This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs: Fading the Spurs is always a risky proposition, but there's reasons to believe they could struggle in this game. The toughest part about using them is the matchup against Detroit's defense, with the Pistons ranking fourth in defensive efficiency at home. What also hurts them for fantasy purposes is the expected pace of this game, with both of these teams ranking bottom eight in pace. San Antonio is also a team that's tough to configure with their rotations, as they regularly play 12 players and rarely give anyone more than 30 minutes of action, aside from Kawhi Leonard. Many people don't think of the Pistons as an elite defense at home, but they rarely allow opponents to reach the century mark in Michigan.
Offense to Use:
Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets: These are two teams going in opposite directions and it makes the Heat one of the most intriguing options on the board. Not only has Miami won 12 straight headed into this game, but Brooklyn has lost 11 straight. The issue with the Nets is their defense and pace, as they rank dead-last in total defense and No. 1 in pace. That should allow this hot Miami offense to continue to sizzle and with no players above $8,500 on the Heat roster, this a fabulous opportunity for a stack
Teams on Back-to-Back Set:
First Game: Bucks, Heat, Nuggets, Pacers, Suns and Warriors
Second Game: None
DraftKings.com Player Recommendations
Goran Dragic, MIA at BRK ($7,900): Dragic has been awesome recently and has the matchup of all matchups Friday. Not only does he have at least 33 fantasy points in 12 straight games, he's averaging over 40 fantasy points in that span. This matchup is just the icing on the cake, with Brooklyn allowing the most fantasy points in the NBA to point guards this season.
Eric Bledsoe, PHX vs. CHI ($7,200): Bledsoe has been better than this price would indicate, as he's averaging nearly 40 fantasy points a game for the season. What's lowered his price is his shooting slump, with Bledsoe shooting under 34 percent in four straight games. What's encouraging about that is the fact that he still stuffs the stat sheet and will provide elite fantasy numbers if he can just find his jumper. This is a slump-busting matchup too, with Chicago allowing the seventh most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Derrick Rose, NYK vs. DEN ($6,300): Rose has been unfairly criticized all season and should be in contention for comeback player of the year. Averaging 30 fantasy points a game is enough incentive to use Rose at this price, but the matchup makes it a can't-miss. Denver is currently allowing the second most fantasy points to point guards this season, as they've developed into one of the worst defenses in the NBA. Rose has been playing monster minutes too when in the lineup, as he's averaging nearly 35 minutes a game (except when he left early due to injury).
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. DEN ($6,900): Porzingis has had a down year by his standards, but his recent form shows that he's ready for a big second half. Not only does he have at least 27 fantasy points in seven straight games, Porzingis is regularly approaching 40 fantasy points across his last four. What makes that even more encouraging is the fact that he's battled foul trouble in many of those games, so his upside is infinitely higher if he can just keep his hand out of the cookie jar. The matchup may be the tastiest part of this play though, with Denver ranking dead-last in defensive efficiency.
Julius Randle, LAL at MIL ($5,400): Randle has been battling pneumonia for the last few weeks, but 30 minutes in his most recent game suggests he's ready to return to a full-time role. That, along with the fact that his price has dropped nearly $2,000, makes him extremely enticing and it's key to hop on the train before his price inevitably rises above $6,000. What makes it even better is the fact that Milwaukee is playing horrible defense right now, allowing power forwards to score the fourth most fantasy points across the last 10 games.
Brandon Ingram, LAL at MIL ($4,400): Ingram was recently inserted into the Lakers' starting lineup and has been regularly outperforming his price tag. The rookie is averaging 26 fantasy points over his last three games, which is a whopping 6X value. The matchup is brilliant as well, with Milwaukee allowing the second most fantasy points to small forwards this season. The minutes gives Ingram a high ceiling in addition to his cheap price, as he's averaged well over 30 minutes in 2016-17.
Anthony Davis, NOP at MIN ($10,100): Elite players these days are approaching $12,000 on DraftKings, so that alone makes Davis a nice value. It's not like Davis has been playing poorly either, as he's averaging 25.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.2 blocks across his last 24 games. That's incredible production and he should have some extra motivation here against Karl-Anthony Towns to show who the more valuable No. 1 pick is. In his first game against the Timberwolves, Davis dropped 45 points en route to a 69 fantasy-point outing.
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at BRK ($8,500): Whiteside was struggling over recent weeks due to an ankle injury, but recent results would indicate he's over that issue. In fact, Whiteside has at least 43 fantasy points in four straight games while approaching 20-20 outings on a nightly basis. That form already makes Whiteside a provocative option, but considering he faces a Nets defense that plays at the fastest pace and ranks fifth in fantasy points allowed to centers, makes Whiteside as captivating as anyone.
Robin Lopez, CHI at PHX ($4,700): Lopez has regularly outperformed this price and it's clear he's the go-to center in this strange Bulls rotation. With averages of 34 minutes and 13 shot attempts across his last three games, Lopez is arguably the best center option below $5,000. It's not just empty usage either, with Lopez averaging 32 fantasy points during that span. That's 7X value on a $4,700 price tag, which is near-impossible upside to find at most positions. The matchup is just as promising as the upside though, with Phoenix ranking 28th in defensive efficiency.
