This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
The Spurs are doing some incredible things on the defensive side of the ball this season. Not only do they rank first in points allowed and defensive efficiency, they also play at one of the slowest paces. They are facing a Knicks team Friday that ranks in the bottom-10 in points scored and relies on two players. San Antonio comes into this game as a 13-point favorite and if they cover that spread, the Knicks starters likely won't see a full complement of minutes, minimizing their fantasy value.
Offense to Use:
Dallas Mavericks at Milwaukee Bucks
This is the perfect scenario of an efficient offense playing a poor defense. Milwaukee has been one of the worst defenses in the NBA over the last few weeks. In fact, outside of a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee has been allowing over 120 points per game over their last five. Prior to that, they allowed at least 95 points in eight consecutive games. The Mavericks are one of the least turnover prone teams in the league and are efficient on offense. They provide a lot of value as well, with no single player costing more than $6,200 on DraftKings.
Teams on Back-to-Back Sets:
First Game: Heat, Magic, Nets, Raptors, Warriors, and Wizards
Second Game: Lakers
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard:
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. DEN ($4,600): This is the value play of the day, as there is no player on the slate as cheap as Chalmers who will play the role that he will Friday. Not only will he see a high number of minutes, he'll also be handling the ball all game. Courtney Lee and Mike Conley are both doubtful, which leaves the Grizzlies extremely thin at point guard outside of Chalmers. In the one game without those two, Chalmers played over 38 minutes and scored 52 fantasy points while flirting with a triple-double. If that's not enough, he faces a Nuggets team that allows the fifth-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season.
Other Suggestions: Goran Dragic, MIA at PHX ($5,700); Shane Larkin, BKN vs. ORL ($4,700)
Shooting Guard:
Victor Oladipo, ORL at BKN ($6,600): The Magic have been without point guards Elfrid Payton and C.J. Watson for over a week and Oladipo has been filling in well. He is now starting and handling the ball more than ever. Oladipo has scored at least 35 fantasy points in three of his last four games, while playing a ton of minutes. The matchup is attractive as well, as he faces a Brooklyn team that ranks in the bottom-five in fantasy points allowed per game to both point guards and shooting guards this season.
Other Suggestions: Dwyane Wade, MIA at PHX ($6,900); Lou Williams, LAL vs. OKC ($5,900)
Small Forward:
Otto Porter, WSH vs. TOR ($5,900): It's hard to understand why this price hasn't risen more, as Porter has really stepped up recently. Over his last five games, Porter is averaging 15.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game. The matchup isn't great, but considering he is averaging over 5x value over his last five games against good competition, that doesn't matter as much. Look for Porter to be relied on heavily once again in what's projected to be a close game between Eastern Conference foes.
Other Suggestions: Chandler Parsons, DAL at MIL ($5,800); Joe Johnson, BKN vs. ORL ($4,900)
Power Forward:
Chris Bosh, MIA at PHX ($7,900): There haven't been many power forwards playing as well as Bosh lately. Over his last eight appearances, Bosh is averaging 24.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 combined blocks and steals per game, averaging over 40 fantasy points per game in that stretch. This is a great matchup against the Suns as well, as they have one of the worst defenses in the NBA and play at a high pace.
Other Suggestions: Kenneth Faried, DEN at MEM ($6,000); Zach Randolph, MEM vs. DEN ($6,000)
Center:
Marc Gasol, MEM vs. DEN ($6,800): There are many good options at center but Gasol is due to break out and have a huge game at a great price. He has struggled in his last two games and that has brought his price to an extremely reasonable $6,800. With all the injuries the Grizzlies have right now, Gasol should be leaned on more heavily than ever to control the offense. This is also a great matchup against a Denver defense that ranks as one of the worst in the NBA.
Other Suggestions: Zaza Pachulia, DAL at MIL ($6,000); Jusuf Nurkic, DEN at MEM ($4,800)
Injury Report
Out
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – BRK (ankle)
Jarrett Jack – BRK (knee)
Al Jefferson – CHA (calf/suspension)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - CHA (shoulder)
Mike Dunleavy – CHI (back)
Joakim Noah – CHI (shoulder)
Wilson Chandler – DEN (hip)
Jodie Meeks – DET (back)
Blake Griffin – LAC (quad)
Greivis Vasquez – MIL (ankle)
Kendrick Perkins – NOP (pectoral)
Eric Bledsoe – PHX (knee)
Willie Cauley-Stein – SAC (hand)
DeMarre Carroll – TOR (knee)
Derrick Favors – UTA (back)
Alec Burks – UTA (leg)
Bradley Beal – WSH (leg)
Game-Time Decision:
Avery Bradley – BOS (hip)
Nicolas Batum – CHA - (toe)
Wesley Matthews – DAL (shoulder)
Darrell Arthur – DEN (knee)
Emmanuel Mudiay – DEN (ankle)
Stephen Curry – GS (shin)
Festus Ezeli – GS (toe)
Leandro Barbosa – GS (shoulder)
D'Angelo Russell – LAL (illness)
Courtney Lee – MEM (hip)
Mike Conley – MEM (Achilles)
Josh McRoberts – MIA (knee)
Jerryd Bayless - MIL(ankle)
C.J. Watson – ORL (calf)
Elfrid Payton (ankle)
Markieff Morris – PHX (doghouse)
Tony Parker – SAN (hip)
Rodney Hood – UTA (ankle)
Rudy Gobert – UTA (knee)
Nene Hilario – WSH (calf)
Drew Gooden – WSH (calf)
Kris Humphries – WSH (knee)
