DraftKings NBA: Saturday Cheat Sheet

Written by

Updated on January 9, 2016 11:39AM EST

Team Analysis

Defense to Avoid:
Miami Heat at Utah Jazz
The Heat defense is killer on the perimeter, and with all of their injuries the Jazz are susceptible to having their offense shut down from the outside in. By position, the Heat are first in the NBA at limiting production by opposing point guards, fifth against shooting guards, 24th against small forwards, third against power forwards and 12th against centers. Gordon Hayward has a good matchup on paper, and the Jazz may need for him to have a big game for the rest of the squad to perform.

Offenses to Use:
Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings
This prediction is predicated on DeMarcus Cousins being healthy enough to go full speed after he twisted his ankle late in Thursday's game. Because the Kings need to play well enough, at home after an off-day, to keep the Warriors engaged on the second half of a back-to-back (and on the road). If the Kings can do that, the Warriors' starters could put up some massive numbers against a friendly Kings defense that ranks 28th in production allowed to point guards, 30th to shooting guards, 16th to small forwards, 17th to power forwards and 16th to centers.

Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hornets, Clippers, 76ers, Jazz
Second game: Nets, Warriors, Heat, Magic, Raptors, Wizards

Daily Player Recommendations

Point Guard
Reggie Jackson, DET vs BKN ($7,100): Jackson's price has come down a bit since Brandon Jennings returned from injury, but he has still scored more than 35 fantasy points in three of his last five outings, including 35.5 against a tough Celtics point guard defense in his last game. On Saturday, he faces a Nets defense that ranks 27th defending point guards.

Other suggestions: Derrick Rose, CHI at ATL ($5,800); Stephen Curry, GSW at SAC ($10,500)

Shooting Guard
Klay Thompson, GSW at SAC ($8,000): As mentioned above, the Kings are last in the NBA in production allowed to shooting guards and Thompson has made at least six three-pointers in four of his last five games. That's on paper. But in memory, one can't hear "Klay Thompson against the Kings" without thinking of this magic from less than a year ago.

Other suggestions: Victor Oladipo, ORL vs. WAS ($6800); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET vs. BKN ($5,400)

Small Forward
Kent Bazemore, ATL vs. CHI ($6,400): Bazemore has stepped up and become one of the leading offensive producers for the Hawks. In his last four games he is averaging 20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 treys, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals for 34.8 fantasy points per outing. On Saturday, he faces a Bulls defense that has trouble defending opposing small forwards, ranking 28th against the position.

Other suggestions: James Johnson, TOR at PHI ($3,700); Otto Porter, WAS at ORL ($6,100)

Power Forward
Cody Zeller, CHA vs. LAC ($5,400): Zeller's price is up $400 from last week, as he continues to play well in place of the injured Al Jefferson, averaging 11.0 points, 8.4 boards and a combined 3.0 steals and blocks per game over his last five.

Other suggestions: Draymond Green, GSW at SAC ($10,000); Taj Gibson, CHI at ATL ($6,000)

Center
Al Horford, ATL vs CHI ($6,800): Horford has somehow retained his undervalued price despite scoring at least 43.5 fantasy points in three of his last four games, a stretch in which he is averaging 18.5 points, 9.0 boards, 3.8 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.6 treys and 1.0 steals for 42.5 fantasy points per game. On Saturday, Horford faces a Bulls defense that is last in the NBA in production allowed to opposing centers.

Other suggestions: Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at PHI ($5,500); Andre Drummond, DET vs. BKN ($8,900)

Injury Report

Out
Jarrett Jack, BKN (knee)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN (ankle)
Mike Dunleavy, CHI (back)
Joakim Noah, CHI (shoulder)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA (shoulder)
Al Jefferson, CHA (knee)
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Leandro Barbosa, GSW (shoulder)
Blake Griffin, LAC (quad)
Josh McRoberts, MIA (knee)
C.J. Watson, ORL (calf)
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC (finger)
DeMarre Carroll, TOR (knee)
Alec Burks, UTA (ankle)

Game-Time Decision
Nicolas Batum, CHA (toe)
Jeremy Lamb, CHA (wrist)
Elfrid Payton, ORL (ankle)
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC (ankle)
Omri Casspi, SAC (back)
Terrence Ross, TOR (back)
Derrick Favors, UTA (back)
Rodney Hood, UTA (ankle)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.