This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to avoid: Indiana Pacers, vs PHI - The two strongest defenses on the board Sunday, the Grizzlies and the Heat, both have tough matchups against strong teams with good offenses (the Warriors and the Celtics, respectively). Thus, the Pacers get the call here despite not having a dominant unit. They're solid, they're at home, and they're facing an unimpressive 76ers offense. The Pacers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to guards and the second fewest to power forwards in the last 10 games, but they have struggled by allowing the most fantasy points to small forwards and the fifth most to centers in that stretch.
Offense to Use: Portland Trail Blazers, at LAL - The Trail Blazers, led by Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic and C.J. McCollum, are one of the hotter offenses in the league right now. Meanwhile, the Lakers are friendly to everyone, allowing the fifth most fantasy points to centers, the third most to forwards, and the fifth most to guards in the last 10 games.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Grizzlies, Pelicans, Thunder, Kings
Second game: Clippers, Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard, POR at LAL ($9500): Lillard has averaged 51.3 fantasy points in his last six games, powered by 32.3 points, 5.7 assists, 4.0 boards, 4.0 treys and 2.2 steals. On Sunday, he faces a Lakers defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to point guards in the last 10 games.
Jrue Holiday, NO at DEN ($7200): Holiday has averaged 17.3 points, 7.0 assists, 3.0 boards, 2.3 treys, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals in his last four games, good for 38 fantasy points per game. On Sunday, he faces a Nuggets defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to guards on the season, and the third most in the last 10 games.
Jameer Nelson, DEN vs NO ($4900): Nelson has averaged 26.5 fantasy points in his last five games, powered by nine points, seven assists, 3.4 boards, 1.6 treys and 1.2 steals per game. On Sunday, he faces a Pelicans defense that has allowed the fifth most fantasy points to point guards in their last 10 games.
Anthony Davis, NO at DEN ($10,000): Davis faces a tough matchup Sunday, against a Nuggets defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to power forwards and the sixth fewest to centers in the last 10 games. On the other hand, Davis is essentially matchup-proof when healthy, and he could have a larger role if DeMarcus Cousins (ankle) is forced to sit.
Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs NO ($6100): Gallinari just returned Friday, but did so with a bang with 21 points with 11 rebounds, two blocks, two assists and a steal in 35 minutes. He sure looks to be full speed heading into Sunday's game against a tough Pelicans defense that has allowed the fourth fewest fantasy points to forwards in the last 10 games.
Larry Nance Jr., LAL vs POR ($3900): Nance is a high-risk option, but he's scored at least 28 fantasy points in two of his last four games which would be solid Sunday production for a punt play. Last game, he scored 13 points with seven rebounds, five assists and a blocked shot in 35 minutes against the Timberwolves.
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs NO ($9800): Jokic is a consistent production monster, and is coming off one of his best games in which he scored 30 points with 17 boards and five assists against the Pacers on Friday. On Sunday, he faces a Pelicans unit that has allowed the ninth fewest fantasy points to centers in the last 10 games but that could be without DeMarcus Cousins (ankle).
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at LAL ($7700): Nurkic has a plum matchup Sunday against a Lakers frontline that has allowed the fifth most fantasy points to centers over the last 10 games. In his last six, he has averaged 15.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals.
Myles Turner, IND vs PHI ($6400): Turner's price is a bit too high to be a textbook "affordable" option, but his matchup is too good not to be highlighted here. He has produced between 32 and 42 fantasy points in three straight games, and five of his last six. On Sunday, he faces a 76ers defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to centers this season and the second most over the last 10 games.
