We've got the birthday angle to cover for Karl-Anthony Towns tonight as he somehow turns only 24. Russ Westbrook also celebrated a birthday this week, and he didn't fare so well the next night, going 6-20 from the field on Wednesday. It brings up an interesting DFS angle of the 🎁Birthday Fade🎁. Are Towns and the rest of the Timberwolves safe since it's the day of and not the day after?

Let us celebrate a nice week of a plethora of NBA games by opening up our cards from grandma and cashing that check (hopefully for more than $1.85)

Tonight's DFS Headlines

What kind of party did the Rockets have to celebrate Russell Westbrook's birthday on Tuesday night? Their injury report now looks more like a guest list to Club ONYX as Eric Gordon (knee), Danuel House (back), and Clint Capela (concussion) will all likely miss the game vs. Indiana. The Rockets are also on leg one of a back-to-back, and Westbrook is either going to sit tonight or tomorrow.

Oddsmakers are expecting the defenses to "pregame" in the Wizards / Timberwolves matchup, as they've set the betting total at 240. Washington has allowed at least 120 points in 5 of their last 7 and Minnesota runs the league's fastest pace (112.5 possessions per game).

Mike Conley ($6,400) hasn't had much of a ceiling this season but he is back in Memphis tonight in a 🎉Welcome Back Game 🎉. Kristaps Porzingis had an average game in his trip back to Madison Square Garden last night, can Conley approach 40+ fantasy points for the first time this month?

The Celtics had 7 players score in double figures Wednesday when they dropped 140 on Washington. Does that diversity hurt DFS chances or offer opportunities to find value against Golden State's league-worst squad in defensive efficiency?

Guards

James Harden (DK: $12,300 FD: $12,500 Y! $57)

Houston is leg one of a back-to-back and the plan is for Russell Westbrook to sit either tonight vs. the Pacers or tomorrow night at Minnesota. Obviously James Harden's usage goes up in whatever game Westbrook is out but he should have value tonight regardless because of all the Houston injuries. Harden has scored 39+ 'real game' points in 4 of the last 5 which has put him at 70+ fantasy point in each of those. It's a 60 fantasy point minimum tonight with hopes for an 80.

Marcus Smart (DK: $5,900 FD: $6,500 Y! $19)

Boston plays game two without Gordon Hayward tonight and Marcus Smart was a big benefactor Wednesday. Smart went 6-12 from the field with 5 assists and 4 rebounds for a 36 point fantasy night. It was the most field goal attempts Smart had gotten in the last six games. Granted, that was a 140 point output for Boston against Washington's second-worst defense in the league. Smart is still a viable play tonight though, as Boston is matched up with the league's worst defense in Golden State. Smart gets an 8 point fp boost with Hayward out, as well as with some of the other GTD's Boston is facing tonight (Daniel Theis, Robert Williams).

Jarrett Culver (DK: $4500 FD: $4400 Y! $11)

The betting total in tonight's Washington at Minnesota game is a whopping 240. The T'Wolves have an implied 123 points which bodes well for their PG Jarrett Culver. The rookie has moved into the starting point guard spot and has been in a perfect lineup in 3 of the past 5 games. That production could take a hit as Jeff Teague's ($5300) return from illness was impressive as he had an 18 point, 6 assist night on Wednesday vs. the Spurs. A lot of T'Wolves players have value tonight though vs. a Wizards defense that is 2nd worst in the league in defensive efficiency and has given up 159 to Houston and 140 to Boston in the last two weeks. Minnesota runs the fastest pace in the NBA so there should be plenty of opportunities tonight.

🏀👍 Other Likes  / Dislikes 👍🏀

Mike Conley ($6,400) doesn't have a bad price for being back in Memphis for a 🚨Revenge Game 🚨 against his former team the Grizzlies. Kemba Walker ($8200) has at least 45 fantasy points in 7 of 8 games and is up against the Warriors #30 ranked defense. Evan Fournier ($5100) has a chance for 40+ fp up against a Spurs defense that has allowed 135, 113, and 129 points the last three.

Forwards

TJ Warren (DK: $6,000 FD: $6,400 Y!: $23)

Jeremy Lamb remains out for the Pacers, which gives TJ Warren even more value tonight. Indiana is up against the hobbled and wobbly Rockets who take a huge rebounding hit with Clint Capela out of the lineup. Warren has at least 14 field goal attempts in the last six. The Pacers also earned their team name with a get a great PACE boost against Houston's top 5 squad in possessions per game. The Rockets are not only banged up, they are on the first night of a back-to-back so Warren should have favorable depth chart matchups here.

Ben McLemore (DK: $3,800 FD: $3,500 Y!: $10)

James Harden can't score all the points for Houston tonight...can he? Nobody "Can't Hold Us" from taking Ben McLemore tonight as he's about to be reminded of the "Good Old Days" at the University of Kansas. McLemore should be able to 'pop some tags' with his best usage of the season as the Rockets have literally half their roster on the injury report and need to preserve some of the other bodies for another game tomorrow night. McLemore had his second most minutes of the season Wednesday with 23 which should boost to 30+ tonight. A great GPP option here, especially with ownership low because of the matchup with Indiana's top 10 defense and top 10 slowest pace.

Bogdan Bogdanovic (DK: $6700 FD: $6900 Y! $22)

His price is on the incline but Bogdan Bogdanovic looked good in the Kings first game without De'Aaron Fox on Tuesday. Bogdanovic went 8 of 19 from the floor and added 10 assists in 32 minutes en route to a 53 point fantasy night. The Kings actually get a pace increase vs. the Lakers tonight even though Bodgdanovic's rebound potential takes a bit of a hit with Anthony Davis set to return for LA. Either way, there are a lot of touches available for Sacramento without Fox in the lineup and Bogdanovic got his in game one. He's worth the price to see if that trend continues.

🏀👍👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍👍🏀

Kyle Kuzma ($5600) still has value at that price but he could see his 30+ fantasy point streak come to an end with Anthony Davis possibly back for the Lakers. P.J. Tucker ($4500) could also see a lot more rebound opportunities with Capela (had 20+ boards in three straight) out of the lineup. Blake Griffin ($7100) had 19/7/6 in just 24 minutes in his season debut on Monday. Do we see a minutes increase with the last 3 nights off?

Center

Enes Kanter (DK: $4,900, FD; $5,200 Y!:$14 )

Got to find value at the center spot tonight and Enes Kanter looks like a good candidate to provide just that. The Celtics are not only thin in the front court with Daniel Theis and Robert Williams listed as a game time decision, Kanter has a matchup with the Warriors defense who has been getting destroyed down low. Golden State has allowed 50 point fantasy nights to Javale McGee and Rudy Gobert in their last two games and Kanter should be ready for more minutes in his 3rd game back from injury. Throw in all the political stuff from the offseason with the Warriors and China and Kanter should be motivated for a productive night.

🏀👍 Other Likes / Dislikes 👍🏀

We've got a 🎁Birthday Game 🎁for Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,000) tonight vs. Washington. The betting total on this game is sky high at 240 so you know Towns is going to get his share of those.

It's been an action packed NBA week that continues next week with 9 games upcoming on Monday. Have a great and profitable weekend, make sure to check out that LineStar chat frequently for some valuable insight and angles from fellow DFS aficionados. You can also follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk.

Freeroll

The NBA freeroll contests will take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on DraftKings:

Here's a link for today's freeroll contest - good luck!

1st Place: Your Choice: One month LineStar premium membership, a LineStar T-Shirt or $10 via PayPal.

Bonus: If you place 1st in the LineStar Freeroll and you are using the LineStar avatar below, you can choose 2 prizes.

Please Note: While you may enter the LineStar freeroll as often as you’d like, you can only win a prize 1 time.

Winners: DM us on Twitter with a screenshot of your win to claim your prize.

🔥 SuperDraft Multiplier Must-Play

Today's SuperDraft multiplier must-play is James Harden. The matchup isn't great vs. the Pacers defense but the Rockets are so banged up Harden may take 40 shots tonight.

🚨 Bonus: Get 3 Free Months of LineStar Premium

Get 3-months of LineStar Premium for new users to SuperDraft who deposit/play $10!

Terms: Partnership offers do NOT renew. See SuperDraft landing page for full terms and conditions. Must be a new user to SuperDraft and deposit and play a minimum of $10 to qualify. If you have an existing LineStar Premium subscription you get a Hat/Tee/Pen combo instead of the 3-months.