There are ten NBA games today, but the afternoon start (Indiana at Dallas) is included only in All-Day contests at DraftKings, which close at 2:00 EST. Our focus is on the other nine and the largest DFS pools at 7:00.
Several teams are playing back-to-backs and injuries are piling up. We’ll try to take advantage of spot starters at low prices. The Grizzlies beat New Orleans in overtime last night with a makeshift lineup and unlikely heroes. Matt Barnes $5300 had his first-ever triple-double and Lance Stephenson $4800 scored a career-high 33 off the bench. JaMychal Green $6000 also rewarded his fantasy owners again (21 PTS, 10 REB) but his salary has risen 90% in three games.
Back home with a day of rest after a tough five-game trip, the Hawks should win easily enough. Paul Millsap $7700, Al Horford $6700, Jeff Teague $6000 and Kent Bazemore $5100 are attractively priced if you think the game will stay close; Dennis Schroder $4200 and Kris Humphries $3100 might get extra run if Memphis is gassed.
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How did Russell Westbrook $10800 and Kevin Durant $10500 lose at home to Minnesota? Now they must travel to San Antonio, where Kawhi Leonard $8500 and LaMarcus Aldridge $7400 are 31-0. That’s not to ignore Tony Parker $4800, Tim Duncan $4500, a ridiculously deep bench and superb coaching.
Anthony Davis $9800 played 47 minutes last night, Jrue Holiday $8300 a season-high 41 and the disappointed Pelicans move on to Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo $8700 was already a point-forward before O.J. Mayo (ankle) was lost for the year. Jerryd Bayless $4500 is now the starter and Tyler Ennis $3000 might be better value off the bench. Khris Middleton $7400 and Greg Monroe $6200 also have good matchups.
A slight letdown can be expected for the Warriors after Friday’s rout. They scored 81 in the first half, slowed down Damian Lillard $9800 and got 15 threes from the Splash Brothers as Klay Thompson $7000 (37) outscored Stephen Curry $10300 (33.) Neither should have to play big minutes against the lowly Suns. Although Devin Booker $6100 has been hot — and profitable! — his salary rises again for this tough assignment.
The Blazers head home for a must-win against the Magic, who won in Sacramento last night with key players missing from both lineups. Lillard can carve up C.J. Watson $3400 and with Nikola Vucevic (groin) out, both Mason Plumlee $4200 and Meyers Leonard $3300 are interesting in the C or Util spots.
The Rockets won a tough battle in Boston and move on to Charlotte. While James Harden $10600 and Dwight Howard $8100 are obvious, newcomer Michael Beasley $3000 had 18 points and eight boards in 15 minutes last night. Gotta admire the Hornets for winning their sixth in a row despite the 30-point streak of Kemba Walker $8600 ending at four. Marvin Williams $5400 and Nicolas Batum $7000 picked up the slack.
Three Pistons scored 20 or more last night but Andre Drummond $7900 was disappointing. They must beat the Sixers to maintain eighth place, and with Jahlil Okafor (knee) done for the year, Nerlens Noel $6200 takes over at center, where he’s clicked well before with Ish Smith $6800. Both Robert Covington and Jerami Grant were injured in a collison last night, so Carl Landry $3200 and Hollis Thompson $4000 will see plenty of action. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope $5000, Tobias Harris $6200 and Reggie Jackson $6500 are all worth considering.
Shut down in Utah, the Wizards try to regroup in Denver. John Wall $9500 has a big edge over Emmanuel Mudiay $6800 but Washington has dropped four straight to fall 2.5 games back of a playoff position.
Miami at Toronto might be a better game in real life than fantasy. It’s a road back-to-back for the Heat after an impressive 22-point demolition of the Bulls. Goran Dragic $6600 and Hassan Whiteside $8200 continue to impress. The Raptors rely heavily on Kyle Lowry $8600 and DeMar DeRozan $6500; team defense was much better in Thursday’s win.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Damian Lillard $9800 | Kyle Lowry $8600 | Tony Parker $4800 |
| SG | James Harden $10600 | Khris Middleton $7400 | Hollis Thompson $4000 |
| SF | Kevin Durant $10500 | G. Antetokounmpo $8700 | Michael Beasley $3000 |
| PF | Anthony Davis $9800 | LaMarcus Aldridge $7400 | Carl Landry $3200 |
| C | Hassan Whiteside $8200 | Al Horford $6700 | Meyers Leonard $3300 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.