This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Charlotte Hornets at Golden State Warriors: The Warriors have surprisingly been one of the stronger teams from a defensive standpoint in 2014. Golden State has a defensive rating of 94.7, which is good for third-best in the NBA. While they have a high pace (number of possessions per 48 minutes) at 102.24, they've been making sure opponents haven't been keeping up. In this game, they get a Charlotte Hornets team who won't blow you away offensively, as they average just 98 points per 100 possessions, which is good for fifth-worst in the NBA. The Hornets aren't loaded with great daily fantasy options regardless, but buyer beware.
Detroit Pistons at Memphis Grizzlies: We could probably give the Grizzlies love for days for their defense, but this matchup stands out on paper. Memphis allows just 97.3 points per 100 possessions, which is fourth-best in the NBA. To add to that, they play a Pistons team who has an offensive rating of just 98.3, putting them in the bottom five in the NBA. Detroit has some definite fantasy options on most nights, including guys like Greg Monroe, Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings, but you'll want to limit your Pistons due to this matchup. If you tack on the fact that the Grizzlies and Pistons play with two of the slowest paces in the NBA (both in the bottom 10 of the league), then it just makes sense to be careful with Detroit.
Offenses to Use
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks can really light up the scoreboard, and they have an offensive rating of 113.3, which is the best in the NBA. They post a defensive rating of 108.5, which is in the bottom six in the NBA currently. Minnesota hasn't been awful defensively, but targeting the Mavericks in this game is a smart decision. Dallas has averaged 112.6 points per game at home, meaning that there's plenty of fantasy value to be found on this roster Saturday. Give guys like Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons and even Tyson Chandler a look, depending on how they fit into your lineups.
Utah Jazz at Toronto Raptors: You may not know it, but the Raptors can put up some major points. This team has a top ten offensive rating in the NBA with 107.4 points scored per 100 possessions. Tack on the fact that the Jazz have the fifth worst defensive rating, allowing 109 points per 100 possessions. Basically, the Raptors should jump all over the Jazz on the offensive end Saturday, making players like Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan very intriguing options.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Golden State Warriors
Second game of a back-to-back: Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Damian Lillard, PG, POR ($7,900): With Stephen Curry and Chris Paul seeing their salaries top $10k, you'll find Lillard at a "discount" (sort of). Lillard has a great matchup though, and he takes on a Brooklyn Nets team who has given up the fifth most fantasy points to point guards in 2014. Not only do they score well, but point guards against the Nets dish out close to 10 assists on average this year.
Other suggestions: Deron Williams (at POR), Kyle Lowry (vs. UTA), Zach LaVine (at DAL)
Shooting Guard
Jimmy Butler, SG, CHI ($6,800): Not only are the Pacers far below average at guarding opposing shooting guards (allowing 25.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game), but Butler has been lighting it up as of late. It hasn't mattered who's been in the lineup for the Bulls, because Butler does a little bit of everything. If he's not relied upon to score, then he'll dish out assists, get rebounds, and do a little of everything on defense as well. Tack on the fact that the Bulls have one of the highest offensive ratings in the NBA, and Butler will make for a great play Saturday.
Other suggestions: Monta Ellis (vs. MIN), Klay Thompson (vs. CHA), Courtney Lee (vs. DET)
Small Forward
Gordon Hayward, SF, UTA ($7,700): You'll have to pay a bit more to use Hayward, but on Saturday he should be worth the price tag. Hayward and the Jazz are up against the Toronto Raptors, who rank in the top 10 in terms of fantasy points allowed to small forwards on the year. The Jazz and Raptors are also both in the top 10 in terms of offensive rating (Raptors at 107.4, Jazz at 106.1), so we should see plenty of points put up in this game. Expect Hayward to have an impressive night and be a solid starter at the SF spot.
Other suggestions: Tobias Harris (at WAS), Chandler Parsons (vs. MIN), Chris Copeland (at CHI)
Power Forward
Blake Griffin, PF, LAC ($9,600): I hate picking the most expensive player at a position, but the matchup is too good to pass up on tonight for Griffin. If you can get him in your lineup, he's a great grab. The Clippers are up against the Suns, who give up the most fantasy points to power forwards on the year. Both of these teams play with a pretty good pace as well, with the Suns averaging 97.75 possessions per 48 minutes, and the Clippers at 96.69 possessions. We should see these two teams put plenty of points on the board, and Griffin have a big night across the board as well.
Other suggestions: Paul Millsap (at CLE), Zach Randolph (vs. DET), Amir Johnson (vs. UTA)
Center
Joakim Noah, C, CHI ($7,400): I'm not sure if you've noticed, but the price of centers has gone up. Five centers on Saturday alone have price tags above $7,500, but Noah isn't one of them, fortunately for us. You won't be "saving" money technically, but Noah is one of the best options at center on the board on Saturday. He's up against the Indiana Pacers, who give up the most fantasy points per game to opposing big men. Centers are averaging 24.1 points per game and 12.78 rebounds per game. Noah should feast on Saturday.
Other suggestions: Marc Gasol (vs. DET), Roy Hibbert (vs. CHI), Enes Kanter (at TOR)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Kyle O'Quinn - ankle
Nicolas Batum - knee
Raymond Felton - ankle
Thaddeus Young - personal
Game-Time Decision
Derrick Rose - hamstring (questionable)
LaMarcus Aldridge - illness (doubtful)
