This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs: With a short slate on Sunday, it's hard to suggest completely avoiding any one team. However, it's worth noting that Kawhi Leonard returned from injury Friday, and he's a game-changer for the Spurs on defense (and offense). With Leonard back in the fold, and much of the team getting healthier, be careful when selecting Jazz players for your rosters as they head out on the road Sunday.
Offenses to Use
New Orleans Pelicans at Toronto Raptors: The Pelicans are simply not a good defensive team (sixth-worst in the league by measure of defensive efficiency), and with Anthony Davis questionable for Sunday's tilt, they will be faced with the possibility of starting Ryan Anderson at power forward. If Davis plays, the Raptors are an offensive-minded team that should give the Pelicans fits, and if he doesn't, they are well equipped to take advantage of his absence.
First game of a back-to-back: New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors
Second game of a back-to-back: None
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Patty Mills, PG, SA ($3,600): Mills has actually posted some fairly solid DraftKings points totals since his return from injury, and while he's not going to carry your roster, he represents a cheap option that can provide a solid return on investment. If you don't want to spend the money on one of the top-tier guys, Mills is a player who can net you somewhere around the 20 DraftKings points mark while taking minimal salary.
Other suggestions: Russell Westbrook (at ORL), Tony Parker (vs. UTA), Kyle Lowry (vs. NO)
Shooting Guard
Dion Waiters, SG, OKC ($4,200): Waiters seems to be finding his role with his new club, and has posted some nice totals in his last three games. Since an abysmal Thunder debut versus the Kings, Waiters has reeled off DraftKings points totals of 27.75, 25.25, and 37. If he can get around the 20-22 DraftKings points mark, he'll be a good value, and against Orlando, he'll surely have a chance to do so.
Other suggestions: Danny Green (vs. UTA), DeMar DeRozan (vs. NO)
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard, SF, SA ($7,500): Leonard's return was needed by the Spurs, and he certainly delivered. After posting three straight games above 35 DraftKings points before he went down, Leonard served up a 39 DraftKings point game in his first game back from injury. Sunday's small forward pool has a clear tier-one, and Leonard is one of the cheaper options included there, so he's worth gambling on to continue his success.
Other suggestions: Kevin Durant (at ORL)
Power Forward
Ryan Anderson, PF, NO ($5,700): If Anthony Davis sits this one out, Anderson becomes a very intriguing play. The offensive-oriented game that the Raptors like to play would lend itself to the Pelicans utilizing Anderson, as he is a threat to score from the outside. His upside isn't outrageous, but for his price, he could be a very useful fantasy commodity on Sunday.
Other suggestions: Serge Ibaka (at ORL), Amir Johnson (vs. NO), Tim Duncan (vs. UTA)
Center
Omer Asik, C, NO ($4,500): Asik has been solid against three straight opponents who are, admittedly, bad at defending opposing centers. He'll get another shot against the Raptors, who are ranked 22nd against the position. Asik is a discount option who gains a bit of value if Anthony Davis sits out of this contest, as does his teammate Alexis Ajinca.
Other suggestions: Alexis Ajinca (if Davis doesn't play, at TOR), Rudy Gobert (at SA)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Marco Belinelli (groin)
Game-Time Decision
Jrue Holiday (ankle) is questionable.
Tobias Harris (ankle) is questionable.
Anthony Davis (ankle) is questionable.
