DraftKings NBA: Sunday Cheat Sheet

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Updated on January 31, 2016 1:36PM EST

Team Analysis

Defense to Avoid
Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks
This has the feel of a lower-scoring game overall. Both the Heat and Hawks are among the top eight defenses in the NBA according to team defensive rating, neither team is in the top-half in team offensive rating and the Heat play at the second-slowest pace. The Heat can be stifling defensively when Hassan Whiteside plays, but even if his oblique keeps him out, the perimeter and wing defenders will still make life difficult for the Hawks.

Offenses to Use
Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been a target opponent in DFS all season long and Sunday is no exception. They are 28th against point guards (Kemba Walker), 24th against shooting guards, 26th against small forwards (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) and 30th against opposing centers (Spencer Hawes).

Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hawks, Bulls, Mavericks, Magic
Second game: Warriors

Daily Player Recommendations

Point Guard
Kemba Walker, CHA at LAL ($8,700): Walker has been explosive this month, putting together some monster performances to earn himself an Eastern Conference Player of the Week award. He slowed a bit in his last couple of games on the road against two dominant defenses against point guards, but on Sunday he faces a Lakers defense that is 28th against the position. Plus, the Hornets have injury issues on the perimeter that could cause Walker to have more responsibility.

Other suggestions: J.J. Barea, DAL vs. PHO ($4,200); Marcus Smart, BOS at ORL ($5,200)

Shooting Guard
Archie Goodwin, PHO at DAL ($5,800): Goodwin has replaced the injured Brandon Knight at point guard for the Suns, averaging 37.7 fantasy points per game in his first three before slowing down and averaging 18.7 in his last two. However, his last two games have been at Cleveland and at New York, both of which are strong defenses against opposing point guards. On Sunday, Goodwin faces a Mavericks defense that is 25th against point guards.

Other suggestions: Lou Williams, LAL vs. CHA ($5,900); Devin Booker, PHO at DAL ($5,500)

Small Forward
Chandler Parsons, DAL vs. PHO ($6,900): Parsons has exploded of late, becoming the primary impact player for the Mavericks with consistent production. He has averaged 40.8 fantasy points per game over his last six, and on Sunday he faces a Suns defense that 24th against small forwards.

Other suggestions: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA at LAL ($3,700); Aaron Gordon, ORL vs BOS ($5,100)

Power Forward
Julius Randle, LAL vs. CHA ($6,100): Randle has come into his own of late, averaging 31.8 fantasy points per game over his last six and is coming off a 23-point, 14-rebound effort against the Clippers on Friday. On Sunday, Randle has a plus matchup against a Hornets defense that is 24th against power forwards.

Other suggestions: Draymond Green, GSW at NYK ($8,800); Bobby Portis, CHI vs. LAC ($3,900)

Center
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at POR ($7,400): Towns has been outstanding of late, with five games over 42 fantasy points in his last six outings and an average of 50.3 fantasy points per game over his last five. He even hung 32 points and 12 boards on Rudy Gobert and the Jazz in his last outing, making him a must-play until further notice.

Other suggestions: Spencer Hawes, CHA at LAL ($5,200); Mason Plumlee, POR vs. MIN ($5,500)

Injury Report

Out
Mike Dunleavy, CHI (back)
Nikola Mirotic, CHI (appendectomy)
Nicolas Batum, CHA (toe)
Cody Zeller, CHA (shoulder)
Al Jefferson, CHA (knee)
Devin Harris, DAL (toe)
Festus Ezeli, GS (knee)
Blake Griffin, LAC (hand)
Kevin Martin, MIN (wrist)
Kevin Garnett, MIN (knee)
Jose Calderon, NY (groin)
Cleanthony Early, NY (knee)
C.J. Watson, ORL (calf)
Brandon Knight, PHO (groin)
Ronnie Price, PHO (toe)

Game-Time Decision
Paul Millsap, ATL (ankle, probable)
Jimmy Butler, CHI (ankle)
Kirk Hinrich, CHI (leg)
Jeremy Lin, CHA (ankle)
Jeremy Lamb, CHA (ankle)
P.J. Hairston, CHA (elbow, probable)
James McAdoo, GS (toe)
Lou Williams, LAL (illness)
Kobe Bryant, LAL (shoulder)
Tyler Johnson, MIA (shoulder)
Hassan Whiteside, MIA (oblique)
Chris Andersen, MIA (knee)
Pat Connaughton, POR (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.