This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defenses to Avoid:
San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans
Many people will want to stack players in this game because there will be a high total, but it would be smart to steer clear. The expected total is high simply because of how bad New Orleans' defense is and how efficient the Spurs are. However, the Spurs are currently ranked as the second-best defense in the NBA, according to the Hollinger ratings, and are one of the slowest-paced teams as well. The Pelicans are relying on Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson to carry the offense and both have very tough matchups Friday. Gordon will likely be covered by Danny Green and Anderson will be blanketed by Kawhi Leonard. If Anthony Davis plays, he should live up to his price, but outside of him, no other Pelicans are good plays. There's also blowout potential in this game and that could limit the minutes of the starting fantasy options.
Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks
The Jazz are also a defense worth avoiding against the Dallas Mavericks. Quite simply, the Jazz are one of the top-five defenses in the NBA and they play at the slowest pace by a significant margin. This is the lowest total on the slate and that means we should avoid Dallas players in a typical Jazz-grinder.
Offenses to Use:
Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers
The Clippers rank as one of the most efficient offenses in the NBA and the Trail Blazers are playing some of the worst defense right now. Portland is in the midst of a seven-game losing streak and have allowed an average just shy of 110 points per game in that span. Against a potent offense like the Clippers, it would be hard to imagine them not giving up at least 100 points. The Clippers do have some injury concerns and that could open up some value for cheap players. If Chris Paul is unable to go in the second half of a back-to-back, Jamal Crawford could put up a big line at a cheap price. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan should also be in for some huge games, as Portland has one of the weakest frontcourts in the NBA.
Some other offenses that are worth using would be the Memphis Grizzlies against the Houston Rockets and the Spurs at the Pelicans. The Rockets and Pelicans are simply two of the worst defenses in the NBA and there are some nice values on the Spurs and Grizzlies.
Teams on Back-to-Back Sets:
First Game: Pistons, Rockets, Grizzlies, Knicks, 76ers, Spurs
Second Game: Warriors, Clippers
DraftKings.com Daily Player Recommendations:
Point Guard:
Jason Terry at MEM ($3,000): It's not every day that you find a starting point guard at a minimum price, but we have that here with Terry. Thanks to the benching of Ty Lawson, Terry has stepped into the starting role like he did last season. He should get plenty of minutes and plenty of opportunities to hit threes and record some assists. In his first start Wednesday, Terry played 29 minutes and put up 16 DraftKings points. That's not an eye-popping number, but it's still over 5X value. He took just three shots in that game and was battling foul trouble most of the night, so it appears there's a lot more upside with Terry than that line would indicate. Memphis typically looks like a tough matchup, but they rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to point guards this season.
Other suggestions:Emmanuel Mudiay vs. PHX ($5,900); Kemba Walker vs. PHI ($6,700)
Shooting Guard:
Danny Green at NOP ($4,300): I might be going down with the Danny Green ship, but he's just too hard to pass up at this price. Green has the ability to drain some threes, but he's yet to get hot this season. This is the perfect opportunity for him to find that stroke, as New Orleans ranks as the worst defense in the NBA. In addition, the Pelicans rank as the second-worst defense in defending three-pointers, allowing nearly 40 percent from long range. Green is also a good contributor in counting statistics, as he can provide rebounds, blocks and steals. He has yet to score 23 fantasy points in a game this season, but he's played at least 27 minutes in every one.
Other suggestions:Arron Afflalo at OKC ($4,300); Jimmy Butler at GS ($7,900)
Small Forward:
Joe Johnson at BOS ($5,400): Many fantasy owners don't like Johnson because he's strictly a scorer, but he's been doing more than that this season. Over his last seven games, Johnson is averaging 13.6 points, 5.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game. The best part about that run is that Johnson is playing over 37 minutes per contest. This matchup against Boston isn't the best, but the price is what makes this play so enticing. In six out of 10 games, Johnson has surpassed 28 fantasy points, while eclipsing 38 points twice. This veteran is overlooked a lot for DFS purposes, but his price and form make him a great play Friday, especially considering he'll likely be low-owned.
Other suggestions:Danilo Gallinari vs. PHX ($6,300); Jeff Green vs. HOU ($3,900)
Power Forward:
Markieff Morris at DEN ($5,600): Power forward was extremely tough to pick, but Morris makes for an interesting choice. He certainly is risky because of his recent form and injury scare, but it's a great upside play if he performs up to his standards. Morris faces off against the Nuggets and that's always a good matchup for power forwards. Morris will be covered by Kenneth Faried, who is a poor defender who likes to play around the basket. A player like Morris strays out to the three-point line and could put Faried on tilt with his reckless style. The last two games have been ugly for Morris, but that was because of a knee injury that's been hampering him. Prior to that, he was averaging just shy of 30 fantasy points per game over his previous six. This should also be a high-tempo game with two fast-paced offenses and that also benefits a player like Morris.
Other suggestions:Zach Randolph vs. HOU ($6,300); Kenneth Faried vs. PHX ($6,000)
Center:
Marc Gasol vs. HOU ($7,100): Gasol is one of the best centers in the NBA and has a solid matchup Friday. He'll be guarded by Dwight Howard, who is the type of center that likes to hang around the basket, while struggling to cover players who can step out from the pain. That's just the type of center Gasol is and that should open up some scoring and assisting opportunities. Another benefit to this matchup is the offensive struggles of Houston. Yes, they can score, but they currently rank in the bottom-five in steals and blocks per game. Not to mention, Houston ranks third in shots per game and that should give Gasol plenty of rebounding opportunities with the questionable shots the Rockets tend to take. Gasol has also been playing well of late, averaging roughly 37 fantasy points per game over his last four.
Other suggestions:Al Jefferson vs. PHI ($6,000); Robin Lopez at OKC ($4,300)
Injury Report:
Out:
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - CHA (shoulder)
Aaron Brooks – CHI (hamstring)
Wilson Chandler – DEN (hip)
Jusuf Nurkic – DEN (knee)
Brandon Jennings – DET (knee)
Jodie Meeks – DET (back)
Donatas Motiejunas – HOU (back)
Myles Turner – IND (hand)
Kendrick Perkins – NOP (pectoral)
Tyreke Evans- NOP (knee)
Norris Cole – NOP (ankle)
Quincy Pondexter – NOP (knee)
Kevin Durant – OKC (hamstring)
Tony Wroten – PHI (knee)
Game-Time Decision:
Derrick Rose – CHI (ankle)
JaVale McGee – DAL (leg)
Charlie Villanueva – DAL (foot)
Joffrey Lauvergne – DEN (back)
Patrick Beverley – HOU (ankle)
George Hill – IND (illness)
Rodney Stuckey – IND (ankle)
Chris Paul – LAC (groin)
J.J. Redick – LAC (back)
Kobe Bryant – LAL (age)
Brandan Wright – MEM (knee)
Omer Asik – NOP (calf)
Anthony Davis – NOP (hip)
Jrue Holiday – NOP (legs)
Louis Amundson – NYK (back)
C.J. Watson – ORL (calf)
Robert Covington - PHI (knee)
Nerlens Noel - PHI (knee)
T.J. Warren – PHX (illness)
Meyers Leonard – POR (shoulder)
Manu Ginobili - SAN (hip)
Bradley Beal – WSH (shoulder)
Otto Porter – WSH (leg)
