Sorry about the podcast feed being all choppy yesterday, but it was all Keith’s fault because he lives in Oklahoma. I think there’s like four mobile network towers in the entire state and to my knowledge, he’s not some civil engineer that can go around putting up telephone poles and wires, so you can’t blame the guy. And for the record, I think you need license to do all that around the neighborhood. I decided early on in life that I was never going to accept responsibility for anything that went wrong, and to just blame someone else…or a state in the middle of nowhere.

For everyone out there displeased with there being a podcast on Wednesdays and Fridays instead of an article, I’m working on it. There’s only so many hours in one day and I’m trying to do a million different things at once in my life right now, hoping that something sticks to the wall finally. I’d like to be able to get both accomplished on those days, but it is an incredibly difficult task. However, I will say that it does mean a lot to me that people actually get mad when there’s no article. That’s a good thing! That means they are reading it on a consistent basis and using as part of their research for the day. That was the whole point of this blog, so thank you!

There’s only six games on the NBA slate tonight, so luckily I was able to get this done earlier in the day. Here we go…

Chicago Bulls ( -7.5 )@ Philadelphia 76ers – O/U: 202.5

Multiple injuries for the Bulls could open up playing time for some cheaper guys that we may be able to take advantage of. Pau Gasol didn’t even travel with the team to Philly so Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah will probably draw the start, with Bobby Portis getting more minutes. It also allows Nikola Mirotic to stay unaffected in his small forward role.

Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose are both game-time decisions, so look for Doug McDermott to get some more run than usual against these stinkbombs. I’ve been keeping a close eye on him recently and he’s been playing very well in his limited bench role. Hopefully the Bulls can find a way to work him in a little more tonight. I don’t think he’ll start but I do think he’s a tremendous option at minimum price against the worst team in the NBA. Make a name for yourself, kid!

For Philly, I think Ish Smith can have a decent night; the price has come up a bit but it’s not like the Bulls are showstoppers at the point guard position. I’ll upgrade him a lot more if Rose is out. A few of the projection sheets like Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel to have productive nights, so one of the two may see my lineup. That’ll be all for the Sixers, and this game.

Detroit Pistons @ Memphis Grizzlies ( -1.5 ) – O/U: 192.5

This game has the lowest total of the night, so this is where I may have the least exposure. The spread is microscopic as well, so there is the off-chance that we see a close game, or an absolute blowout. These small spreads have a weird way of working out sometimes.

The matchup at center between Andre Drummond and Marc Gasol will be an outright battle and I believe they can increase each other’s productivity by sheer competitiveness. Gasol is a much better defender than Drummond, but Memphis has other capable rebounders on their team, whereas that’s not the case for Detroit. I know that doesn’t answer anything one way or the other, but it’s a coin flip.

A lot of people will be sleeping on Zach Randolph after his mediocre performance in a favorable matchup against Houston on Tuesday, but don’t you be one of them. Detroit ranks 22nd in the NBA against the power forward position. In your head, just imagine Irsan Ilyasova trying to bang up with Z-Bo. I know, I can’t do it either. On the other hand, Ilyasova isn’t a bad option either since he plays out more by the three-point line and Z-Bo can’t stick him there. Ohhhh what to do, what to do?

Cleveland Cavaliers @ San Antonio Spurs ( -5.5 ) – O/U: 195.5

This is surprisingly a game that I want some exposure to, but SOME, let’s not go crazy here. Both of these teams are a part of the NBA’s elite society so this will likely be a very close game with the Spurs pulling away at the end, according to Vegas.

I’m fully aware that the Spurs are atop basically every defensive category, but this is the kind of opponent that brings out the best in the fantasy impact of LeBron James. When the games are close, LBJ gets the minutes and usage rate going through the roof. In these scenarios he can put up about 50-60 fantasy points on pure talent alone. If the Cavs are playing some shitbag team and they’re up by 20 in the first half, LBJ can pour himself some lemonade and hang out on the bench. No lemonade tonight, folks.

It’s tough to look anywhere else for the Cavs without running into some bad matchups along the way. Last year when these teams met in San Antonio, Kyrie Irving went apeshit and scored 57 points, en route to a performance that tallied him just below 80 fantasy points. Is a repeat performance possible? I don’t think it’s etched in stone, but don’t think Kyrie doesn’t remember what he did against these guys last year. He’s a VERY interesting tournament option tonight.

Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge are my favorite plays from the Spurs. These are the two studs on the Spurs in what should be a very close game. San Antonio is favored in this game so I’m pretty sure this would be a great spot to target.

On Tuesday, I recommended Danny Green and I’m sorry! But I’m going to do it again. He always shows up in these weird spots and for damn near minimum price you can fit a few studs in your lineup.

Sacramento Kings @ Utah Jazz ( -3 ) – O/U: 200

Utah games usually make me want to catch up on my Netflix queue. I’m of Irish descent, so this means I’m stubborn and an asshole by nature. When I don’t like something or someone, they get dismissed on first notion. However, I’m going to change my ways for a few hours because Sacramento is allergic to defense and that means there are actually some decent options from the Mormon capital. Also, the three-point spread is somewhat intriguing to me and I think that and the 200-point total tell us that Sacramento could come out on top.

Gordon Hayward is a decently-priced option and gets serious consideration tonight; he finished with 42.7 fantasy points on Wednesday against Portland and has a great opportunity to duplicate that again. Rodney Hood probably has the best matchup as Sacramento has been pretty bad against SGs for a while now. The former Dukie has played 32 minutes in the last two games and that seems like a safe bet for him to be there again tonight. Derrick Favors has missed the last 11 games, but he could be back in the lineup at some point in the near future, like tonight. Check the newswire, and if it’s not him in the lineup, Trevor Booker and Trey Lyles would be his replacement yet again.

As I mentioned earlier, Sacramento’s odds tonight seem alright and I certainly don’t think they’ll get blown out. This would mean Rajon Rondo is probably the guy to have the most success with either DeMarcus Cousins or Rudy Gay following suit. Utah is a top-five defense across the board at every position (6th at PG, whaaaatever) and those guys are the ones I’d be comfortable rolling with. Omri Casspi , who just returned from a four-game absence isn’t a bad play either if you’re trying to save some money. I see falling just shy of 5x value tonight.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors ( -18.5 ) – O/U: 215

I really don’t care if the price is too high for Stephen Curry in the potential blowout, this is a dream matchup. The top shooter in the world gets to go up against the worst team in the NBA against point guards. The Warriors lost for the third time in their last game, so look for Curry and the rest of the team to dig in and get it done tonight.

Without Draymond Green in the lineup, we saw them struggle to find their identity early on Wednesday, as I mentioned on the DFS Army NBA Podcast yesterday, but that was their first game in that scenario. Tonight is their second time (MAAAAAJOR DIFFERENCE…) but at least they know what to expect now.

Plenty of value to go around on this team as well- Klay Thompson, not the cheapest nor the most expensive, is a damn fine play. He was slowed down somewhat in Wednesday’s loss to Denver but I expect him to be fired up and have a serviceable game. Thompson hasn’t reached over 30 fantasy points in the last three games, but the Lakers are the perfect remedy for busting through slumps. If you want to take a trip down narrative street, his dad Mychal played four and a half seasons with the Lakers and is currently their radio color commentator. Ah shux, someone is going to impress try and impress their Pops!

Andrew Bogut is a hidden gem because he typically hits 5x value at his bargain bin price, and that allows you to spend up elsewhere. Look, Bogut isn’t going to get you many real points on most nights, but he does get boards and blocks and those add up to fantasy points. Against the Lakers- 27th in the NBA against centers, 29th against all positions combined- he should a fantasy point feast down low. Without Draymond in the lineup, he’s certainly a lock for more rebounds than usual.

Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes are also guys that I wouldn’t mind rostering. If this game gets out of hand, which it probably will, then these guys will become the number one and two scorers on the court for the defending champs.

No one for the Lakers gets me incredibly jubilant, but with a total of 215, you might as well have some exposure. This guides me in the direction of Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams; Julius Randle is the guy the projection sheets like the most for the Lakers but I ain’t got time for all that. Clarkson and Williams will benefit because this is an up-tempo game, the highest of the night, and naturally that’s where most of the Lakers scoring is going to come from. Yes, they have tough matchups but this should be a fun all-star game type of atmosphere at Staples Center tonight.

For a deep tournament play, take a look at D’Angelo Russell for tons of garbage time minutes and Larry Nance, Jr. is even playable with Dray out for Golden State.