This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defenses to Avoid
Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets
The Jazz, with Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors healthy, are arguably the best defense in the NBA. They are strong across the board, ranking 11th against point guards, first against shooting guards, 11th against small forwards, third against power forwards and fourth against centers.
Offense to Use
Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers
There are some good offensive matchups Tuesday, with both the Pelicans at Wizards and the Kings at Nuggets games likely to produce fireworks. But the Magic have a great matchup at Philly, which ranks 19th against point guards, 21st against shooting guards, 22nd against small forwards, last against power forwards and 24th against centers. The Magic have several reasonably priced players who are hot and should have good games Tuesday.
Teams on Back-to-Backs
First game: Nuggets, 76ers, Kings, Wizards
Second game: None
Recommendations
Point Guard
Jrue Holiday, NO at WAS ($7,400): Holiday has quietly produced like a superstar lately, as the rest of the Pelicans backcourt has fallen away due to injury. In the two games since the All-Star break, Holiday is averaging 22 points, 10.5 assists, five boards and two steals per game. On Tuesday he has a solid matchup against a Wizards team that is only average at defending point guards.
Other suggestions: Ish Smith, PHI vs. ORL ($6,900), Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN vs. SAC ($5,900)
Shooting Guard
Evan Fournier, ORL at PHI ($5,800): Fournier has continued to hold onto the starting gig and produce for the Magic. He scored 23 points in 34 minutes in his last outing, and would have played more minutes if he weren't in foul trouble. Overall, he is averaging 16 points, 5.0 assists and 3.5 boards in two games since the All-Star break.
Other suggestions: Rodney Hood, UTA vs. HOU ($6,000), Will Barton, DEN vs. SAC ($5,800)
Small Forward
Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. HOU ($7,000): Hayward has an excellent Tuesday matchup against a Rockets defense that ranks last in production allowed to opposing small forwards. He has been very consistent lately, with six straight games between 32.5 and 39.75 fantasy points scored.
Other suggestions: Rudy Gay, SAC at DEN ($6,700), Robert Covington, PHI vs ORL ($5,500)
Power forward
Aaron Gordon, ORL at PHI ($6,300): Gordon, like Fournier, took over a larger part of the Magic offense when Tobias Harris was injured and subsequently traded, and he has maintained that role thus far in the new regime. He has produced 31.5 to 46.75 fantasy points in five straight games, and has a great matchup against a poor 76ers defense.
Other suggestions: Thaddeus Young, BKN at POR ($6,800), Nerlens Noel, PHI vs. ORL ($6,500)
Center
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. NO ($6,600): Gortat has been a monster in his three games since the All-Star break, averaging 17 points with 10.7 boards, 2.3 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals for nearly 40 fantasy points per game. On Tuesday, he faces a Pelicans defense that has been one of the worst against centers all season.
Other suggestions: Nikola Vucevic, ORL at PHI ($7,400), Nikola Jokic, DEN vs SAC ($5,600)
Injury Report
Out
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN (ankle)
Jameer Nelson, DEN (wrist)
Donatas Motiejunas, HOU (back)
Eric Gordon, NOP (finger)
GTD
Marcus Thornton, HOU (reverse trade)
Josh Smith, HOU (calf)
Omer Asik, NOP (ankle)
Rajon Rondo, SAC (toe)
Ben McLemore, SAC (wrist)
Alec Burks, UTA (ankle)
Gary Neal, WAS (knee)
Alan Anderson, WAS (ankle)
