This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Spurs have long had one of the better overall defenses in the NBA, and they are ultra elite at guarding several positions. In DraftKings contests this season, the Spurs rank 10th in limiting production to opposing point guards, first against opposing shooting guards, first against opposing small forwards, and second against opposing power forwards. They are only 18th against opposing centers, so Zaza Pachulia has a decent matchup, but beyond that, the production of every other starter on the Mavericks could be limited.
Offenses to Use
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
The Lakers' and Rockets' defenses are both very friendly to opposing offenses at just about every position. Los Angeles ranks 28th in the league at minimizing production to opposing point guards, 12th against shooting guards, 22nd against small forwards, and 29th against centers. Meanwhile, the Rockets are even friendlier across the board, ranking 23rd against point guards, 21st against shooting guards, dead last against small forwards, 19th against power forwards, and 17th against centers. If the game doesn't become a blowout -- which the Rockets don't seem to be playing well enough to achieve -- then there should be lots of offensive production on each side.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Mavericks, Rockets
Second game: Lakers
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. PHO ($6,700): Rubio has been hit or miss lately, but if you look closer, the "misses" have all been against the Thunder, who have held him to an average of 16.3 DraftKings points in two games last week. In his other eight most recent games against everyone else, Rubio has averaged 34.2 points. Rubio should benefit from one of the better matchups of the day, as the Suns are dead last in the NBA at production allowed to opposing point guards.
Other suggestions: Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. HOU ($5,800); Tony Parker, SAN vs. DAL ($5,500)
Shooting Guard
Will Barton, DEN vs. IND ($6,000): Barton was a certified impact player for much of December while Danilo Gallinari was injured, but he's hit a slump since Gallinari's return. However, Barton has shown signs of breaking out lately, averaging 15 points with seven boards and 2.5 assists in his last two games against two solid defenses in the Heat and the Warriors. On Sunday, he faces a Pacers defense that ranks 24th in limiting production to opposing shooting guards.
Other suggestions: Lou Williams, LAL vs. HOU ($6,400); Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. PHO ($6,600)
Small Forward
Kevin Durant, OKC vs. MIA ($9,700): Durant is the highest-priced small forward, but of all the elite players taking the court Sunday, he has the best matchup. He'll face a Heat defense that ranks 26th in limiting production to opposing small forwards, while other elite small forward options either have difficult matchups (Kawhi Leonard, who will face the Mavericks) or are battling injury (Paul George, who was bothered by a sore knee after Friday's game).
Other suggestions: Shabazz Muhammad, MIN vs. PHO ($4,200); Trevor Ariza, HOU at LAL ($5,200)
Power Forward
Darrell Arthur, DEN vs. IND ($4,700): Arthur has moved into the starting lineup for the Nuggets in place of Nikola Jokic, and has responded well to the added minutes. In his last two games, he has averaged 33 DraftKings points while averaging a near double-double of 18 points and 9.5 rebounds in 29 minutes.
Other suggestions: LaMarcus Aldridge, SAN vs. DAL ($7,000); Kenneth Faried, DEN vs. IND ($5,800)
Center
Zaza Pachulia, DAL at SAN ($6,200): Pachulia has been dealing with a sore Achilles of late, but when he plays, he's a metronome in terms of production. He was back on the court Friday and was able to produce a nine-point, 10-rebound effort for 28.5 DraftKings points. In his previous nine games, Pachulia has produced between 32.75 and 38.75 DraftKings points in every game. Expect the good times to continue against the Spurs, who are allowing the 18th-most DraftKings points in the league against opposing centers.
Other suggestions: Dwight Howard, HOU at LAL ($7,700); Hassan Whiteside, MIA at OKC ($7,400)
Injury Report
Out
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN (ankle, knee)
Donatas Motiejunas, HOU (back)
Rodney Stuckey, IND (foot)
Brandon Bass, LAL (ankle)
Goran Dragic, MIA (calf)
Josh McRoberts, MIA (knee)
Chris Andersen, MIA (knee)
Ronnie Price, PHO (foot)
Alex Len, PHO (hand)
Game-Time Decision
Dwight Howard, HOU (back)
Patrick Beverley, HOU (ankle)
Paul George, IND (knee)
Kobe Bryant, LAL (Achilles)
Larry Nance, LAL (knee)
Dwyane Wade, MIA (shoulders)
Kevin Martin, MIN (illness)
