This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defenses to Avoid:
Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Raptors are quietly playing some of the best defense in the NBA, ranking fourth in points allowed while being 25th in pace. On Friday, they get to play a struggling Bucks offense that ranks 29th in scoring and dead-last in rebounding. The pace has play at the second-slowest pace. With all these pace numbers so low, the Bucks may only get about 70 shots, which limits their fantasy upside, especially with their poor rebounding. Toronto is an eight-point favorite and they should have no problem holding the Bucks below 100 points. The Spurs' and Pistons' defenses are worth avoiding as well, as they face two of the worst offenses in the NBA in the Lakers and 76ers, respectively.
Offenses to Use:
Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans
Using offenses against the Pelicans is always a wise decision, but especially when it's a fast-paced one. The Wizards get the fortunate gift of playing New Orleans on Friday. The Wizards rank fourth in pace and have scored at least 103 points in their last five games. That good form should only improve against a defense like the Pelicans, as New Orleans ranks last in points allowed, while the 216-point total for this game is one of the highest of the season. The Suns and Nuggets are also underrated offenses to use, as they host two poor defenses in what could be high-paced games.
Teams in Back-to-Back Sets:
First game: Bucks, Celtics, Hornets, Lakers, Pacers, Pelicans, Pistons, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Warriors, Wizards
Second game: 76ers, Thunder
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard:
John Wall, WSH at NOP ($9,100): Over his last six games, Wall is averaging 27.7 points, 9.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals, which is over over 50 fantasy points per game, absurd value for a $9,000-player. The icing on the cake is the matchup, as he faces a Pelicans team that ranks as the worst defense in the NBA and one of the three worst defenses against point guards this season.
Other Suggestions:Damian Lillard, POR at PHX ($8,800); Reggie Jackson, DET at PHI ($7,300); Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN vs. MIN ($5,600)
Shooting Guard:
Tyreke Evans, NOP vs. WSH ($6,900): Evans had a stinker in his last game, but he's been fantastic aside from that. That dud came against the Celtics in a game when the Pelicans rested their starters for a majority of the second half because of the blowout. In his first three games back from injury, Evans was averaging just shy of 40 fantasy points per game and controlling the offense. What is so enticing here is that the Wizards rank as the worst defense against shooting guards This is expected to be the highest-scoring game of the night and if that's the case, Evans and Wall could be in for huge nights.
Other Suggestions:Eric Bledsoe, PHX vs. POR ($8,300); Dwyane Wade, MIA at IND ($7,000); Danny Green, SAN vs. LAL ($3,900)
Small Forward:
Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs. MIN ($6,900): Gallinari has very consistent this season, averaging 32 fantasy points per game, including at least 25 in 10 straight. This is expected to be a tight game, as the Timberwolves come in as a one-point favorite, which should mean plenty of minutes for Gallinari. He should also have some success against a Minnesota defense that allows about 20 points and 10 rebounds per game to small forwards this season.
Other Suggestions:Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. OKC ($7,000); Otto Porter, WSH at NOP ($5,900); P.J. Tucker, PHX vs. POR ($3,900)
Power Forward:
Derrick Favors, UTA vs. OKC ($7,900): Favors has taken over as the only major frontcourt threat in Utah because of the injury to Rudy Gobert, and he's clearly reaping the rewards. Since the injury, he hasn't scored below 30 fantasy points and has been averaging about 40 per game over his last six. Favors would have easily surpassed 40 fantasy points in his last game if the Jazz didn't blow the Knicks out Wednesday, holding Favors to just 28 minutes. His opponent on Friday is the Thunder, who allow 23.3 points per game to power forwards, which ranks third-worst in the NBA.
Other Suggestions:Chris Bosh, MIA at IND ($7,200); Zach Randolph, MEM vs. CHA ($6,300); Kenneth Faried, DEN vs. MIN ($5,900)
Center:
Marcin Gortat, WSH at NOP ($6,000): Gortat has scored at least 34 fantasy points in six of his last seven games, with the one dud coming against a stifling Celtics defense. What's even better is that he is averaging over 33 minutes per game in that span with all the injuries in the Wizards' frontcourt. On Friday, he gets to face the worst defense in the NBA that also ranks 27th in defending opposing centers.
Other Suggestions:Marc Gasol, MEM vs. CHA ($7,400); Alex Len, PHX vs. POR ($5,000)
Injury Report:
Out:
Marcus Smart – BOS (knee)
Al Jefferson – CHA (calf)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - CHA (shoulder)
Wilson Chandler – DEN (hip)
Jusuf Nurkic – DEN (knee)
Brandon Jennings – DET (knee)
Jodie Meeks – DET (back)
Harrison Barnes – GS (ankle)
Myles Turner – IND (hand)
Kendrick Perkins – NOP (pectoral)
Norris Cole – NOP (ankle)
Quincy Pondexter – NOP (knee)
Jonas Valanciunas – TOR (hand)
Rudy Gobert – UTA (knee)
Game-Time Decision:
Kyrie Irving – CLE (knee)
J.R. Smith – CLE (illness)
Charlie Villanueva – DAL (foot)
Chandler Parsons – DAL (legs)
Darrell Arthur – DEN (knee)
Gary Harris- DEN (concussion)
Klay Thompson – GS (ankle)
Trevor Ariza – HOU (back)
Jordan Clarkson – LAL (ankle)
Brandan Wright – MEM (knee)
Hassan Whiteside – MIA (ankle)
Luol Deng – MIA (hamstring)
Greivis Vasquez – MIL (ankle)
Jerryd Bayless - MIL(ankle)
Nemanja Bjelica – MIN (knee)
Kevin Martin- MIN (wrist)
Omer Asik – NOP (calf)
Jrue Holiday – NOP (legs)
C.J. Watson – ORL (calf)
Tyson Chandler – PHX (illness)
Markieff Morris – PHX (illness/doghouse)
DeMarre Carroll – TOR (knee)
Nene Hilario – WSH (calf)
Kris Humphries – WSH (ankle)
Drew Gooden – WSH (calf)
