This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
Utah Jazz vs. Brooklyn Nets
This one looks like a lock, on paper. The Jazz are one of the elite defenses in the NBA, while the Nets just waived arguably their best perimeter offensive player in Joe Johnson. The two best scorers on the Nets are their center, Brook Lopez, and power forward, Thaddeus Young, and they have to contend with the defensive wall of the Jazz made up of Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors.
Offense to Use
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets
The Rockets have struggled defensively all season, and they have been playing just well enough lately that they may be able to keep it somewhat competitive against the Spurs at home. The Rockets are 25th against point guards, 25th against shooting guards, 30th against small forwards, 18th against power forwards and ninth against centers.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Pistons, Heat, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers
Second game: Bulls, Grizzlies
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Ronnie Price, PHO vs. MEM ($4,000): Price has taken over the starting point guard slot for the Suns with Brandon Knight continuing to nurse a sore groin, allowing Archie Goodwin to slide over to his more natural shooting guard position. Price has steadily increased his role and production over the last three games, from 18.75 fantasy points in 20 minutes to 28.75 fantasy points in 27 minutes to 30.5 fantasy points in 38 minutes in his last outing.
Other suggestions: Ricky Rubio, MIN at NOP ($6,400); Mike Conley, MEM at PHO ($7,300)
Shooting Guard
Danny Green, SAS at HOU ($4,700): Green had a clunker in his last outing against a tough Jazz defense, but in the two games leading up to that he had averaged 33.5 fantasy points per game. Green has a larger role for the Spurs with Manu Ginobili out, and on Saturday he faces a Rockets defense that ranks among the worst in the NBA at defending wings.
Other suggestions: E'Twaun Moore, CHI vs. POR ($5,600); Klay Thompson, GSW at OKC ($7,300)
Small Forward
Lance Stephenson, MEM at PHO ($3,600): Stephenson has played over 20 minutes in four consecutive games, scoring at least 24 fantasy points in two of the last three. Considering how bad the Suns have played lately, there's a good chance that it's another blowout that affords Stephenson more opportunities.
Other suggestions: Kevin Durant, OKC vs. GSW ($10,100); Kawhi Leonard, SAS at HOU ($7,600)
Power Forward
Derrick Favors, UTA vs. BKN ($7,500): Favors has scored 40.5, 47.0, 35.0 and 51.0 fantasy points in his last four games, respectively, and now faces a Nets defense that is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to power forwards this season.
Other suggestions: Jabari Parker, MIL vs. DET ($6,500); Anthony Davis, NOP vs. MIN ($10,000)
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at NOP ($8,600): Towns only scored 25.00 fantasy points in his last outing, but in the prior four he had had 54.75, 48.00, 40.75 and 57.75 fantasy points. On Saturday, he faces off against a Pelicans defense that has really struggled against centers this season.
Other suggestions: Mason Plumlee, POR at CHI ($5,000); Greg Monroe, MIL vs. DET ($7,200)
Injury Report
Out
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN (ankle)
Jimmy Butler, CHI (knee)
Nikola Mirotic, CHI (appendix)
Stanley Johnson, DET (shoulder)
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Festus Ezeli, GS (knee)
Jerryd Bayless, MIL (knee)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
Nemanja Bjelica, MIN (foot)
Kevin Garnett, MIN (knee)
Nikola Pekovic, MIN (foot)
Omer Asik, NO (ankle)
Bryce Dejean-Jones, NO (wrist, season)
Brandon Knight, PHO (groin)
Manu Ginobili, SA (groin)
Matt Bonner, SA (calf)
Alec Burks, UTA (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
Derrick Rose, CHI (hamstring)
Clint Capela, HOU (ankle)
Donatas Motiejunas, HOU (back)
Tony Allen, MEM (knee)
John Henson, MIL (back)
