Daily Games Cheat Sheet: Friday

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Updated on December 26, 2014 7:38AM EST

TEAM ANALYSIS

Defenses to Avoid
Indiana Pacers at Detroit Pistons: It's hard to know exactly what the Pistons will look like without Josh Smith, but he was a playmaker for them despite all his shooting woes. It's possible that the Pistons make a quantum leap forward, and I expect they'll be better off in the long run post-Smith, but against a defense with the potential of Indiana, I'll pass.

Offenses to Use
Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks: Normally, I would be avoiding the Mavericks for the simple fact that they are breaking in a new point guard. However, on Friday versus the Lakers, everybody is in play due to the ineptitude of the Lakers defensively and the tired legs stemming from the second night of a back-to-back. Deploy Mavericks in your lineups if there was any doubt.

First game of a back-to-back:: Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves

Second game of a back-to-back: Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder

DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Rajon Rondo, PG, DAL ($7,900): Rondo is still adjusting to his new teammates, but is still a solid play due to his matchup here. As a player not really dependent on points for his DraftKings score, he should have a good time racking up DraftKings points against the Lakers as this squad tries to find it's footing together.

Other suggestions: Ronnie Price (at DAL), Reggie Jackson (vs. CHA)

Shooting Guard
Kyle Korver, SG, ($5,200): Against bad defenses, Korver is typically money because he is free to contribute strongly in other categories besides his lights-out three-point shooting. However, at this price, Korver is a bargain due to his matchup as well as the fact that he's been playing solid basketball (at least 25 DraftKings points in his last three games).

Other suggestions: Ben McLemore (vs. PHX), Wesley Matthews (vs. PHI)

Small Forward
Wilson Chandler, SF, DEN ($5,800): The Timberwolves are one of the worst defenses in the league, and Chandler is one of the primary scorers for their opponent, the Nuggets, on Friday. Chandler is playing heavy minutes, and comes at a discount because of his recent mini-slump (despite 20.3 DraftKings points in his last game). He's a potential value play with upside here.

Other suggestions: K.J. McDaniels (at POR), Chase Budinger (at DEN)

Power Forward
Serge Ibaka, PF, OKC ($6,800): Ibaka is a favorite play of mine, and now that he's putting up stat lines that net him upward of 35 DraftKings points, that favoritism has only increased. The Hornets are playing better than they were earlier in the season, but not enough to get me to lay off a potential double-double player who can contribute threes and blocks.

Other suggestions: David West (at DET), Ersan Ilyasova (at ATL)

Center
DeMarcus Cousins, C, SAC ($10,700): Cousins is the highest priced center on the board, but he may be worth shelling out the extra cash for on Friday. He gets to take on the small ball Suns, and he's ripped off totals of 48.8, 60, and 44 DraftKings points since returning from injury.

Other suggestions: Tyson Chandler (vs. LAL)

INJURY REPORT

Out
Ricky Rubio (ankle)
Lance Stephenson (pelvis)
Kevin Martin (wrist)
Eric Gordon (shoulder)
Randy Foye (quad)
Kevin Durant (ankle)
Kawhi Leonard (hand)
Danilo Gallinari (knee)
Terrence Jones (leg)
John Henson (back)
Robin Lopez (hand)
Nikola Pekovic (leg/hand)
Anderson Varejao (Achilles)

Game-Time Decision
Kyrie Irving (knee) is questionable.
Patrick Beverley (illness) is questionable.
Tony Wroten (knee) is questionable.
James Harden (hamstring) is probable.
Kobe Bryant (rest) should be considered questionable.
Nicolas Batum (wrist) is questionable.
Zach Randolph (knee) is questionable.
Boris Diaw (illness) is questionable.
Darrell Arthur (leg) is questionable.
Al Jefferson (groin) is probable.
Dwight Howard (shoulder) is probable.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.