzzz,” who used Howard with Chris Paul (28 PTS, 12 AST, 6 STL, 6 REB) instead of Kemba and still got enough production from the other six lineup spots to score 373 fantasy points and win $15,000 for three bucks.
Plays of the Day
The $275K Sharpshooter is only a $3 buy-in (FREE with your initial deposit at DK) where the top 21,185 finishers (from up to 105,417 teams) win cash. First place gets $20,000. Deadline is 7:30; enter before it fills and make lineup changes until each player’s game begins.
Russell Westbrook $10700 will be flying high in Denver, where Kevin Durant $9900 and Danilo Gallinari $7100 might both earn their salaries. Serge Ibaka $5900 has been aggressive in three straight (23-for-43) and the Thunder are even running a few plays a night for Andre Roberson $3200 and Steven Adams $4400. Their second unit is dangerous in blowouts but we’re expecting the big guns to be needed.
This could be the highest-scoring game of the night by a considerable margin. Emmanuel Mudiay $5400 is starting again, and with Jusuf Nurkic (knee, ankle) out, Nikola Jokic $4800 has seized his opportunity. Gary Harris $4400 and Will Barton $6100 play well together when the Nuggets go small.
The Timberwolves are in New Orleans for the first of many meetings between Kentucky legends Anthony Davis $10000 and Karl-Anthony Towns $6800. The Pelicans lost a tough road game yesterday and if Tyreke Evans $7800 (knee) can’t go, Ricky Rubio $6900 has a favorable matchup opposite Norris Cole $3800. Minnesota’s biggest advantage is Andrew Wiggins $6900; the sophomore is too long for Eric Gordon $5100 to cover and too quick for Dante Cunningham $3400. An upset is possible, unless Jrue Holiday $6000 and Ryan Anderson $6200 contribute off the bench against youngsters Zach LaVine $4800, Shabazz Muhammad $4400 and Gorgui Dieng $4100.
Without George Hill $5300 (personal), Rodney Stuckey (foot) and Ian Mahinmi $5300 (heel), the Pacers played a great game in Denver, coming up just short in overtime. We expected Monta Ellis $6500 and Paul George $9200 to excel, but rookies Myles Turner $3500 and Joe Young $3100 stole the show. If Hill arrives in time, Young loses value, while Mahinmi’s return would limit Turner’s minutes. The Suns have lost 12 of 13. They rely heavily on Brandon Knight $7200 — who missed last week’s 19-point defeat in Indianapolis — and management has either made amends with Markieff Morris $4800 or are showcasing him for a trade.
Miami must be glad that 2-4 road trip is over. Goran Dragic (calf) is out, Beno Udrih $4000 (neck) is doubtful, Gerald Green $4600 (knee) is questionable and Dwyane Wade $6700 (shoulders) is not 100%, leaving Tyler Johnson $5100 to log huge minutes again. Hassan Whiteside $7500, Chris Bosh $7600 and Luol Deng $4500 will need to play very well to hold off the confident young Bucks, who have enjoyed some rest since beating Atlanta in overtime, then winning in Charlotte the following night.
Giannis Antetotekounmpo $7000 has really asserted himself the last few games, with Khris Middleton $6900 and Greg Monroe $6900 providing consistent support. Jabari Parker $5000 is steadily improving and whenever he gets minutes, John Henson $4000 is a DFS bargain. Keep in mind that the Heat are harder to score on than 28 other teams, allowing only 95.5 PPG.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Russell Westbrook $10700 | Brandon Knight $7200 | Norris Cole $3800 |
| SG | Andrew Wiggins $6900 | Monta Ellis $6500 | Tyler Johnson $5100 |
| SF | Kevin Durant $9900 | Danilo Gallinari $7100 | Luol Deng $4500 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $10000 | Chris Bosh $7600 | Markieff Morris $4800 |
| C | Hassan Whiteside $7500 | Nikola Jokic $4800 | Myles Turner $3500 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.