This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to avoid: Memphis Grizzlies vs DET - The Grizzlies have clearly the best defense Sunday. Their defensive anchor, Marc Gasol, has been getting playing time to get back into shape after an injury layoff, and there has been no word that he's going to sit on Sunday. On the other side of the ball, the Pistons have been limping down the stretch with their offense getting less effective. Add that it's a home game for the Grizzlies, so the odds are that they'll provide another strong defensive effort.
Offense to Use: Minnesota Timberwolves at LAL - The Lakers have been one of the worst defenses in the NBA all year. The Timberwolves have played the Lakers twice in the last 20 days, and both resulted in big games. The Lakers are likely to put up good numbers too, and with none of the games on the main schedule having any playoff implications, a battle of two lottery teams with lots of young upside could produce the best scoring results of the day.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Cavaliers, Pistons, Rockets
Second game: None
James Harden, HOU at SAC ($12,400): Harden sat out last Sunday sick, and in the two games since has averaged 32 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, 5.5 treys and 2.5 combined steals/blocks. The Rockets have nothing to play for, but Harden is competing with record-setting Russell Westbrook for MVP, so he could be motivated to try to put another big number on the board Sunday against a weak Kings defense.
Devin Booker, PHO vs DAL ($8000): Booker has averaged 47.2 fantasy points in his last five games, and seven games back tossed in a 96.5 fantasy point effort. The Suns have nothing to lose, and seem content to funnel their offense through their talented young shooting guard.
Yogi Ferrell, DAL at PHO ($4800): Ferrell has a good opportunity Sunday. Seth Curry is still out injured, and the Mavs are also sitting both J.J. Barea and Harrison Barnes. As such, Ferrell will be the primary point guard and one of the main offensive threats for the Mavs against a Suns defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to point guards in the last 10 games.
Andrew Wiggins, MIN at LAL ($7200): Wiggins has averaged 39.6 fantasy points in his last six games, with a min of 30.75 and a max of 53.5. He has played the Lakers twice in the last three weeks, scoring 49.5 fantasy points in one and 37.5 in the other.
Julius Randle, LAL vs MIN ($6700): Randle has averaged 31.5 fantasy points in his last five games, with a min of 26 and a max of 37.25. Randle has faced the Timberwolves twice in the last three weeks, scoring 49 fantasy points in one game and 32.25 in the other.
Larry Nance Jr., LAL vs MIN ($5300): Nance has picked it up in the last week for the Lakers, scoring 29.25, 32.75 and 40.5 fantasy points in his last three games. He's faced the Timberwolves twice in the last few weeks, and though he struggled with only 10 fantasy points in one of the games, in the other he scored 29.25 fantasy points, which is similar to the level he's been playing at this week.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at LAL ($10,700): Towns has averaged 49.5 fantasy points in his last six games, with a min of 41.5 and a max of 54.75. He has faced the Lakers twice in the last three weeks, scoring 51.75 fantasy points in one game and 55.5 in the other.
Marc Gasol, MEM vs DET ($7400): Gasol has averaged 39.8 fantasy points in his three games since returning from injury. In his only other game against the Pistons this season, he turned in a 57.8 fantasy point masterpiece.
Alex Len, PHO vs DAL ($4200): Len has scored between 24.25 and 35.25 fantasy points in seven of his last 10 games. His other three games were in the teens of fantasy points, so there is risk, but he has a reasonable expectation of starter production at a relatively low price.
