This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets
The Spurs have been the No. 1 defense in the NBA for quite a while now, mixing a stifling per-possession defensive rate with a slow pace. On a position-by-position basis, they are elite at defending opposing shooting guards (second overall), small forwards (first) and power forwards (second) while being more reasonable against point guards (19th) and centers (17th). However, the Nuggets' three best positions are shooting guard (Will Barton), small forward (Danilo Gallinari) and power forward (Kenneth Faried/Darrell Arthur), which means the Spurs are adept at taking away Denver's strengths.
Offenses to Use:
Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have been one of the worst defenses in the NBA all season, mixing a very friendly per-possession defensive rate with a fast pace. On a position-by-position basis, they are terrible at defending opposing point guards (26th overall), shooting guards (23rd) and centers (28th) while being more solid against small forwards (13th) and power forwards (10th). However, the Rockets' strongest positions are shooting guard (James Harden) and center (Dwight Howard/Clint Capela) and the Pelicans really aren't built to lock down any of the Rockets' role players, which means that their good players can explode while their role players should at least play to their expected values.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Celtics, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Knicks, Trail Blazers
Second game: Bulls, Cavaliers, Rockets, Clippers, Heat, Pelicans, Spurs
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Jeremy Lin, CHA vs MEM ($5,300): Lin has three straight solid outings, averaging 13.3 points, 5.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 treys for 27.6 fantasy points per game, which come after he had 50.75 fantasy points against the Raptors. This sums up the current iteration of Linsanity: he should be solid on a given day, with explosive potential if he has everything working.
Other suggestions: Jameer Nelson, DEN at SA ($5,600); Brandon Knight, PHO vs. PHI ($7,400)
Shooting Guard
Jimmy Butler, CHI at DAL ($7,500): Butler averaged 41.4 fantasy points per game over his last five, which is strong value for his price. While he is on the second half of a back-to-back, he is a young, high-minutes player that is playing an opponent that is weak against opposing shooting guards (20th overall).
Other suggestions: Gerald Green, MIA at ORL ($4,600); Eric Gordon, NO vs. HOU ($5,000)
Small Forward
Evan Fournier, ORL vs. MIA ($5,000): Fournier was a great value play for the first month of the season before tailing off in December, but he has returned to form of late to the tune of 16.6 points, 4.7 boards, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game over his last three.
Other suggestions: Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. MEM ($7,200); Jae Crowder, BOS at DET ($5,900)
Power Forward
Jon Leuer, PHO vs PHI ($5,500): Leuer has been solid since taking over the starting power forward slot for the Suns earlier this month, but in the last handful of games he had given up some minutes with the Suns working Markieff Morris back into the mix. However, with Morris back in the doghouse for throwing a towel at his head coach, Leuer finds himself once again with more minutes just in time to face the 76ers, one of the worst defenses in the NBA.
Other suggestions: Taj Gibson, CHI at DAL ($4,900); Paul Millsap, ATL vs. NY ($7,600)
Center
Kelly Olynyk, BOS at DET ($5,000): Olynyk has started the last two games for the Celtics in place of Amir Johnson, and he has responded with consecutive strong outings, averaging 34.25 fantasy points per game. It hasn't been announced whether Johnson, who is battling plantar fasciitis, will play Saturday, but even if he does, there should still be minutes available for Olynyk.
Other suggestions: Dwight Howard, HOU at NO ($6,600), Al Horford, ATL vs. NY ($6,200)
Injury Report
Out
Marcus Smart, BOS (leg)
Joakim Noah, CHI (shoulder)
Mike Dunleavy, CHI (back)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA (shoulder)
Al Jefferson, CHA (suspension)
Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN (ankle)
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN (knee)
Brandon Jennings, DET (Achilles)
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Myles Turner, IND (finger)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Tyler Johnson, MIA (shoulder)
Josh McRoberts, MIA (knee)
Nikola Pekovic, MIN (Achilles)
Quincy Pondexter, NO (knee)
C.J. Watson, ORL (calf)
Markieff Morris, PHO (suspension)
Rudy Gobert, UTA (knee)
Game-Time Decision
Amir Johnson, BOS (foot)
Deron Williams, DAL (hamstring)
Devin Harris, DAL (hamstring)
Jameer Nelson, DEN (illness)
Danilo Gallinari, DEN (ankle)
Austin Rivers, LAC (ankle)
Carmelo Anthony, NY (ankle)
Kyle O'Quinn, NY (ankle)
Damian Lillard, POR (foot)
