The crowd cheers after Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scored during the first half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA playoff basketball series against the Memphis Grizzlies, Tuesday, May 5, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
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Philly heads into the first night of a back to back set and as per usual the big man will sit out one of those games, in this case the opening game against the Nuggets. Philly small forward Robert Covington who came into the day as doubtful will play tonight. RoCo is a solid option against the Denver interior, and he, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric, each see a nice boost in usage with Embiid's absence. Trevor Booker and Richaun Holmes may also see added value with Embiid resting.
Waiters has missed three games so far with a sore ankle, coach Spoelstra all but ruled Waiters out for both ends of this weekend's back to back set when announcing Waiters would miss last night's game against Brooklyn. Tyler Johnson has been filling in for the Miami starting rotation and is a nice cash game play.
The Spurs held Leonard out on Thursday but he is fully expected to rejoin the rotation tonight as the Spurs head into Motor City. If Leonard doesn't play Kyle Anderson becomes a phenomenal play with Rudy Gay already ruled out with a heel injury, if Leonard does play he and Anderson as still in play absorbing Gay's minutes, though with less upside.
Schroder is dealing with a left quad contusion, but is officially listed as probable for tonight's tilt with the Blazers. He will most likely play, however if he is scratched at the last minute Malcolm Delaney or Marco Belinelli will likely draw the starting nod at the point. If the latter is placed in the starting rotation in Schroder's place he becomes an intriguing play.
Curry has missed 11 games now with a sprained right ankle, he and the others have all been given the probable designation going into tonight's game with Casspi the only one who missed last night's contest. It is expected that Curry will return to the starting lineup tonight and send Shaun Livingston back to the bench, though he will likely be on a minutes restriction. Currys' return will also cut into Thompson and Kevin Durant's fantasy value in what is expected to be a blow out of Memphis, so all Warriors are probably best restricted to tournament plays only.
Lillard has missed three games so far with a hamstring injury, and will likely miss tonight's game but we expect more definitive word following the teams shoot around. If he is held out again, Shabazz Napier, who has paid 9X in three straight starts in Lillards absence rockets to the top of the must play list against a poor Atlanta perimeter defense.
Green has also missed three straight contests and is looking doubtful for a fourth. Currently listed as a game-time decision, if Green is eventually ruled out for the contest with the Warriors, Jarell Martin will likely draw the start in his place and becomes a nice play at the four.
Opponent - DEN
Proj Pts FD - 26.07 DK - 25.65
I noted in the picks article earlier today there wasn't a whole lot that I liked about center today, and gave two options I felt confidence in. The only other play I was considering for that spot is a true value play in the form of Richaun Holmes who will likely draw the start for Philly tonight in place of the resting Joel Embiid. In the last seven games that Embiid has missed Holmes has seen his minutes tick up from just 15 against Utah in early November to an average of 25 in three games that JoJo missed last week. In those games Holmes posted FanDuel scores of 27.9, 19.2 and 31.4 FDP for an average of 6.5X value over that stretch. The Nuggets have a less than average defense against opposing centers, the 39 FPPG they allow is the thirteenth most generous in the game. There are plenty of ways to spend up tonight, but center isn't a position we want to do so. Take the value with Holmes and run.
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