This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Memphis Grizzlies at Milwaukee Bucks: To put it as simply as possible, the Grizzlies are incredibly good defensively (91.6 points allowed on average per 100 possessions), while the Bucks don't exactly light up the scoreboard. Milwaukee has the fifth worst offensive rating at 96.5 points per offensive possession. This is just a bad matchup for the Bucks offensively, and while we've seen Brandon Knight light it up for daily fantasy players recently, this may not be the best night to use him. If his price doesn't skyrocket, then he'll likely be one of the few Bucks that you'll want to consider using.
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls: Much to the surprise of, well, no one, the Bulls are very, very good on the defensive side of the ball. Tom Thibodeau has always coached hard-nosed defensive teams, and this year is no different, as the team has a solid defensive rating of 101.1 (allowing 101.1 points per 100 possessions). The Celtics just don't have a ton of players who you really want to target consistently in daily games, with the exception being Rajon Rondo (out Saturday) and possibly Jeff Green (with hopes that he avoids that random dud game that pops up from time to time). This is just a team who likes to try to push the ball (99.97 possessions per 48 minutes), but are going up against a defense, at home, who loves to slow it down (95.01 possessions per 48 minutes).
Offenses to Use
Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers: The Blazers have an offensive rating of 107 points per 100 possessions. Their net offensive rating is also 10.8, meaning that they're getting it done on the defensive side of the ball also. This team could have a few players putting up big numbers Saturday against a Clippers defense that has a rating of 106.5, which is good for eighth worst in the NBA. The Blazers not only have big names like Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, but also have multiple other role players who can contribute in big ways.
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls: I hate to keep attacking the Celtics, but…sorry. The Bulls should have a big night on offense with their 109.1 offensive rating, and they're up against a Celtics team with a 107.3 defensive rating. Basically, the Bulls have very few issues scoring the ball, while the Celtics aren't having a very good season defensively. The Celtics have a net rating of -1.1, which likely explains their slow start to the year.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors
Second game of a back-to-back: Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
John Wall, PG, WAS ($9,600): Yes, you have to pay the hefty price tag, but Wall should be in for a huge night against the Indiana Pacers. This Pacers' team isn't the lockdown defense that we've seen in recent years, but they aren't bad based on the numbers (defensive rating of 99.2). The problem is, they struggle guarding point guards (allowing 30 points per game and nine assists per game to them). We also just saw Wall absolutely torch the Pacers on Wednesday night, scoring 61 fantasy points on DraftKings. I won't guarantee 61 points again, but he'll be worth his price tag Saturday.
Other suggestions: Jrue Holiday (at SA), Isaiah Canaan (vs. GS), Mo Williams (at MIA)
Shooting Guard
Jimmy Butler, SG, CHI ($5,400): I really wanted to put Kevin Martin in this spot, but when you get a guy like Jimmy Butler who's even less expensive than Martin, you have to roll with it. The Celtics are one of the teams we're targeting Saturday, and Butler has put up big numbers in his recent games. It hasn't mattered if Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah have been in the lineup or not, because Butler is just turning into an incredibly consistent shooting guard. The Celtics play with a high pace (101.5 possessions per 48 minutes), which should lead to plenty of scoring from these teams, and the C's allow an average of 28 points per game to shooting guards, as well as 6.75 assists and 5.75 rebounds. Butler should fill up the stat sheet.
Other suggestions: Klay Thompson (at HOU), Kevin Martin (vs. BOS), Courtney Lee (at ATL)
Small Forward
Draymond Green, SF, GS ($5,700): Green has been absolutely great since getting the minutes. Coach Steve Kerr has said that he has no interest in changing his lineup, which means great things for Green. The Warriors are taking on the Rockets, which makes for a solid matchup on a night where there aren't a ton of great small forward options. I expect Green to have another strong game, and there's great value here with his price tag as well.
Other suggestions: Carmelo Anthony (at ATL), Luol Deng (vs. Min)
Power Forward
Paul Millsap, PF, ATL ($7,700): Millsap has a great matchup here with a Knicks team who is giving up the 26.4 points per game to power forwards on the year, along with 16.8 rebounds per game. Millsap, in his own right, has been doing a little bit of everything for the Hawks this season. Atlanta plays with a solid pace at 97.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and they have a solid offensive rating of 101.8. Millsap should have a big night against the Knicks' big men.
Other suggestions: Pau Gasol (vs. BOS), Amare Stoudemire (at ATL)
Center
Marc Gasol, C, MEM ($7,800): While many players are going to spend top dollar on Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, the player to grab Saturday may be Gasol. He's going against a Bucks defense that struggles mightily against centers, allowing an average of 14 rebounds per game, to go along with 27.5 points per game. He's less expensive than both Howard and Bosh, but if you're looking for a player even less expensive than this, see the other options below.
Other suggestions: Roy Hibbert (vs. WAS), Marcin Gortat (at IND)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Pablo Prigioni (ankle)
Ricky Rubio (ankle)
Terrence Jones (leg)
Patrick Beverley (hamstring)
Tiago Splitter (calf)
David Lee (hamstring)
David West (ankle)
George Hill (knee)
Rajon Rondo (hand)
Marcus Smart (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
Chris Andersen (ribs)
Aaron Brooks Brooks tweaked his right ankle in Friday's game, but said he is hopeful he will be able to play Saturday.
