It’s a relatively easy three bucks, plus eternal bragging rights if you finish ahead of Chris Sheridan tonight at DraftKings. Click here to enter, pick an 8-man lineup without exceeding the $50K salary cap, make your first deposit ($5 or more) and cheer on your players.
Our publisher has already picked his team — that’s like playing his hole cards face up. There’s $200,000 in guaranteed cash prizes, plus an additional $3 will be added to the account of everyone with a higher score than my boss.
I agree with many of his selections, especially the Suns. Markieff Morris $5700 was superb in his first start for interim coach Earl Watson. Interim PG Archie Goodwin $5900 played almost the entire game and Devin Booker $6000 keeps improving; unfortunately they are both SG-eligible. P.J. Tucker $5400 is also worth the money playing 40 minutes a night. That’s a big game in daily fantasy on a light NBA slate.
James Harden $10800 dished out 14 assists in addition to his 26 points in Tuesday’s win. Josh Smith $4800 impressed in a spot start at center and Marcus Thornton $3700 was sharp off the bench. Dwight Howard $7400 is very well rested after two ejections and a suspension; he’ll get extra run as Terrence Jones (car accident) is out and Clint Capela (hip) is questionable. Trevor Ariza $6200 plays PF when the Rockets go small, which also helps Corey Brewer $4000.
$200,000 Contest Offers “Beat Sheridan” Bonus
The $200K Sharpshooter is only a $3 buy-in (FREE with your initial deposit at DraftKings) where the top 17,775 finishers (from up to 76,666 teams) win cash. First place earns $10,000. Deadline is 7:00 EST; enter before it fills. You can make unlimited lineup changes until each player’s game begins.
Where my strategy differs from Sheridan’s is the Lakers-Pelicans game. Anthony Davis $10000 filled the stat sheet last night (28 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL, 4 BLK) in a loss to the mighty Spurs. I’m expecting a slight letdown due to fatigue and the quality of opponent. Jrue Holiday $7200, Norris Cole $5800 and Ryan Anderson $6400 can help out the big man and still win the game. Even Bryce DeJean Jones $4200 and Omer Asik $3500 are playable, because L.A. makes most guards and centers look good. Kobe Bryant $5900 (shoulder) rolled back the calendar on Tuesday with 38 points but is always questionable. Jordan Clarkson $5500 and D’Angelo Russell $4800 become interesting if he rests.
The schedule-makers gifted the Trail Blazers with only seven games in 15 days, all at home, and they have won five straight. Meanwhile, it’s the third road game in four nights for the Raptors. Jonas Valanciunas $6100 might be more of a factor tonight, but it comes down to guard play for both teams. Damian Lillard $8900 vs. Kyle Lowry $8700 will be worth staying up late to watch. DeMar DeRozan $8000 and C.J. McCollum $7000 are both razor-sharp. An unsung hero for Portland, Al-Farouq Aminu $5200 contributes at both ends of the floor in multiple fantasy categories. Gerald Henderson $3200, Meyers Leonard $3900 and Ed Davis $4100 are cheap plays with upside.
A 7-point loss in Boston and an injury to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (groin) leaves the Pistons short-handed and a bit weary tonight. Sheridan is keying on Andre Drummond $8600, Reggie Jackson $6800 and Brandon Jennings $4000; I’ll add Marcus Morris $5400 and Stanley Johnson $4400 as high-usage probabilities. Carmelo Anthony $8500 went 4-for-16 on Tuesday for the fading Knicks, whose only win in seven games was at home against Phoenix.
My sample lineup builds around three Rockets, two Suns and two Pistons. It’s a tossup among several candidates for the Util spot at $4200 or less, and breaking news throughout the day could affect multiple players. Don’t forget to enter your team and take your best shot at a piece of the $200,000 prize pool and the “Beat Sheridan” bonus bucks.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Kyle Lowry $8700 | Reggie Jackson $6800 | D’Angelo Russell $4800 |
| SG | James Harden $10800 | Archie Goodwin $5900 | Gerald Henderson $3200 |
| SF | Carmelo Anthony $8500 | Al-Farouq Aminu $5200 | Stanley Johnson $4400 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $10000 | Markieff Morris $5700 | Josh Smith $4800 |
| C | Andre Drummond $8600 | Dwight Howard $7400 | Meyers Leonard $3900 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.