Once again, a variety of NBA weekend start times will affect daily fantasy play at DraftKings. All Day contests at 3:30 EST include the Bulls and Clippers. The largest pools close at 6:00, spanning the other six games, then there’s Turbo (7:00) and Late (8:00) action on two games each.
The matinee should be fun to watch, featuring the battle between Pau Gasol $8800 and DeAndre Jordan $7700. A red-hot Chris Paul $9600 might be too quick for Derrick Rose $6000, and despite being listed as questionable, Jimmy Butler $8900 (ankle) sounds more probable. Taj Gibson $5600, Bobby Portis $3900 and E’Twaun Moore $3200 are potential bargains for the Bulls. Lance Stephenson $3200 scoring 16 points in 22 minutes was either the start of a trend or a one-night fluke.
While the above make All Day contests more interesting to handicap, our focus in today’s Short List and sample lineup is on the other six games.
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Last night the Warriors relaxed in Philadelphia, almost blew a 24-point lead and won ugly. Klay Thompson $7300 scored 32 points and Draymond Green $8800 just missed a triple-double, but Green and Stephen Curry $10700 combined for 14 of 23 turnovers. They might be more focused tonight in New York. Carmelo Anthony $8300 and Kristaps Porzingis $7100 were not overworked in Friday’s easy win over Phoenix.
What an unlucky stretch for the Hornets, with six rotation players out or questionable. On a positive note, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist $3700 made an unexpectedly early return from shoulder surgery, played 34 minutes and looked fine. Marvin Williams $5200 has become a go-to guy and Brian Roberts $3000 finished up well for Kemba Walker $8700 in Friday’s loss. It’s a chance for the Lakers to snap a nine-game losing streak. Kobe Bryant $5400 (shoulder) is questionable after resting on Friday, when Julius Randle $6100 had his best game of the year (23 points, 14 rebounds in 35 minutes.)
Not sure why Karl-Anthony Towns $7400 isn’t getting recognized yet for his greatness. He and Gorgui Dieng $5000 will be quite a load for Mason Plumlee $5500 and whoever the Blazers use at PF. Minnesota’s problem in Friday’s loss was terrible performances by the other three starters. Zach LaVine $5200 and Shabazz Muhammad $4500 were much better than Ricky Rubio $6100 and Andrew Wiggins $6200, who admitted being tired. Damian Lillard $9200, C.J. McCollum $7200, Al-Farouq Aminu $4900 and Allen Crabbe $4100 are all worth considering for the home team.
Revenge games for players and teams are real. Consider the Magic, whose ninth straight loss came in Boston on Friday. It’s a matter of pride in tonight’s rematch for Nikola Vucevic $7600, Victor Oladipo $6600 and Tobias Harris $6100. The Celtics’ second unit played most of the second and fourth quarters in a 19-point win. Marcus Smart $5200, Kelly Olynyk $5000 and Evan Turner $4800 often provide value at those prices.
Atlanta at Miami doesn’t figure to be high-scoring, but Amare Stoudemire $4200 keeps improving and is playable again if Hassan Whiteside $7500 (hip) misses another start. Dwyane Wade $7000 had four straight monster games on the road trip and Goran Dragic $5500 showed no rust on Friday after missing nearly three weeks. Trade rumors are swirling around Al Horford $6700 and Jeff Teague $5500 despite the Hawks being a half-game out of third in the East.
On a six-game tear, Chandler Parsons $6900 is finally all the way back. My only concern is a possible blowout limiting time for all the Mavs starters. Jordan McRae $3100 is on a 10-day contract with the hapless Suns; he scored 61 in the D-League and will be motivated. P.J. Tucker $5300 and Devin Booker $5000 are at least affordable. Keep an eye on breaking news; if Dallas rests Zaza Pachulia $5800 (leg), Salah Mejri $3400 might get another start.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10700 | Damian Lillard $9200 | Zach LaVine $5200 |
| SG | Klay Thompson $7300 | Victor Oladipo $6600 | Jordan McRae $3100 |
| SF | Carmelo Anthony $8300 | Chandler Parsons $6900 | M. Kidd-Gilchrist $3700 |
| PF | Draymond Green $8800 | Julius Randle $6100 | Marvin Williams $5200 |
| C | Nikola Vucevic $7600 | Karl-A. Towns $7400 | Gorgui Dieng $5000 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.