DraftKings NBA: Friday Cheat Sheet

Team Analysis

Defense to Avoid:

Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings: The Clippers defense has been nothing short of spectacular this season and they very well could shut down the Kings here. Not only do the Clippers rank first in points allowed, they also rank first in defensive efficiency. What makes Sacramento even more off-limits in this game is the fact that they lean on just two players. Los Angeles has shown the capability to shut down the oppositions best player, as they've held Damian Lillard, Kawhi Leonard, C.J. McCollum, Russell Westbrook and Eric Bledsoe below their projections. DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay are the only usable Kings, but look for the Clippers to key in on those guys and make someone else beat them.

Offense to Use:

Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns: Indiana hasn't quite lived up to expectations this season, but they should be able to have their way with the Suns defense. Not only does Phoenix rank 21st in defensive efficiency and 30th in points allowed, they play at the fastest pace in the league as well. That means more possessions and most importantly, more fantasy points. That makes every Indiana starter worth a look and considering that no player costs more than $8,100 on the Pacers, they come at a nice value as well.

Teams on Back-to-Backs:

First Game: Celtics, Clippers, Grizzlies, Hornets, Mavericks, Pelicans, Pistons, Suns and Warriors
Second Game: Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard, POR at NOP ($9,100): Lillard has been all over the board recently in terms of fantasy points, but he's done well when he has a good matchup. In a matchup against the Pelicans, he should be able to go off, just as expected. New Orleans currently ranks 20th in fantasy points allowed to point guards this season and they have allowed some monster games to some players way worse than Lillard. In his three games against the Pelicans last season, Lillard averaged 28 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. He should be able to put up a similar line here, as this is a New Orleans team that has failed to improve on the defensive end this season.

Seth Curry, DAL vs MEM ($5,200): With J. J. Barea and Deron Williams both dealing with injuries, there aren't many options aside from Curry in Dallas' backcourt. Since Curry has taken on a bigger role, he is averaging 12 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals across his last four games. What's most encouraging about that stretch are the minutes, as he has played at least 30 minutes in all four games. With Barea and Williams both expected to miss this game, Curry will have to play nearly all the point guard minutes here and he should exceed value through sheer volume.

Tim Frazier, NOP vs. POR ($4,900): This will be one of the last times we can use Frazier this season and it's hard to overlook his production while in the starting role. With Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans injured, Frazier has taken on the majority of the point guard minutes and is playing very well. In fact, he is averaging over 28 fantasy points and 31 minutes per game. While Holiday is expected to return here, Frazier should remain the starter and still play a big role in a game where they'll want to ease Holiday back into action. It's a great matchup as well, with Portland ranking 29th in total defense and with the defensively inept Damian Lillard covering Frazier.

Paul George, IND vs. PHX ($8,100): George got off to a slow start this season, but he's starting to turn it on as of late. In fact, George has scored at least 45 fantasy points in three of his last four games, while averaging 44 fantasy points per game in that span. The matchup is what's most tasty here though, as he faces a Phoenix defense that ranks dead-last in points allowed. The price is extremely affordable as well, considering he is $4,200 cheaper than Russell Westbrook and has a similar upside in this sort of matchup.

Myles Turner, IND vs. PHX ($6,000): After an amazing start, Turner has hit some inevitable regression. With that said, he has the capability to go off in any game and this is the sort of matchup he could do just that. Much like George, he should be able to thrive here, with the Suns allowing the most fantasy points in the league to power forwards this season. It's not like Turner's been terrible either, as he is averaging over 31 fantasy points a game this season. The pace is what excites me most though, as Turner is one of the most athletic bigs in the league and can provide elite production in rebounds, steals and blocks against a weak Suns team.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BRK at OKC ($4,200): There aren't many players as volatile as RHJ, but he's one of few players who has the capability to provide 10X value at this sort of price. While he's averaging just 18.5 fantasy points a game, he's had two games this season with at least 39 fantasy points. That sort of upside is extremely intriguing and it makes Hollis-Jefferson a great tournament play. The matchup is what could allow him to blow up though, with Oklahoma City ranking 20th in fantasy points to small forwards. In addition to that, the Thunder rank seventh in pace and and 23rd in turnover ratio, which should benefit a defensive stud like Hollis-Jefferson.

Marc Gasol, MEM at DAL ($6,700): Gasol is one of the most consistent players in fantasy and it's a wonder why is price is still so affordable. Not only has he scored at least 28 fantasy points in every game this season, he's coming off a season-high 45 fantasy points against an elite Clippers defense in his most recent game. It appears he's fully over his foot issue and the pricing would indicate he's not. The matchup is great as well, with Dallas having very little in terms of frontcourt defense.

Mike Muscala, ATL at CHA ($4,800): If Dwight Howard misses this game, Muscala should step in as the starting center and could be in for a big night. In his last game filling in for Howard, Muscala scored 28 fantasy points in 33 minutes of action. That followed up a 29 fantasy point outing in his prior game and he's shown the capability to produce whether he's starting or not. One of the only weaknesses on this Charlotte team is their frontcourt defense and Muscala could abuse a player like Cody Zeller or Roy Hibbert. If Howard sits, Muscala is a must play and even if Howard does appear, Muscala still appears to be a nice value

Tyson Chandler, PHX at IND ($4,700): Chandler is quietly having a renaissance season and it's flying under the radar. In eight games played, Chandler is averaging over 12 rebounds a game and has grabbed 18 rebounds in three separate appearances. That sort of upside is hard to find out of anyone, let alone a $4,700 player. It's not just rebounds either, as he has surpassed 28 fantasy points in half of his games. That's 6X value, which would ultimately give you 300 fantasy points if you did that across the board at every position. While 300 fantasy points is an outlandish number, it makes Chandler hard to pass up with the sort of upside he provides.