This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
Wondering if you should trust my advice? Check out my latest Trust Tracker blog post analyzing how last week's recommendations fared.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers: The Bucks have been underrated as a fantasy defense (they're also probably underrated as an NBA team, but that's not our concern). Over their last five games, they have led the league in opponent points per game and opponent field goal percentage, while allowing league average or fewer assists, steals, and blocks. They are toughest at point guard and power forward – also known as the two 76ers positions daily games players are most likely to consider using.
Offenses to Use
New York Knicks at Washington Wizards: The Wizards' last five opponents were: at the Rockets, at the Mavericks, at the Thunder, at the Spurs, at the Pelicans. The Wizards' next four opponents will be: vs the Bulls, at the Hawks, vs the Spurs, at the Bulls. Thursday's matchup against the Knicks is their only break in a two-and-a-half week span. The Wizards can win – and should win – even if they only come with well below average intensity. And, given this schedule, the Wizards might have some difficulty maintaining their normal levels of effort and focus against the lowly Knicks. Meanwhile, J.R. Smith played 36 and 37 minutes in his last two games, and with him now on the Cavaliers, those minutes are available for other players whose salaries still reflect a smaller workload.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks
Second game of a back-to-back: Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
If you've never played on DraftKings before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article. Want to play in a $50,000 daily NBA contest on DraftKings? Check it out here.
Point Guard
Trey Burke, UTA (at CHI), PG, ($5,000): Burke missed Monday's game due to strep throat, but is expected to return and to reclaim his starting role Wednesday. His one-game absence helped cut his salary by $800, creating a huge discount. Burke is a woefully inefficient shooter, but there is no punishment in DraftKings for missed field goals.
Other suggestions: Mo Williams, MIN (vs PHO), PG, ($5,000); Brandon Knight, MIL (at PHI), PG, ($7,500)
Shooting Guard
Klay Thompson, GS (vs IND), SG, ($7,000): It's been three weeks since Thompson was last this inexpensive. The Warriors routed the Thunder Monday, which contributed heavily to Thompson only playing 19 minutes – he still managed 19 points on an efficient 6-12 from the field. There is no need to worry about his role on this team, daily players should just try to make the most of his discounted price point.
Other suggestions: Victor Oladipo, ORL (at DEN), SG, ($5,800)
Small Forward
Andrew Wiggins, MIN (vs PHO), SF, ($6,400): Wiggins has scored 20 points in six of his last seven games. He's averaging almost five rebounds and just over two assists per game during that stretch. Now he gets the Suns, a strong offense that struggles defensively, especially in their backcourt.
Other suggestions: Joe Ingles, UTA (at CHI), SF, ($3,500)
Power Forward
John Henson, MIL (at PHI), PF, ($4,400): Due to foul trouble, Henson played only 11 minutes Sunday night against the Knicks. As a result, he managed only 4.25 fantasy points, and his salary dropped more than a grand. But in the games before and after, Henson averaged 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 23.5 minutes. Sunday was the fluke, and the result is a major bargain.
Other suggestions: Jared Sullinger, BOS (at BKN), PF, ($6,600)
Center
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN (vs ORL), C, ($4,900): First the bad: Nurkic has a tough matchup against Nikola Vucevic; Nurkic comes off the bench; and the Nuggets have fiddled with their big man rotation far too often to feel confident predicting anything. Then the good: By coming off the bench, Nurkic will miss much of Vucevic's court time, and see long stretches against his underwhelming backups. Nurkic has 12 blocks in his last three games, despite averaging only 22 minutes per night. He has scored double digit points and played at least twenty minutes in each of his last four games. Most importantly, Nurkic has totaled more than 30 fantasy points in each of those four games.
Other suggestions: Cole Aldrich, NY (at WAS), C, ($5,500)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Doug McDermott (knee)
Lance Stephenson (pelvis)
Al Jefferson (groin)
LeBron James (knee)
Iman Shumpert (shoulder)
Anderson Varejao (Achilles)
Randy Foye (quadriceps)
Danilo Gallinari (knee)
JaVale McGee (leg)
Brandon Rush (illness)
Terrence Jones (leg)
Paul George (leg)
George Hill (groin)
Ian Mahinmi (foot)
Wesley Johnson (hip)
Steve Nash (back)
Julius Randle (leg)
Damien Inglis (foot)
Jabari Parker (knee)
Larry Sanders (personal)
Ersan Ilyasova (concussion)
Nikola Pekovic (ankle)
Kevin Martin (wrist)
Ricky Rubio (ankle)
Carmelo Anthony (knee)
Amar'e Stoudemire (knee)
Mitch McGary (leg)
Aaron Gordon (foot)
Joel Embiid (foot)
Andrei Kirilenko (personal)
Jason Richardson (foot)
Ramon Sessions (back)
Omri Casspi (knee)
Eric Moreland (shoulder)
Alec Burks (shoulder)
Rodney Hood (heel)
Game-Time Decision
Jameer Nelson (ankle) is day-to-day.
Marcus Thornton (calf) is a day-to-day.
Deron Williams (hip) is doubtful.
Kevin Garnett (rest) is likely to play, but no announcement has yet been made.
Taj Gibson (ankle) is probable.
Derrick Rose (hip) is a game-time decision.
Mike Dunleavy (ankle) is unlikely to play.
Janero Pargo (back) is a game-time decision.
Kyrie Irving (back) is a game-time decision.
Ty Lawson (knee) is expected to play.
Andrew Bogut (knee) is a game-time decision.
Festus Ezeli (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Alexey Shved (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Kobe Bryant (rest) is probable.
Ronnie Price (face) is probable.
Zach Randolph (knee) is a game-time decision.
Chase Budinger (illness) is a game-time decision.
Robbie Hummel (illness) is a game-time decision.
Andrea Bargnani (calf) is a game-time decision.
Channing Frye (elbow) is expected to play.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (toe) is a game-time decision.
Hollis Thompson (illness) is not likely to play.
Enes Kanter (ankle) is doubtful.
Trey Burke (illness) is probable.
