The real-life showcase of tonight’s six NBA games has the Clippers visiting San Antonio. From a daily fantasy perspective, the nightcap (Kings at Lakers) is even more interesting.
DeMarcus Cousins $10500 is deservedly the highest-salaried player on the board. After serving a team-imposed suspension, Boogie scored 31 points and contributed in every other category in Sunday’s loss against the tough Jazz defense. Rudy Gay $6100 and Rajon Rondo $7800 have cooled off lately but Omri Casspi $4100, Willie Cauley-Stein $3600 and Darren Collison $5200 are trending upward.
Kobe Bryant $5300 (shoulder) is in the last month of his amazing career and wants to play all 15 games, which limits the usage rate of D’Angelo Russell $6900, Jordan Clarkson $6000 and Lou Williams $4800. If/when the Mamba rests, all three gain value. This is a difficult matchup for Julius Randle $6400 and Roy Hibbert $3100; with Brandon Bass $4100 (eye) questionable, we could see more of Larry Nance Jr. $3000.
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Chris Paul $9600 scored 28 points with 12 dimes the last time he faced the Spurs, but that was in Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard $8500, LaMarcus Aldridge $7400 and company are 32-0 at home. Even if CP3 and DeAndre Jordan $7300 are at their very best, the supporting cast isn’t quite good enough until Blake Griffin (quad) returns. Veterans like Tim Duncan $4500, Tony Parker $4600 and Manu Ginobili $3700 are capable of elevating their games when needed most.
In another clash of playoff-bound teams, Indiana is at home to the Celtics. Isaiah Thomas $7100 takes on a struggling George Hill $4400 (toe) but Jae Crowder (ankle) is out, so Paul George $8200 should bounce back from Sunday’s dud. Monta Ellis $5800 and Myles Turner $5200 are also worth using for the Pacers, while Jared Sullinger $6000, Avery Bradley $5000 and Evan Turner $5400 play key roles for Boston.
Last night in Miami, the Nuggets scored 119 points and lost. Kenneth Faried $6200 made all 11 shots (24 PTS, 11 REB), Emmanuel Mudiay $6600 also double-doubled (23 PTS, 10 AST) and D.J. Augustin $4200 stayed sharp off the bench. Nikola Jokic $6300 and Gary Harris $5100 are also playable in a possible shootout. Back from a 1-3 trip out West and fresh from two days off, Orlando is shorthanded, with Nikola Vucevic $7700 (groin) and Elfrid Payton $5600 (elbow) doubtful. Victor Oladipo $7400, Aaron Gordon $6800 and Evan Fournier $5900 can pad their stats, while C.J. Watson $3500 and Mario Hezonja $4000 are possible bargains.
Somehow the Raptors lost at home to the injury-plagued Bulls. In Milwaukee for this back-to-back, Kyle Lowry $8100 and DeMar DeRozan $7600 must overcome fatigue, while Bismack Biyombo $3700 will start if Jonas Valanciunas $5400 (hand) can’t go. The young Bucks enjoyed a day off after three straight wins. Giannis Antetokounmpo $9200 has been spectacular, while Khris Middleton $7500, Jabari Parker $6400 and Greg Monroe $6100 are playing well. Although Jerryd Bayless $4700 is no match for Lowry, the price is right.
The two worst teams in the East square off in Brooklyn. Ish Smith $6700 and Nerlens Noel $6500 have some chemistry together for the 76ers, while Carl Landry $3700 and Hollis Thompson $4300 have filled in for Robert Covington (concussion) and Jerami Grant (concussion) since they collided. The Nets rely on Brook Lopez $7900 and Thaddeus Young $7000 but have dropped six of seven, including last Friday’s game in Philadelphia. Donald Sloan $4600, Bojan Bogdanovic $4600 and Sean Kilpatrick $3200 are affordable in this rematch at home.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Chris Paul $9600 | Isaiah Thomas $7100 | Darren Collison $5200 |
| SG | DeMar DeRozan $7600 | Khris Middleton $7500 | Sean Kilpatrick $3200 |
| SF | G. Antetokounmpo $9200 | Kawhi Leonard $8500 | Omri Casspi $4100 |
| PF | DeMarcus Cousins $10500 | LaMarcus Aldridge $7400 | Carl Landry $3700 |
| C | Brook Lopez $7900 | Jared Sullinger $6000 | Bismack Biyombo $3700 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.