Los Angeles Lakers @ Atlanta Hawks – Start Time – 7:30 PM

Notable stats:

• The Lakers are last in the league in defensive efficiency ( 114.7 )
• The Hawks are 22nd in the league in defensive efficiency ( 105.1 )
• The Lakers are 7th in the league in pace ( 97.9 )
• The Hawks are 14th in the league in pace ( 95.8 )

SPIN ( LAL ): Given the pace and defensive struggles of both teams, this should be the most heavily targeted game of the evening.  Kobe Bryant ( $8,800 ) will continue shooting at will, and makes for an excellent play this evening.  He is underpriced, and is a high floor, high ceiling player that is appropriate for both cash and GPP lineups.  Jordan Hill ( $6,800 ) is also a strong play.  The Hawks are terrible at rebounding the basketball, and struggle to defend opposing front court players.  Ed Davis ( $4,400 ) is in play in GPPs because of his ability to produce in limited minutes, but his inconsistency makes him unusable in cash games.

SPIN ( ATL ): The Lakers are the best team in the league to target.  They are the worst team in the league defensively, and they play a fast-paced game.  Fire everyone up against them.  DeMarre Carroll has already been ruled out, making Thabo Sefolosha ( $3,200 ) an absolute must play in all lineups.  He’s filled in nicely, and he’ll see a boost above his current production given the plus matchup.  Jeff Teague ( $7,000 ) is a terrific option facing Jeremy Lin’s non-existence defense.  Kyle Korver ( $5,700 ) will see open three-point looks all night and is underpriced relative to his production this season.  Paul Millsap ( $8,700 ) is expensive, but his ability to contribute in all counting categories makes him a very high floor, high ceiling play in this matchup.  Al Horford ( $7,200 ) is the least-preferred option of the Hawks starters.  He’s been passive and seems to be allergic to rebounding right now.  Jordan Hill is the preferred play at center.

Summary:

All Games:  Kobe Bryant – SG, Jordan Hill – C, Jeff Teague – PG, Thabo Sefolosha – SG, Kyle Korver – SG, Paul Millsap – PF

GPP Only:  Ed Davis – PF

New York Knicks @ Milwaukee Bucks – Start Time – 8:00 PM

Notable stats:

• The Knicks are the slowest team in the league, with a 30th ranked pace of 91.8
• The Bucks are ranked 2nd in defensive efficiency ( 94.7 )
• The Knicks are ranked 25th in defensive efficiency ( 107.3 )
• The Knicks are allowing a league-worst 42% 3-point field goal percentage

SPIN ( NYK ): Overall, this game feels like one to avoid, but Iman Shumpert ( $3,900 ) makes for a great value play if he’s cleared to play.  He’s questionable as of now and it’s simply a matter of whether or not the team’s medical staff clears him.  If he’s in, fire him up as he’s been very consistent in the triangle offense, and is almost guaranteed to give you a good return on your investment.  Carmelo Anthony ( $9,500 ) seems overpriced for this particular matchup, but he’s in play due to his high upside and the relative weakness of the small forward position.  You can ignore the other Knicks.

SPIN ( MIL ): The Bucks are still subject to the whims of head coach Jason Kidd, and Brandon Knight ( $7,500 ) is the only sensible option for cash games.  He’s a high upside play due to his rebounding ability, and he should see some open looks from behind the arc since the Knicks are incapable of defending the perimeter.  Giannis Antetokounmpo ( $5,200 ) has been starting, but his game is more suited to a faster pace, and this isn’t a great spot to deploy him, especially when he’s near Kyle Korver’s price point.  The other Bucks are safe to avoid.

Summary:

All Games:  Iman Shumpert – SG, Carmelo Anthony – SF, Brandon Knight – PG

GPP Only: Giannis Antetokounmpo – SG

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz – Start Time – 9:00 PM

Notable stats:

• Utah is 29th in pace ( 92.6 )
• Oklahoma City is 26th in pace ( 93.0 )
• Utah is 28th in defensive efficiency ( 110.4 )
• Oklahoma City is 11th in defensive efficiency ( 101.2 )

SPIN ( OKC ): Reggie Jackson ( $8,500 ) is the only consistent option for the Thunder.  He’s in play in cash games, but he may not have enough upside to justify his price in GPPs, especially when you consider that Kobe Bryant is only $300 more.  Serge Ibaka ( $7,500 ) continues to be the most overpriced player in all of daily fantasy, and he should never be rostered at this price.  Swingmen Jeremy Lamb ( $5,800 ) and Anthony Morrow ( $4,200 ) are too inconsistent for cash game use, but are in play in GPPs due to their ability to get hot and knock down shots.  Overall, the Thunder aren’t very attractive due to the slow pace of this game.

SPIN ( UTA ): This game will be slow, relatively low-scoring, and the Thunder play solid defense.  Nobody from Utah is very exciting.  Gordon Hayward ( $7,700 ) is in play due to the limited options at small forward.  He contributes in every category, creating a high floor and high ceiling for himself.  It’s safe to ignore the other Jazz players.

Summary:

All Games:  Reggie Jackson – PG, Gordon Hayward – SF

GPP Only:  Jeremy Lamb – SG, Anthony Morrow – SG

New Orleans Pelicans @ Sacramento Kings – Start Time – 10:00 PM

Notable stats:

• Sacramento is 10th in pace ( 96.9 )
• New Orleans is 13th in pace ( 95.8 )
• Sacramento is 14th in defensive efficiency ( 102.8 )
• New Orleans is 16th in defensive efficiency ( 103.4 )

SPIN ( SAC ):  Rudy Gay ( $8,100 ) is currently questionable with Achilles tendinitis.  We may not receive word until the first games start, but if you’re interested in rostering him and he’s declared out, Gordon Hayward makes for a fine pivot.  Omri Casspi ( $3,000 ) could draw the start if Gay is forced to sit.  He’s produced in limited minutes and would make for a fine value play tonight.  Darren Collison ( $6,500 ) is attractively priced, and should see a bump in usage if Gay is forced to sit.  DeMarcus Cousins ( $9,900 ) always has high upside, but he can be avoided in cash games.  His average production is nowhere near justifying his salary.  He’s limiting himself by getting into foul trouble way too much, and that money would better be spent elsewhere to balance out a lineup.

SPIN ( NO ):  Anthony Davis ( $11,000 ) is matchup-proof and should be rostered whenever possible.  Even at this price, he feels underpriced. Tyreke Evans ( $7,200 ) has a revenge game tonight, but his playability is more tied to a solid level of consistency, and high upside due to his ability to contribute in every category.  He’s a very good play at $7,200.  Bump him even more if Rudy Gay sits out as the Kings will simply have no one to guard him.  Omer Asik ( $5,400 ) missed last game and the word is still out on whether or not he plays tonight.  He’s not in play regardless. Alexis Ajinca ( $3,000 ) started for him last night.  He’s only in play if you like rostering players that foul at an alarmingly high rate.  Ryan Anderson ( $5,400 ) saw the bump in minutes last night, and the same would be true again tonight.  However, playing alongside Davis, Evans, and Holiday severely limits his upside as there are just not enough shots to go around.

Summary:

All Games:  Rudy Gay ( if active ) – PF, Omri Casspi ( if he starts for Gay ) – SF, Darren Collison – PG, Anthony Davis – PF, Tyreke Evans – SG

GPP Only:  DeMarcus Cousins – C