We’re going to stick with the NBA tonight and try to take advantage of some fluky DFS player values. It’s nice of the Clippers to mail one in as the Jazz fight for their playoff lives.
Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick are all resting. Wesley Johnson (foot) is out, Austin Rivers $3400 (ankle) and Jeff Green $3800 (knee) are questionable. This means huge minutes for Jamal Crawford $4500 and Cole Aldrich $3500, with Pablo Prigioni $3000 also a possibility. Utah should romp without overworking their best players. Guys like Trey Lyles $3700 and Joe Ingles $3000 can mop up.
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The Hornets can afford to be cautious with Nicolas Batum $7300 (knee) so Kemba Walker $8100 might repeat his 34-point effort from Wednesday. Al Jefferson $4500 added 24 off the bench and Frank Kaminsky $3400 got the start. For the Nets, Thomas Robinson $5500 is averaging a double-double over his last five.
To finish third, Boston must beat the Bucks tonight and the Hawks tomorrow. Isaiah Thomas $7900 and Avery Bradley $5300 are solid plays, Jae Crowder $6000 is getting up to full speed and Marcus Smart $4300 led the bench on Wednesday. Evan Turner $5600 (eye) should return with protective goggles.
Detroit can clinch a playoff berth but the Wizards have won all three previous meetings. John Wall $9500 (knee) sat out on Wednesday as Bradley Beal $6100 and Marcin Gortat $6300 kept their faint hopes alive. Ramon Sessions $3700 was great in a spot start and Nene Hilario $3900 led the bench. Stan Van Gundy will ride all five starters hard; Andre Drummond $7700, Reggie Jackson $6100 and Tobias Harris $6100 are affordable but Kentavious Caldwell-Pope $4900 might be the best value.
Dallas has won five in a row without allowing an opponent to score 90. That’s terrific for the fans, players and coaching staff, not so great for fantasy owners. J.J. Barea $6500, Wesley Matthews $5000 and Devin Harris $3500 are my preferred plays; Memphis is relying mostly on Zach Randolph $6700, Matt Barnes $5200 and Jordan Farmar $4100.
The Heat won comfortably over Chicago to stay just a half-game out of third in a four-way scramble for East playoff seeding. They will try to beat Orlando without exhausting anyone. Aaron Gordon (concussion) is out, giving Andrew Nicholson $3800 extra run with Nikola Vucevic $7100, Victor Oladipo $6900, Elfrid Payton $5300 and Evan Fournier $4200.
After a tough loss to Golden State, the Spurs don’t care what happens in Denver. I’m guessing that LaMarcus Aldridge $7800 (finger) and Tim Duncan $4000 (age) will rest, perhaps others. Watch for bargains — Patty Mills $3300, Kyle Anderson $3000 and Boban Marjanovic $3000 are dirt-cheap if they get the opportunity to play.
The Raptors played hard in Atlanta last night, so they will be tired against the desperate Pacers. Paul George $8400 should take matters into his own hands.
In the lottery division, the Knicks visit Philadelphia. Sasha Vujacic $3300 and Derrick Williams $4600 are making the most of extra minutes. Jerian Grant $4000 could start against his brother Jerami Grant $4900; Nerlens Noel $5800 is back but on a minutes limit.
Kobe Bryant $4600 (age) might rest up for his two remaining home games, so Julius Randle $6000 is the only Laker worth considering in New Orleans. There’s value on what’s left of the Pelicans, led by Tim Frazier $5000, Toney Douglas $5400, Alexis Ajinca $4400 and Luke Babbitt $5100.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Kemba Walker $8100 | Isaiah Thomas $7900 | Ramon Sessions $3700 |
| SG | Victor Oladipo $6900 | Bradley Beal $6100 | Jamal Crawford $4500 |
| SF | Paul George $8400 | Tobias Harris $6100 | Derrick Williams $4600 |
| PF | Zach Randolph $6700 | Thomas Robinson $5500 | Andrew Nicholson $3800 |
| C | Nikola Vucevic $7100 | Marcin Gortat $6300 | Cole Aldrich $3500 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.