It’s Friday night, and there will be plenty of good action on the hardwood. If you can care less about that game with the white ball and red stitches, then you’ll be in heaven tonight with 22 of the 30 National Basketball Association teams in action. The best fantasy games of the night might be the Thunder-Pacers and Warriors-Jazz. Andrew Bynum looks like a great play tonight as well.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers 7pm ET
We haven’t seen this all season, if ever, but Thunder PG Russell Westbrook ($196K) actually has a higher salary than SF Kevin Durant ($182K). Durant has managed 29 or more fantasy poionts in each of his past eight games, while Westbrook has more than 29 fantasy points in just five of his past nine games. In other words, the Durantula is a bargain right now, so jump on him at this price. It won’t last long. Westbrook has been good, too, but if choosing between the two, it’s an easy choice. Perhaps PF David West ($91K) is more bothered by his finger issue than we thought. He hasn’t missed any time since the March 29 injury, but he has seen a decrease in production in each of his past three games, bottoming out at 10 fantasy points.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors 7:30pm ET
Cavaliers swingman Anthony Parker will miss this game and the next due to a bruised sternum, so avoid him at $101K. The team is also considering shutting down PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) for the rest of the season, so scratch him from your list. G Lester Hudson ($78K) is getting plenty of playing time lately, and he has had increased fantasy production in each of his past three games. He has averaged 19.5 fantasy points per game over his past two, yet still comes relatively cheap. Raptors swingman Gary Forbes (knee) won’t play in this one, so avoid him at $84K. PG Jose Calderon ($120K) is also dealing with an eye injury and won’t dress. G Ben Uzoh ($55K) might be a great play with Calderon on the shelf.
Washington Wizards at New Jersey Nets 7:30pm ET
Once again, both PF Trevor Booker ($82K) and PF/C Nene Hilario (foot) have been ruled out, so PF/C Kevin Seraphin ($126K) and SF Jan Vesely ($71K) are solid options once more. Nets PG Deron Williams (virus) was a late and surprise scratch Wednesday, as he came down with a virus and was unable to go. He is expected to return for this one, but fantasy owners might want to wait one game for him to prove his health before plugging him back in, especially at $176K. PF/C Shelden Williams ($68K) is expected to return from a four-game absence due to an eye issue.
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks 7:30pm ET
Pistons G Rodney Stuckey (hamstring) returned after a three-game absence and hit six of his seven field goal attempts in 19 minutes, and he reported feeling good after the game. There is still some risk, especially at $113K, and he might be playing with some restrictions going forward so be careful. Pistons PF/SF Tayshaun Prince ($130K) has seen decreasing fantasy points in each of the past two games, posting just 16 points Thursday against Washington. He is too expensive as opposed to his production lately.
Memphis Grizzlies at Miami Heat 7:30pm ET
Grizzlies SG O.J. Mayo ($118K) has been on a tear lately, rattling off five straight games with 20 or more points. He has also hit the mark in seven of his past eight contests. Heat swingman Mike Miller (ankle) is reportedly nearing a return, but it won’t be in this one. However, at $55K, he’ll be a solid add when he does come back, perhaps Sunday. Grizzlies PF/C Zach Randolph ($71K) has been a huge disappointment lately, seeing decreased fantasy points in each of his past three games. He hasn’t gone for 20 or more fantasy points since March 25.
Charlotte Bobcats at Milwaukee Bucks 8:30pm ET
Bucks swingman Carlos Delfino (groin) is a question mark, and it appears he is unlikely to play again. Avoid him at $98K. It appears more likely PF/C Drew Gooden (back) will be able to play, although he did not take part in a light workout with the team Thursday. Still, at $115K, you might not want to roll the dice. If Gooden is sidelined again, F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute ($78K) might draw another start. Even if he doesn’t start, he has managed 11 or more fantasy points in each of his past 10 games. Bobcats PG D.J. Augustin (knee) left his last game due to tendinitis in his knee, and there is no word if he’ll play in this one. Avoid him at $80K just to be on the safe side.
Portland Trail Blazers at Dallas Mavericks 8:30pm ET
Trail Blazers C Joel Przybilla (ankle) is dealing with a sprained left ankle, and is a question mark for this one. When he is 100 percent, he sin’t all that great anyway, so definitely avoid him now. PF/C J.J. Hickson ($126K) might see even more minutes if Przy can’t go. Mavericks PG Jason Kidd (groin) is out again, so look for SG/PG Delonte West ($72K) to draw another start. He has averaged 17.7 fantasy points per game over his past three. With Kidd on the shelf, SG/PG Rodrigue Beaubois ($74K) is also back in the plans. He had a 20-point fantasy night Wednesday.
New Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs 8:30pm ET
Hornets SG/PG Jarrett Jack (foot) continues to deal with pain in his right foot, and it sounds like there is no way he’ll push it. And why should he, with the Hornets going nowhere? SG/PG Greivis Vasquez ($87K) had 24 fantasy points Wednesday in his absence, and had 15 or more fantasy points in each of his past five. Spurs PF/C Tim Duncan ($148K) has alternated good games with average games over his past five, and he had 33 fantasy points last time out. If you believe in trends, you might want to consider avoiding him in this one.
Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets 9pm ET
Nuggets swingman Wilson Chandler ($85K) is going for an MRI on his groin, so it appears he will certainly be sidelined for this one. If so, swingman Corey Brewer ($67K) will be worth a spin. SF Danilo Gallinari (thumb) said he is targeting Monday to return, so avoid him at $109K. Suns PF/SF Grant Hill (knee) is targeting a mid-April return date, so obviously he should be avoided at $97K. At the exact same price, Suns SG Shannon Brown is worth using. He has exactly 18 fantasy points in each of his past three games. Talk about consistency.
Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz 9pm ET
Warriors PF/C David Lee ($197K) has managed 37 or more fantasy points in each of his past eight games. If you’re going to spend big money, Lee is a great add since you know what you’re going to get. Jazz PF Paul Millsap (illness) is dealing with a stomach virus, and was absent during Friday’s morning shootaround. He is officially a game-time decision. Check back frequently throughout the day before pulling the trigger on him. PF Derrick Favors ($87K) might be a great add if Millsap is out. PG Devin Harris (ankle) is expected to play, but who knows if he’ll be the good Harris or bad Harris. He has been just too inconsistent this season to shell out $83K.
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers 10:30pm ET
Lakers F Metta World Peace (ankle) is dealing with an ankle issue. It doesn’t sound like something that will keep him sidelined, but avoid him just in case. At $75K, he’s not worth the risk. After returning from an ankle issue, Lakers C Andrew Bynum ($159K) exploded for 54 fantasy points in his return Wednesday against the Clippers. He told the Los Angeles Times his ankle is still bothering him slightly, but it sounds like he intends to play through the discomfort. Rockets PF/SF Chandler Parsons ($95K) seen a slight decrease in minutes, and therefore production. He is averaging just 14.3 fantasy points per game over his past three, making him a bit overpriced.
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