This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Miami Heat at Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers are not an elite defensive team, but over their last five games, Los Angeles sports the fifth-best defensive efficiency rating in the NBA. The Heat, while not terrible by the measure of offensive efficiency rating, play at a dreadfully slow pace (90.86 possessions per 48 minutes) and have struggled to put up large point totals all season. Outside of the stars, I would tend to avoid the Heat here.
Offenses to Use
Cleveland Cavaliers at Sacramento Kings: The Cavaliers have been the fifth-worst defensive team in terms of efficiency over their last five games and are still breaking in a few new key pieces to their squad. The Kings offer high-priced (DeMarcus Cousins), lower-priced (Darren Collison), and in-between (Rudy Gay) players that could be of extra value as Cleveland continues to struggle.
First game of a back-to-back: None
Second game of a back-to-back: Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Kyrie Irving, PG, CLE ($8,900): Irving taking the court without LeBron James beside him has become a scenario that makes for big DraftKings nights for Irving. When he's been healthy, he's playing big minutes and taking plenty of shots to compliment his assortment of other statistics that he can provide. A road trip to Sacramento should be no different as he will try to deliver the Cavaliers a much-needed victory.
Other suggestions: Darren Collison (vs. CLE), Mike Conley (vs. PHX)
Shooting Guard
Ben McLemore, SG, SAC ($4,400): If you don't want to dish out the cash for a top-tier shooting guard like Eric Bledsoe, consider McLemore in his matchup against the Cavaliers. He's playing 30+ minutes a game, and at his price, all he has to do is score a little over 20 DraftKings points to have value. That should be attainable against the Cavaliers defense.
Other suggestions: Eric Bledsoe (at MEM), J.R. Smith (at SAC)
Small Forward
Tony Allen, SF, MEM ($3,800): Allen is another player that you can turn to if you are looking for a filler player that can make an excellent value play. Over the last 10 days, Allen is averaging 24.1 minutes and 21.5 DraftKings points, and at a price point of below $4,000, he looks to be a candidate to make value. With the Suns using a ton of perimeter players, Allen could see additional court time for his defensive presence, and his stats should uptick as a result.
Other suggestions: Rudy Gay (vs. CLE)
Power Forward
Nene Hilario, PF, WAS ($5,000): An alternative to the high-priced stars in the power forward pool is the suddenly hot Nene. In his last two games, he's posted over 30 DraftKings points, and while it's hard to expect that against the Hawks, a total of 25 DraftKings points would be enough to make him worth a selection. He's not playing heavy minutes, but at this price point, he's worth the risk.
Other suggestions: Markieff Morris (at MEM), Kevin Love (at SAC)
Center
Chris Kaman, C, POR ($4,700): Kaman continues to be one of the underrated options on DraftKings, and gets a plus matchup against the Lakers on Sunday. He's not playing full starter's minutes, but has his role bumped up as the Trail Blazers continue forth without Robin Lopez. Kaman scored 31.3 DraftKings points in his last contest against the Lakers this season.
Other suggestions: DeMarcus Cousins (vs. CLE), Hassan Whiteside (at LAC)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Iman Shumpert (shoulder)
LeBron James (knee, back)
Robin Lopez (hand)
Joel Freeland (shoulder)
Game-Time Decision
Damian Lillard (hip) is not expected to miss time.
Kobe Bryant (rest) will decided Sunday morning whether he'll play against Portland.
Wesley Johnson (hip) is questionable.
Shawn Marion (hip) is questionable.
