This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to avoid: Dallas Mavericks, vs LAL. The Mavericks are second in the NBA in limiting production to opposing guards and third at limiting opposing forwards in the DraftKings scoring system That makes them a tough matchup at home against a Lakers team that will be missing their starting point guard and doesn't have a dominant center.
Offense to Use: Toronto Raptors, vs PHO. The Raptors are rested, and likely angry after a 35-point beatdown by the Hornets on Friday. The Suns are on the back half of a back-to-back, and have struggled defensively to the tune of ranking 20th in production allowed to opposing guards, 24th against opposing forwards and 22nd against opposing enters.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Warriors
Second game: Nuggets, Suns
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs PHO ($8500): Lowry alternates between merely "really good" and "monstrous" on a regular basis. He has a great 1-on-1 matchup with Eric Bledsoe on Sunday, both of whom have similar potential and price tags, but Lowry gets the nod here by having an extra rest day while Bledsoe is playing for the second straight day.
Devin Booker, PHO at TOR ($6900): Booker seems to have finally hit his stride after a slower start to the year. Over his last five games, he is averaging 30 points, 3.2 assists, 2.6 treys and 2.2 boards per game.
Jameer Nelson, DEN at MIN ($3600): Both starting point guards are likely to sit in this game, as Ricky Rubio has already been ruled out and Emmanuel Mudiay is questionable after having to leave Saturday's contest with a back injury. Nelson is the backup with the clearest handle on the job, having produced 20 or more fantasy points in five of the last six games — even coming off the bench. The Wolves' point guard could be great value too, but when Rubio is out, it's difficult to guess whether Kris Dunn or Tyus Jones will get the most minutes.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs DEN ($10,100): Towns is averaging 26.8 points, 14.4 boards, 2.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks over his last five outings, good for 54 fantasy points/game in the DraftKings format. He is also dual-eligible, giving the flexibility to play him at forward or center.
Will Barton, DEN at MIN ($6500): Barton has been playing very well as a starter in place of Gary Harris, averaging 20. Points, 6.0 assists, 3.3 boards, 2.7 treys and 1.0 combined blocks/steals in the last three games. However, Harris has not been officially ruled out Sunday as of yet, which makes Barton a risky play unless an injury update is given before lineups lock.
Marquese Chriss, PHO at TOR ($3200): Chriss is a rookie with volatile production, but he has the upside to produce 15 points, five boards and four combined steals/blocks on any given day the way that he did in his last outing. At his price tag, 30 fantasy point upside could make him a strong punt play.
Nikola Jokic, DEN at MIN ($9100): Jokic entered Saturday's game with an injury designation for his ankle, which is a little worrisome, but h was able to produce 19 points and 10 boards in only 21 minutes of a blowout win over the Clippers on Saturday. Even including that as a "down game", Jokic is averaging 27 points, 11.6 boards, 4.0 assists, 1.6 treys and 12.0 combined steals/blocks which is good for 52.5 fantasy points over his last five games.
Tyson Chandler, PHO at TOR ($5500): Chandler is slightly risky on Sunday, because he's an older player on the second half of a back-to-back on the road. To that end, follow the updates to make sure he's going to play before tip-off. But other than that, he is averaging 16.5 rebounds and 13.3 points over his last four games and his price tag is very reasonable. If uneasy about his age/availability, Jonas Valanciunas makes another solid player to consider in this slot.
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN at MIN ($3000): Nurkic is a very risky but kind of slick punt play. He has shown that he can be very productive when given minutes, but with Jokic ascending he has been chained to the bench. However, rumor has it that the Nuggets have him on the trade block, which could maybe get him some extra minutes. Those rumors got louder right around the last game, when Nurkic got 20 minutes of PT for the first time in five games and turne in 12 points, five boards and three assists for a minimum price tag.
