I hate crowing to the world wide web, but I told you so. Yesterday I predicted the Oklahoma City Thunder would snap the San Antonio Spurs 19-game winning streak, lo and behold they did.
Maybe Tony Parker is to blame for the loss, he’s surely who I’m blaming on my DraftStreet fantasy team. Last night I picked up the Spurs PG for only $10,938 and now I know why. Here’s his dreadful stat line: six points, four rebounds, three assists and three turnovers. Now I shouldn’t just pick on Parker, his teammate, Tiago Splitter, did equally as poor. He only managed to score once and did a lousy job on the glass with only three rebounds. But seriously, when is the first person going to say San Antonio’s winning streak was overrated? It wasn’t at all, but get ready for the pointless debate over it.
Today I purchased six-mid level fantasy players and two top notch guys. I figure balance is sometimes the best approach. With 14 NBA games on the schedule tonight, there’s lots to pick from.
And if you haven’t noticed yet, I’m starting to love fantasy basketball. You can play with me each night, click here.
Take a look at my fantasy team for tonight.
There’s a lot of potential in this lineup. Players like Tristan Thompson and Jared Sullinger will make or break the team.
Fresh off giving away $150,000, DraftStreet is running satellites for yet another $100,000 contest. Look for them in the NBA lobby for a chance to win a voucher to the NBA $100K Playoffs Big Score and a $20,000 first place prize. This one starts on April 19 and finishes on April 20, the two-day format being a wrinkle common to NBA playoff leagues. If you don’t have a DraftStreet account, you can sign up using this link.
Friday’s NBA Games
Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors
The Pacers have lost eight of 10 games on the road and somewhere along the way forgot to put the ball in the bucket. This fall from grace has been as dramatic as it is shocking. I have a rule of thumb with Indiana, wherever they are, keep your fantasy team away from. They don’t score and prevent other teams from scoring.
Denver Nuggets at Memphis Grizzlies
Another game that will be decided by defense. Memphis has every opportunity to control the tempo of this game. Denver has never been a great defensive team and will need to pull out some offensive magic to win this game. I like Zach Randolph at $14,245 for fantasy. I think he’s capable of a 20 and 15 game if Memphis controls the pace.
Orlando Magic at Charlotte Bobcats
All hail Al Jefferson. He’s been Charlotte’s saviour this season and is a fantasy machine. He’s gone from a no-name in Boston, to a valuable trade chip in Minnesota, to a solid starting center in Utah and finally a star in Charlotte. You can buy him for only $18,375 of your daily $100,000 cap.
Cleveland Cavs at Atlanta Hawks
These teams are fighting (kind of) for the eighth seed in the East. Cleveland was never really there and Atlanta has been falling hard over its last 20 games. Paul Millsap ($16,248) and Tristan Thompson ($11,870) are going head-to-head and I love that matchup. Either one is good for fantasy.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Can they both lose? This game doesn’t deserve a preview, but for the good folks of Boston let me say this: Jared Sullinger ($11,983) is a future star (if he stays healthy). He reminds me a lot of a young Millsap.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Miami Heat
Everyone thought this was Minnesota’s one chance to make the playoffs and resign Kevin Love. It doesn’t look like either of those will happen anymore. To save money, the next time the Wolves play in Southern California, just leave him there (I kid). But really, there’s no way he stays. Miami will probably light up this team for 110 points, my guess is LeBron James ($21,343) gets something like 32 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are opposite the Pacers right now, ending the year as strong as any team I can remember. In my opinion they don’t have a leader or even a star player anymore, but Deron Williams ($12,998) has been playing great ball of late.
Washington Wizards at New York Knicks
Another must-win game for New York if they want to secure that eighth and final playoff seed. They’ve won 12 of 15 and will probably get another W tonight. The only team that seems to always beat them is Toronto (see every trade and game over last 12 months). Take that Masai Ujiri!
Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
Maybe the least heart going up against the most heart, if sports writers were to measure that way. No way the Bucks win, and they really don’t care either. “I wonder if they’ll let us in the bars in Chicago,” just a quote from every Bucks player today. Go with Joakim Noah ($18,099), and I will admit he’s a top-5 in the MVP race.
New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz
Not much to say other than two teams built for the future playing in Utah. Anthony Davis went out last game with back spasms so I’m airing on the side of caution and not picking him.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets
The more I look at the Thunder the more I think they’re the most stable team in the league. What I mean by that, is if they keep doing everything the same and stay healthy, they will win the championship, in my opinion. Kevin Durant ($22,956) has averaged 37 points per game against Houston this year. This is a no brainer. Note: If KD scores at least 25 he will tie Michael Jordan’s record for most consecutive games with 25+ points with 40.
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers
Great guard play in this game. Damian Lillard and Goran Dragic (still underrated) are future stars, if they aren’t already. Use either of them with your fantasy team.
Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors
Boogie! Boogie! Boogie! Demarcus Cousins ($20,152) will tear Golden State to shreds tonight. The Warriors are without their two starting big men and have absolutely no way to stop him.
Dallas Mavs at LA Lakers
The Mavs sure need a win tonight – oh wait – they’re playing the Lakers, problem solved. Kendall Marshall at $10,018 is always a good price considering the amount of time he’ll play.
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Brett Poirier is a contributor to Sheridan Hoops. Follow @BrettNBA