This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
The Celtics are the No. 2 defense in the NBA per possession, though they do play at a fast enough pace (98.4 possessions per game, fourth-fastest) to somewhat mitigate the volume opportunities. Even so, they are second in the NBA in opponent turnover percentage and sixth in EFG% allowed, which means their opponents struggle with efficiency. On a per-position basis, the Celtics are very good on the perimeter (fifth, eighth and 13th at defending opposing point guards, shooting guards and small forwards, respectively) but weaker on the inside (22nd against power forwards, 24th against centers). So while this might not be the best day for Knicks guards, it could be a good day to look at Kristaps Porzingis.
Offenses to Use:
Portland Trail Blazers at Sacramento Kings
There are a plethora of bad defenses going Sunday, with the Lakers and Nuggets offering good opportunities to the Grizzlies and the Thunder, respectively. However, in both of those matchups the much better team is playing at home, which leads to potential blowout opportunities. It is less likely that the Kings-Trail Blazers game is a blowout, which would give the Portland starters chances all game long to exploit the porous Kings defense that is 22nd against opposing point guards, last against shooting guards, 19th against small forwards, 18th against power forwards and 17th against centers.
Team on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Lakers, Kings
Second game: Celtics, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Knicks, Trail Blazers
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Mike Conley, MEM vs. LAL ($6,200): Conley has been playing well of late, averaging 33.9 fantasy points per game over his last six, including 43.0 on Saturday against the Hornets. He next faces a terrible Lakers perimeter defense that ranks 28th in the NBA against point guards.
Other suggestions: Darren Collison, SAC vs. POR ($4,800), Lou Williams, LAL vs. MEM ($5,200)
Shooting Guard
C.J. McCollum, POR at SAC ($7,200): McCollum has been playing well in a slightly larger role with Damian Lillard ailing with plantar fasciitis. Lillard may play Sunday, but even if he does, McCollum would be a strong play against a Kings defense that is last in the NBA against shooting guards.
Other suggestions: Avery Bradley, BOS vs. NY ($5,100), Allen Crabbe, POR at SAC ($4,600)
Small Forward
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at SAC ($5,100): Aminu is a consistent player at a reasonable price. He averages 25.0 fantasy points per game for the season and 25.0 per game over his last four. On Sunday, he faces a Kings defense that is 19th against small forwards.
Other suggestions: Matt Barnes, MEM vs. LAL ($5,800), Jae Crowder, BOS vs. NY ($6,000)
Power Forward
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. POR ($9,900): Cousins is the highest-priced power forward but he's worth the money. Kristaps Porzingis almost got the call for his good matchup against an undersized Celtics frontline, but Cousins has an even better one against a weak Trail Blazers defensive frontline (28th in the NBA at defending opposing power forwards, 19th against opposing centers). Cousins also has at least 43.5 fantasy points in seven straight games, including 51.5 on Wednesday.
Other suggestions: Kristaps Porzingis, NY at BOS ($7,400), Julius Randle, LAL at MEM ($5,600)
Center
Mason Plumlee, POR at SAC ($5,300): Plumlee has played very well of late, with two double-doubles and three double-digit rebound efforts in his last three games. He averaged 35 fantasy points per game over that three-game stretch and now faces a below-average Kings defense that is 17th in the NBA at limiting production to opposing centers.
Other suggestions: Marc Gasol, MEM vs. LAL ($7,300), Jared Sullinger, BOS vs. NY ($5,800)
Injury Report
Out
Marcus Smart, BOS (leg)
David Lee, BOS (back)
Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN (ankle)
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN (knee)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Lou Amundson, NY (back)
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC (finger)
Eric Moreland, SAC (foot)
Game-Time Decision
Danilo Gallinari, DEN (ankle)
Ryan Kelly, LAL (neck)
Damian Lillard, POR (foot)
Ed Davis, POR (ankle)
