This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense to Avoid:
Toronto Raptors at Memphis Grizzlies
There are multiple reasons to pivot to this matchup, but mainly because the Grizzlies are so banged up. Not only have they lost eight of 10, they are averaging just 94 points per game in those losses. What's most concerning is the rotation, as the only reliable fantasy option is Zach Randolph. Meanwhile, the Raptors have allowed more than 94 points just once in their last five road games and are allowing the fifth-fewest points per game this season.
Offense to Use:
Miami Heat at Sacramento Kings
Playing offenses against the Kings is always a good idea and the Heat provide especially good value. Since the All-Star break, the core of Dwyane Wade, Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic and Luol Deng have been one of the best foursomes in the league. They are quite affordable as well, with none costing more than $8,700. The main reason to like Miami is the matchup, as they face a Kings defense that is allowing the most points per game this season. Sacramento will also be without DeMarcus Cousins, and he is the only Kings player who can protect the rim. Miami has also increased their pace over recent weeks and should be playing even faster against a Kings team that ranks as the fastest-paced team in the league.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First Game: 76ers, Heat, Kings, Pistons and Raptors
Second Game: Cavaliers, Celtics, Magic and Nets
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard:
John Wall, WSH at PHX ($10,300): Wall faces a Suns defense that is allowing the most fantasy points per game to point guards this season. With Washington battling to stay in the playoff hunt, they should lean on Wall even more and play him close to 40 minutes. If he does get all those minutes, it's hard to imagine anyone outscoring him. Additionally, both teams rank in the top five in pace, which benefits a speedster like Wall who will get more possessions, which leads to more fantasy points.
Other Options: Reggie Jackson, DET vs. DAL ($5,800); Shane Larkin, BKN at NYK ($4,100)
Shooting Guard:
Dwyane Wade, MIA at SAC ($7,200): Wade is averaging over 50 fantasy points per game in his last two and it's clear he is carrying the Heat on his back for the final playoff push. He's been solid all year though, as he's averaging just shy of 35 fantasy points per game. The matchup is what makes this so enticing, as he faces a Sacramento defense that allows the second-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards for the season.
Other Options: Bradley Beal, WSH at PHX ($5,800); Raymond Felton, DAL at DET ($4,700)
Small Forward:
P.J. Tucker, PHX vs. WSH ($5,000): Not many small forwards are playing as well as Tucker right now, and he continues to be criminally undervalued. Over his last nine games, Tucker is averaging 11.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. In that span, he has surpassed 32 fantasy points five times, which is great value for a $5,000 player. If that's not enough incentive, his matchup should be, with the Wizards ranking 26th in fantasy points allowed per game to small forwards.
Other Options: Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. MIN ($7,000); Luol Deng, MIA at SAC ($6,000)
Power Forward:
Zach Randolph, MEM vs. TOR ($6,500): With all the injuries in Memphis, Randolph has turned into their only offensive weapon. Since returning from injury, Randolph has scored at least 37 fantasy points in four consecutive games, averaging over 43 fantasy points per game in that span. It's clear the Grizzlies are running the offense through Randolph and that's all you can ask for in DFS.
Other Options: John Henson, MIL at ORL ($3,800); Ersan Ilyasova, ORL vs. MIL ($3,000)
Center:
Andre Drummond, DET vs. DAL ($7,400): Drummond has seen his price decrease over recent weeks, but the drop has gone too far. With the Pistons fighting to get into the playoffs, look for Drummond to play as many minutes as he can handle in a great matchup. The Mavericks have really struggled with their center position over recent weeks and Drummond could abuse whoever they put in there. The last time Detroit played Dallas, Drummond tallied 25 points and 17 rebounds. The price is the icing on the cake though, as there's no other player below $8,000 who could legitimately hit 50 fantasy points.
Other Options: Greg Monroe, MIL vs. ORL ($5,400); Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC vs. MIA ($4,600)
INJURY REPORT
Out:
Tiago Splitter – ATL (calf)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - CHA (shoulder)
Mo Williams – CLE (knee)
Chandler Parsons – DAL (knee)
Andre Iguodala – GS (ankle)
Marc Gasol – MEM (foot)
Mario Chalmers – MEM (achilles)
Mike Conley – MEM (foot)
Chris Bosh – MIA (blood clot)
Tyler Johnson – MIA (shoulder)
Michael Carter-Williams - MIL (knee)
O.J. Mayo – MIL (leg)
Greivis Vasquez – MIL (ankle)
Joel Embiid – PHI (foor)
Eric Bledsoe – PHX (knee)
T.J. Warren – PHX (foot)
DeMarcus Cousins – SAC (suspension)
DeMarre Carroll – TOR (knee)
Alec Burks – UTA (leg)
Game-Time Decision:
Jae Crowder – BOS (ankle)
Marvin Williams – CHA (ankle)
Jeremy Lin – CHA (back)
Jodie Meeks – DET (foot)
Festus Ezeli GS (knee)
Lavoy Allen – IND (knee)
Brandan Wright – MEM (knee)
Zach Randolph – MEM (ankle)
Jerryd Bayless – MIL (knee)
Kevin Garnett - MIN (leg)
Nikola Pekovic – MIN (foot)
Andrew Wiggins – MIN (head)
Kristaps Porzingis – NYK (shoulder)
Jose Calderon – NYK (quad)
Nikola Vucevic – ORL (groin)
Nerlens Noel – PHI (knee)
Jerami Grant – PHI (knee)
Mirza Teletovic – PHX (illness)
Marco Belinelli – SAC (foot)
Patrick Patterson – TOR (ankle)
Kyle Lowry – TOR (elbow)
Derrick Favors – UTA (knee)
