This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team AnalysisDefense to Avoid: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
The Celtics have a solid perimeter defense, ranking ninth against guards for the season. They've also stepped up of late against forwards, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the position over the last 10 games. They are more average at center, ranking 14th over the last 10 games, which could open the door for Kristaps Porzingis to play well if he's healthy enough to go.
Offense to Use: Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have struggled on defense all season, and they rank 27th in the NBA against guards, last against forwards and 25th against centers over the last 10 games. The Clippers may be lacking both of their horses Sunday if Chris Paul has to join Blake Griffin on the sidelines, but that means that there could be value plays among the backups.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Bulls, Cavaliers, Clippers, Timberwolves
Second game: None
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Dwyane Wade, CHI at SA ($6,200):Russell Westbrook is the obvious premium guard, with both his expected production and his price on an island separate him from every other player. However, on the mortal tier, Wade is a potentially strong play. He has been consistently productive this season, with the penchant for explosive outings in big games. Sunday is a showcase game, and Wade is facing a Spurs team that he just hit for 20 points, five boards and five assists in their last meeting a few weeks ago.
Ricky Rubio, MIN at OKC ($5,900): Rubio has quietly put together his best stretch of the season, averaging 9.8 points, 9.0 assists, 5.4 boards, 2.4 steals and 1.3 treys per game, including two double-doubles over his last five. He has the unenviable task of chasing around Russell Westbrook, but that hasn't been a detriment to production as the Thunder rank 23rd in the NBA against point guards this season.
Jamal Crawford, LAC at LAL ($4,000): Crawford earns this spot on the possibility that Chris Paul may miss his second straight game, as Crawford is the shooting guard that handles the ball the most for the Clippers and tends to step up in Paul's absence. He had 26 points and six assists Friday with Paul on the bench. Honorable mention goes to Manu Ginobili, who has rested the last two games but averaged 27 fantasy points in his two games prior to that, which is very respectable for $3,400.
LeBron James, CLE vs. GS ($10,300): James has been a monster at times this year, but at other times he has seemed to coast more to stay fresh over the marathon of a season. But LeBron always plays on Christmas, and he's facing the same Warriors team he's seen in the last two NBA finals, so we should expect to see him at his best.
Julius Randle, LAL vs. LAC ($5,700): Randle missed the last two games due to the birth of his son, but he was playing well before his break. If he returns Sunday, as expected, he'll bring a three-game streak averaging 16.3 points, 6.3 boards, 5.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per game against a Clippers defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to power forwards over the last five games.
Jae Crowder, BOS at NY ($5,100): Crowder is the Groundhog Day of role players, notching nine straight efforts between 21.5 and 34.0 fantasy points before his clunker Friday night. Look for him to bounce back Sunday against a Knicks defense that ranks 23rd in the NBA against small forwards over the last 10 games.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at OKC ($8,300): Towns has been a monster over the last month, averaging 23.6 points, 14.1 boards, 2.7 assists, 1.5 blocks and 0.8 treys per game over his last 12. He has been playing more power forward on offense, with Gorgui Dieng at center, and the Thunder rank 25th in the NBA against power forwards over the past 10 games.
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. CHI ($6,800): Aldridge has the talent to produce big on any given day, but he has subsumed himself into the Spurs' system that calls for egalitarian offense and plenty of rest for primary players. However, on Sunday he should be rested and primed for a showcase game on Christmas. He is coming off a solid game against his former team Friday, finishing with 18 points, 14 boards, six assists and three steals in 37 minutes.
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. GS ($4,900): Thompson is a rebounds-monster, and the undersized front line of the Warriors is susceptible to boards (ranking 18th in the NBA in rebounds allowed). Thompson will try to grab double-digit rebounds for his fourth straight game, and the eighth time in his last 11 outings.
