This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets
The Heat have been one of the top-three defenses all season and should be able to have success again Friday. What makes them so frustrating is their snail-like pace, as they rank as the second-slowest team in the NBA. The Nuggets rank in the bottom-10 in pace and that should make this a groggy game between two teams that prefer to play slowly. Denver also ranks in the bottom-seven in points scored, effective field goal percentage and offensive efficiency. This is simply a different offense under Mike Malone than in years past ,and while they play harder, the offense is simply ugly. I would steer clear of every Nuggets player beside from Danilo Gallinari, who is one of the hottest small forwards in the NBA right now.
Offenses to Use
Brooklyn Nets vs. Portland Trail Blazers
This may look like a bizarre pick, but there are a lot of reasons to like the Nets on Friday. There have been numerous lineup changes lately and that opens the door for DFS gold. Near minimum priced players like Donald Sloan and Wayne Ellington are now getting a full complement of minutes and that makes for a solid return on investment. Additionally, the Nets face a Portland team that has given up well over 105 points per game with Damian Lillard in the lineup. They also come in as just a three-point underdog, so there shouldn't be much blowout potential. The Hornets-Pelicans game is also a good source for fantasy production, as they are two of the worst defenses in the NBA.
Teams on Back-to-Back Sets:
First Game: Bucks, Celtics, Hawks, Hornets, Nets, Timberwolves, Wizards
Second Game: Bulls, Cavaliers
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Donald Sloan, BKN vs. POR ($4,000): Sloan has taken over the starting point guard duties since Brooklyn switched coaches and has played at least 23 minutes in three consecutive games, averaging over 21 fantasy points per game. That alone makes him intriguing, but the matchup is too tasty to pass up, as Sloan gets to face off against Damian Lillard, who is one of the worst defensive point guards in the NBA.
Other Suggestions: Kemba Walker, CHA at NOP ($8,200); Norris Cole, NOP vs. CHA ($4,200)
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade, MIA at DEN ($6,800): The Flash is always a good option for DFS, but his prospects have gotten even better recently. The Heat lost their starting point guard, which has increased Wade's already high usage rate. Outside of a 3-for-17 shooting performance against the Utah Jazz in the second half of a back-to-back, Wade has been spectacular recently, averaging 38 fantasy points per game over his last five games (excluding that dud). His price is solid too, as he's $2,900 cheaper than James Harden and has a similar upside in these circumstances. The matchup is good as well, as the Nuggets are one of the worst teams in defending shooting guards this season.
Other Suggestions: Tyler Johnson, MIA at DEN ($4,200); Wayne Ellington, BKN vs. POR ($3,600)
Small Forward
Nicolas Batum, CHA at NOP ($7,300): Batum hasn't been great in his two games since returning from injury, but he's still one of the best playmakers in the NBA. He is averaging about 35 fantasy points per game and almost never puts in a dud. On Friday, he faces one of the worst defenses in the NBA, as the Pelicans have allowed the second-most points per game to small forwards this season.
Other Suggestions: Chandler Parsons, DAL at CHI ($5,400); Joe Johnson, BKN vs. POR ($5,000)
Power Forward
Drew Gooden or Nene Hilario, WSH at IND ($4,200): The Wizards' frontcourt is so injured right now that these are two of the only options available. Gooden is averaging 23 fantasy points in 27 minutes per game in the last two games, while Hilario has scored at least 23 fantasy points in roughly 23 minutes per game in that span. This is also a good matchup, as the Pacers have struggled defending big men all season.
Other Suggestions: Paul Millsap, ATL at MIL ($8,100); Nikola Mirotic, CHI vs. DAL ($6,200)
Center
Al Horford, ATL at MIL ($6,900): Horford was in his best stretch of the season until he scored just 4.5 fantasy points Wednesday against the Hornets, but it's made for good value here. His price dropped $300 and that's crazy considering how dominant he was before that. Horford has scored at least 43 fantasy points in five of his previous seven games and was averaging 44 fantasy points per game in that span. It's silly to give up on a guy after one game and this is the perfect opportunity for him to bounce back in a fantastic matchup. The Bucks are the worst defense based on fantasy points allowed to centers over their last five, allowing over 60 fantasy points per game.
Other Suggestions: Greg Monroe, MIL vs. ATL ($6,900); Tyson Chandler, PHX at BOS ($4,100)
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)
Wilson Chandler – DEN (hip)
Jodie Meeks – DET (back)
Donatas Motiejunas – HOU (back)
Goran Dragic – MIA (calf)
Greivis Vasquez – MIL (ankle)
Kendrick Perkins – NOP (pectoral)
Eric Bledsoe – PHX (knee)
Kris Humphries – WSH (knee)
Marcin Gortat – WSH (knee)
Game-Time Decision
Thabo Sefolosha – ATL (wrist)
Jeremy Lamb – CHA (toe)
Derrick Rose – CHI (knee)
Pau Gasol – CHI (achilles/shoulder)
Mo Williams – CLE (personal)
Zaza Pachulia – DAL (Achilles)
Deron Williams – DAL (elbow)
Devin Harris – DAL (foot)
Jusuf Nurkic – DEN (ankle)
Patrick Beverley – HOU (personal)
Josh McRoberts – MIA (knee)
Jerryd Bayless – MIL(ankle)
O.J. Mayo – MIL (hamstring)
Tyreke Evans – NOP (knee)
Carmelo Anthony – NYK (ankle)
Markieff Morris – PHX (doghouse)
Brandon Knight – PHX (illness)
Alex Len – PHX (hand)
Drew Gooden – WSH (calf)
Otto Porter – WSH (hip)
