On a six-game NBA Thursday, the most obvious high-scoring game has Sacramento visiting New Orleans. Unfortunately, Anthony Davis $9900 (concussion) is doubtful and Tyreke Evans $7400 (knee) is questionable, so the Kings have quite an advantage.
Whenever Rudy Gay (eye) is out, DeMarcus Cousins $11200, Rajon Rondo $8400, Willie Cauley-Stein $5100 and Omri Casspi $5800 are all worth owning in DFS contests at DraftKings. While Boogie is certainly capable of earning that lofty salary, will he need to? Even if the Pelicans lose badly, Ryan Anderson $6300 and Jrue Holiday $6700 are excellent plays, with Norris Cole $5100 and Toney Douglas $3600 potential bargains. Stacking the maximum seven players from that clash is not the worst plan.
The Wizards have fallen to 11th in the East. With Bradley Beal (concussion) doubtful, Otto Porter $6400 returns just in time to complement John Wall $9100 and Marcin Gortat $7100 against a Nuggets team that lost a tough one in Boston last night. While it’s possible that Danilo Gallinari $7000, Kenneth Faried $5700 and Will Barton $5700 will overcome fatigue, a slump-breaking romp for Washington seems more likely. Nene Hilario $4500 looks healthy and backup Gary Neal $3500 is a better daily play than starting SG Garrett Temple $4400.
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Regular readers know I live in Toronto and love the Raptors, whose attempt to win a franchise-record tenth straight game will be a lot more difficult if Kyle Lowry $8600 (wrist) can’t go. Backup PG Cory Joseph $3600 is a good price either way, as he gets extra run when coach Dwane Casey goes small and DeMar DeRozan $8000 shifts to SF. Terrence Ross $4000 would also gain value in Lowry’s absence. Carmelo Anthony $8200 (knee) made the trip, but if he sits out one more, consider Derrick Williams $5500. If Jose Calderon $4100 struggles again, Langston Galloway $4000 will get another extended opportunity.
Bulls at Lakers is a mismatch, especially with Kobe Bryant $5400 (shoulder), Julius Randle $5900 (leg) and Lou Williams $5900 (illness) all questionable. That could mean plenty of shots for Jordan Clarkson $5700 and D’Angelo Russell $5100. Chicago can afford to rest Derrick Rose $6000 (hamstring) one more night, whick would make Aaron Brooks $4200 a great price. The caveat with Pau Gasol $8700 and Jimmy Butler $8800 is that they might not have to play huge minutes; Taj Gibson $5500 is a sneaky play and Bobby Portis $3500 could surprise with Nikola Mirotic (appendix) out.
The other two games feature more D and presumably fewer points. Paul George $8900 broke out with 34 and 31 in his last two and the Hawks have to be tired after dropping a tough battle at home last night to the Clippers, despite a Paul Millsap $8300 double-double. At home, with a day of rest, the Pacers and are determined to snap a three-game losing streak. George Hill $5100 is back and rookie Myles Turner $4600 has been terrific off the bench in five straight.
Winning five of six has vaulted the Grizzlies to fifth in the West, while Milwaukee is 7-20 on the road. Marc Gasol $7500 can handle Greg Monroe $7000 and Mike Conley $6200 is back in form. You never know who else might get hot for Memphis; it was Jeff Green $4900 last game but Zach Randolph $5800 is still dangerous. Although Khris Middleton $7200 has scored 20+ in six consecutive games, Tony Allen $5000 will be all over him. Giannis Antetokounmpo $7100 could be the best of the Bucks in a tough matchup.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | John Wall $9100 | Jrue Holiday $6700 | Aaron Brooks $4200 |
| SG | Jimmy Butler $8800 | DeMar DeRozan $8000 | Gary Neal $3500 |
| SF | Paul George $8900 | Otto Porter $6400 | Dante Cunningham $3100 |
| PF | DeMarcus Cousins $11200 | Ryan Anderson $6300 | Bobby Portis $3500 |
| C | Pau Gasol $8700 | Marcin Gortat $7100 | Myles Turner $4600 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.