This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Indiana Pacers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: While the Trail Blazers have been ranked in the top 10 this year in terms of defensive rating, while allowing just 100.6 points per 100 possessions, the Indiana Pacers have a far below average offensive rating. Their rating of 98.6 puts them in the bottom 10 of the NBA, simply meaning that the Pacers may not be the team to target on this night. Portland plays strong defense, and neither team plays with an incredibly high pace, which should play into the Blazers' hands tonight.
Offenses to Use
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors: While both the Pelicans and the Warriors have strong offensive ratings this year, the Warriors get the edge thanks to the fact that the Pelicans' defense rating is a full 13+ points worse than Golden State's is. With players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson lighting it up, you could also look for players like Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green to save yourself some money as well.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers
Second game of a back-to-back: None
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Jrue Holiday, PG, NOP ($7,400): If you can get Curry into your lineup, then I love his upside tonight, but Holiday is an absolute great spot, and he won't break the bank as well. He's facing a Warriors' team that gives up the sixth most points to opposing point guards, and he should be able to post some big numbers tonight. Holiday has scored 47.75, 28.25 and 36 fantasy points over his last three games as well.
Other suggestions: Stephen Curry (at NOP), Damian Lillard (at IND), C.J. Watson (at POR)
Shooting Guard
Tyreke Evans, SG, NOP ($7,300): Evans is likely one of the best plays tonight, largely due to his price tag and the fact that he gets to take on a Warriors' defense that allows the seventh most points to opposing shooting guards. To add on to that, Evans has been on fire lately, posting 39, 25.75, 41.5 and 35.75 fantasy points in his previous four games. Expect him to have a big night, and he should be locked and loaded in lineups.
Other suggestions: Wesley Matthews (at IND), J.R. Smith (vs. CLE)
Small Forward
Draymond Green, SF, GSW ($5,600): This one may come with a bit of an asterisk, as it was reported that Green had an MRI on his injured thumb, but he's unlikely to miss any time. Regardless, you'll notice that both he and Harrison Barnes are listed as SF's on DraftKings, making them both intriguing options. Green has been impressive over his previous three games, scoring 28.75, 33 and 28 fantasy points. If he's good to go and gets the start, I'd lock him.
Other suggestions: Carmelo Anthony (vs. CLE), Harrison Barnes (vs. NOP), Solomon Hill (at POR)
Power Forward
Kevin Love, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers ($8,900): I know, I know, there are a ton of mouths to feed in Cleveland, but Love is still getting it done. On top of that, he has a great matchup against a New York Knicks team who isn't great against power forwards by any stretch of the imagination. Add in the fact that Love has scored 41.5 and 49 fantasy points in his last two games, and it's safe to say that he's getting into a rhythm with this Cavaliers' offense.
Other suggestions: Anthony Davis (at GS), Amar'e Stoudemire (vs. CLE)
Center
Roy Hibbert, C, IND ($7,100): While the Trail Blazers aren't a team who we really want to target, this is a spot where you can justify it. You really can't go wrong with the matchup, or the price. While he's had one bad game over his last three, I expect to see him put up big numbers against the Trail Blazers tonight.
Other suggestions: Andrew Bogut (vs. NOP), Robin Lopez (vs. IND)
INJURY REPORT
Out
David Lee- hamstring
Eric Gordon- shoulder
Andrea Bargnani- calf, hamstring
Game-Time Decision
