This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks: It's not too often that both sides of the spectrum are so one-sided in terms of this defenses to avoid section, but that's just the case here. Not only do the Jazz rank first in points allowed, they also rank second in defensive efficiency. That paired with the fact that the Mavericks rank 30th in points scored makes this a perfect pick. That's not all though, as this old Mavericks roster has to play this game in the second half of a back-to-back set. The pace also makes Dallas hard to trust, with both these teams ranking as the two-slowest teams in the NBA.
Offense to Use:
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets: Brooklyn is always worth exploiting for fantasy and it's even more profitable when you get to use a hot offense against them. Let's start with the Nets though, as they rank 27th in defensive efficiency and dead-last in points allowed. In addition, Brooklyn ranks as the fastest-paced team in the league, which only benefits an athletic team like the Pelicans. New Orleans comes into this matchup clicking on offense too, averaging 106 points a game across their last six games. Players like Tyreke Evans, Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday all become intriguing options in such a great matchup.
Teams on Back-to-Back Set:
First Game: Bucks, Bulls, Grizzlies, Hawks, Hornets, Jazz, Kings, Nets, Pacers, Rockets, Sixers, Trail Blazers
Second Game: Mavericks
DraftKings.com Player Recommendations
Damian Lillard, POR at PHI ($8,500): Lillard is sick of losing and his current form shows that he's starting to enter take-over mode and truly carry this team. In fact, Lillard has at least 38 fantasy points in nine of his last 10 games. What makes him especially attractive here is the matchup though, with the Sixers ranking 30th in fantasy points allowed to point guards. In a winnable game like this, look for Portland to lean on their stud and play him 40 minutes at an affordable $8,500.
Dennis Schroder, ATL vs. CHI ($5,900): Schroder hasn't given us a whole lot of reason to trust him recently, but this price is getting too cheap to pass up. The recent form is what's brought down his price, as he's scored 21 or less fantasy points in three of his last four games. His potential is just too high to pass up at this price, however, as he scored 31 or more fantasy points in his previous seven games prior to that poor stretch. This matchup is spectacular too, with Chicago allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to point guards this season and the most across their last 10 games. There may be no one as risky as Schroder, but there's also not many players at this sort of price who can provide the sort of value that he can.
Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. IND ($4,100): Clarkson is a frustrating player to watch at times, but his value has hit an all-time high with this recent price drop. His most recent form just doesn't match this price, as he's averaging 28 fantasy points across his last three games. That's near 7X value, which is good enough to win any big tournament. The matchup is nothing to be scared of either, as the Pacers rank 22nd in fantasy points allowed to shooting guards
Anthony Davis, NOP vs. BRK ($11,400): When I pay up for a five-figure player, I want the stars to align and this play is one of the best of the season. The last time New Orleans played Brooklyn, Davis had to sit out and he should be foaming at the mouth to face them here. Not only do they rank dead-last in total defense, they are allowing the most fantasy points to centers this season. Davis is on fire too, as he's scored 47 or more fantasy points in 11 of his last 13 games. It's not too often you can find a guy with 70-point potential, but that's just the case here.
Paul George, IND at LAL ($7,800): George has been in a bit of a rut this season, but recent performances show that he's slowly getting out of it. With at least 28 fantasy points in 11-straight games, George has developed a nice floor that makes him extremly trustworthy. Obviously, that's not enough for a $7,800 player, but he's averaged nearly 40 fantasy points a game in that span, which is all you can ask for from a player below $8,000. The best part about this play is the matchup though, with the Lakers allowing the third-most fantasy points to small forwards this season.
Derrick Favors, UTA at DAL ($5,200): Favors has been slow to recover from knee surgery, but he's starting to find his form and is once again becoming a targetable DFS option at this current price. What's most promising is the fact that he's starting to play a full complement of minutes, averaging nearly 30 minutes a game across his last eight games. His fantasy production continues to rise too, scoring 21 or more fantasy points in seven of his last eight games. When Favors is right, he's a $7,000 player and it's imperative to get on him before an inevitable price rise. This is a great one-on-one matchup for Favors too, as he should be able to manhandle an undersized Harrison Barnes.
Marc Gasol, MEM vs. SAC ($7,200): Gasol is scorching hot right now and he should be able to add to his current form in a great matchup like this. Not only is he stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis, he's averaging 45 fantasy points across his last two games. The minutes are what makes him so reliable though, as Gasol has played at least 34 minutes in eight-straight games. He should be looking at a huge workload here too, as he'll have to matchup with DeMarcus Cousins. That's a good matchup for Gasol though, as he'll drag Boogie outside of the paint and work him all over the floor.
Mason Plumlee, POR at PHI ($5,200): This is one of the most baffling prices on this slate, as Plumlee has destroyed value on this price so far this season. What makes him so good is his ability to stuff the stat sheet, as he's one of few centers who has triple-double potential. This matchup is hard to pass up as well, with Philly allowing the third-most fantasy points to centers this season. It's the price that doesn't make sense though, as Plumlee is averaging over 30 fantasy points a game, which is 6X value in itself.
Robin Lopez, CHI at ATL ($4,400): Lopez is starting to turn his season around and now's the time to get on him before his price inevitably rises above $5,000. Not only has he scored at least 22 fantasy points in five-straight games, he's surpassed 27 fantasy points four times in that span. That's huge value for a $4,400 player and he should be able to continue that success against Atlanta here. In fact, the Hawks have allowed the last two centers they've faced to grab 17 rebounds a piece. Lopez doesn't have huge upside, but he's one of the best bets to reach 5X value, thus making him a great play in cash games.
