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This corner enjoyed a profitable weekend. We offer 15 player picks each day in the Short List. There are many ways to put them together; yesterday’s sample lineup keyed on Anthony Davis (59 points, 20 rebounds) and produced a total of 320.5 FPTS. Congratulations if you tweaked my other selections for an even larger payoff.
We also got a few things right on Saturday, when top-rated Hassan Whiteside $7400 went off (25 PTS, 23 REB, 2 BLK) in less than 30 minutes. If Dwyane Wade $7100 (knee) misses another game, Miami will again rely heavily on Whiteside, Goran Dragic $6200 and Luol Deng $5800; again I’ll be using all three. This is the third road game in four nights for the Pacers, who shocked Oklahoma City on Friday and edged Orlando last night. Ian Mahinmi $5000 has never looked better, but the starters played heavy minutes in both wins so fatigue is a concern.
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The Warriors visit Atlanta on NBA-TV in the best real-life matchup and a huge consideration in DFS. Stephen Curry $10700 was picked up by Klay Thompson $7700 and Draymond Green $8900 on Saturday but the MVP is due for a huge night. Jeff Teague $6000 (wrist) may not be 100% and while Dennis Schroder $5500 carved up Milwaukee, this is a much tougher assignment. If Green tries to slow down Paul Millsap $8100, the Hawks might feed Al Horford $6500.
Although the Cavaliers played a superb game on the road yesterday, Kyrie Irving $7900 (illness) is questionable and a slight letdown is possible as they try for a sixth consecutive win. Kevin Love $7300 was brilliant and LeBron James $9700 seems to flirt with a triple-double every night. Matthew Dellevadova $3800 gains value if Kyrie sits and Richard Jefferson $3000 was surprisingly good with Iman Shumpert $3700 (shoulder) sidelined. Meanwhile, Detroit lost their fifth straight as newcomer Tobias Harris $5700, Reggie Jackson $6600 and Andre Drummond $8000 all played well but could not overcome the brilliance of Davis.
Yesterday Toronto pulled away from Memphis in a defensive battle. Tonight, the home-underdog Knicks could surprise them. Carmelo Anthony $8600 and Kristaps Porzingis $7000 are especially difficult matchups for the Raptors, who are weak at PF and SF until DeMarre Carroll (knee) returns. Of course, Kyle Lowry $8300 and DeMar DeRozan $7500 have a similar advantage against the New York guards. Jonas Valanciunas $6100 must play well and the bench includes potential bargains Cory Joseph $4100 and Patrick Patterson $3900.
At home, the athletic young Bucks should trounce the Lakers. Giannis Antetokounmpo $7100, Khris Middleton $7200, Greg Monroe $7100 and Jabari Parker $5900 have too much talent. D’Angelo Russell $4500 is (finally) starting for L.A. and Julius Randle $6100 averages a double-double but this is a road back-to-back. If Kobe Bryant $5900 takes the night off, Jordan Clarkson $5300 becomes a better play, and with Roy Hibbert $3600 nearly useless, Brandon Bass $4000 is gaining value.
We liked the Celtics last night in Denver and they won by 20; Minnesota is a tougher matchup. Karl-Anthony Towns $8500, Andrew Wiggins $6300 and Zach LaVine $5200 are all playable. If Ricky Rubio $6100 can slow down Isaiah Thomas $7800 this could go down to the wire. Evan Turner $5100, Jared Sullinger $5700, Avery Bradley $5200 and Jae Crowder $5700 are all affordably priced.
The setting Suns are in way over their heads against the Clippers, with no answer for Chris Paul $9600 or DeAndre Jordan $7600. Jamal Crawford $5600 and J.J. Redick $4900 are the other obvious plays, though garbage time could affect everyone’s minutes. Phoenix added Paul Pressey $3000 on a 10-day contract and started Ronnie Price $3000 at PG, leaving Archie Goodwin $6000 overpriced as a backup SG. Alex Len $4600 and Mirza Teletovic $4500 are at least inexpensive.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Stephen Curry $10700 | Goran Dragic $6200 | D’Angelo Russell $4500 |
| SG | Klay Thompson $7700 | Khris Middleton $7200 | Zach LaVine $5200 |
| SF | LeBron James $9700 | Luol Deng $5800 | Mirza Teletovic $4500 |
| PF | Draymond Green $8900 | Kevin Love $7300 | Jabari Parker $5900 |
| C | Karl-Anthony Towns $8500 | Hassan Whiteside $7400 | Alex Len $4600 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.