This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Indiana Pacers at Memphis Grizzlies
The Pacers are one of the best defensive teams in the league, and this game looks to be a slower pace which should further limit individual production. Position-wise, the Pacers are third at limiting opposing point guards (Mike Conley), only 28th against shooting guards (Courtney Lee), fourth against small forwards (Jeff Green), 24th against power forwards (Matt Barnes, Zach Randolph) and eighth against centers (Marc Gasol). Thus, of the main fantasy options on the Grizzlies, only role players like Lee and Barnes have decent match-ups, but they are lower potential players anyway.
Offenses to Use:
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers
On a position-by-position basis, the Lakers are 26th, 12th, 28th, seventh and 29th at defending opposing point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards and centers, respectively. Outside of a random elite mark against opposing power forwards at every other position the Thunder should be able to take advantage of their Lakers counterparts. The only risk is that the Thunder may blow the Lakers out enough to rest their starters, but other than that they should be in for good games.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: None
Second game: Bulls, Pacers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Knicks
Point Guard
Jeremy Lin, CHA at WAS ($5,000): Lin had been playing really well entering Thursday's game, scoring more than 25 fantasy points in four of six games, and then he exploded for 50.75 fantasy points. Granted, he was getting extra time with Nicolas Batum sick, but he's clearly playing at a higher level right now than his price tag reflects.
Other suggestions: Chris Paul, LAC at HOU ($7,800), Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. LAL ($10,500)
Shooting Guard
Kobe Bryant, LAL at OKC ($6,300): Bryant has scored more than 35 fantasy points in three straight games, including 50.75 last Friday. He obviously has some spring in his legs right now, as evidenced by his dunk over Clint Capella on Thursday. Producing at that level, his price tag undervalues him.
Other suggestions: Courtney Lee, MEM vs. IND ($4,500), Jordan Clarkson, LAL at OKC ($5,300)
Small Forward
Nicolas Batum, CHA at WAS ($7,500): Batum is questionable to play Saturday due to an illness that made him leave Wednesday's game early and miss Thursday's game. With the extra rest, though, the bet here is that he plays, and if he does, he'll be going up against a Wizards defense that is extremely weak defending opposing wings.
Other suggestions: Matt Barnes, MEM vs. IND ($5,300), Kevin Durant, OKC vs. LAL ($10,200)
Power Forward
Serge Ibaka, OKC vs. LAL ($6,400): There aren't any obvious power forward candidates for Saturday but Ibaka has been playing well of late, averaging 32 fantasy points per game over last three, including one game with 38.25, he has a good price for that value, and if the Thunder go small-ball at all Ibaka could get some time at center against a Lakers team that struggles significantly defending opposing centers.
Other suggestions: Julius Randle, LAL at OKC ($6,100), Kristaps Porzingis, NY vs. CHI ($7,400)
Center
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. CHA ($6,300): Gortat has been consistently strong for a while now when healthy, and he is averaging a double-double worth 33.5 fantasy points per game over the last 10.
Other suggestions: Dwight Howard, HOU vs. LAC ($7100), Ian Mahinmi, IND at MEM ($4,800)
Injury Report
Out
Mike Dunleavy, CHI (back)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA (shoulder)
Al Jefferson, CHA (calf)
Ty Lawson, HOU (suspension)
Myles Turner, IND (finger)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Alan Anderson, WAS (ankle)
Nene Hilario, WAS (calf)
Kris Humphries, WAS (ankle)
Drew Gooden, WAS (calf)
Bradley Beal, WAS (leg)
Game-Time Decision
Nicolas Batum, CHA (illness)
Tony Allen, MEM (knee)
Anthony Morrow, OKC (personal)
Otto Porter, WAS (thigh)
