This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings: This is the perfect recipe for a fade, as we have a bad offense facing an elite defense in a game with high blowout potential. Since trading DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings sit bottom-10 in offensive efficiency, as they continue to patch things together. That's what also makes them difficult to use, as this is a fluid rotation with unpredictable minutes distribution. Golden State has been an underrated defense this season too, ranking second in defensive efficiency. All that doesn't even consider a blowout, as the Warriors will surely be favored by at least 15 points in this matchup.
Offense to Use:
Indiana Pacers vs. Denver Nuggets: The last time these teams faced off, the Nuggets dropped 140 points on Indiana in en embarrassing London game. That should make a Pacers team battling for a playoff spot even more motivated here, as they've been unbelievable at home this season with a 25-10 record. The Denver defense is the primary reason for using Indiana players , though, as it ranks 29th in defensive efficiency, while allowing 111 points per game.
Teams on Back-to-Back Set:
First Game: Cavaliers, Timberwolves and Wizards
Second Game: Nets and Suns
DraftKings.com Player Recommendations
John Wall, WSH vs. BRK ($9,600): Wall is having a breakout season and he should be able to produce against this terrible Brooklyn defense. The Nets currently rank dead-last in points allowed, while allowing opposing point guards to score the second most fantasy points. Wall has just obliterated the Nets all year too, averaging 53 fantasy points in the three games he's faced them. All this comes from a player who is south of five-figures, as Wall is nearly $3,000 cheaper than James Harden, while featuring similar potential.
Isaiah Thomas, BOS vs. PHX ($8,200): Thomas has seen a significant price drop over recent weeks and it's made him a nice value. With an average of 44 fantasy points per game, Thomas should be closer to $10,000, but we get quite the bargain at just $8,200. That doesn't even consider the matchup, with Phoenix allowing the fourth most fantasy points to point guards this season. In his one game against Phoenix this season, Thomas dropped 51 fantasy point.
Rajon Rondo, CHI vs. PHI ($6,200): Rondo has recaptured the starting point guard role in Chicago and it's brought him right back to fantasy relevance. Since taking over starting duty, Rondo has averaged 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.3 steals in over 32 minutes per game. The production should come as no surprise either, with Rondo taking on a much bigger role in the absence of Dwyane Wade (elbow). The matchup is the icing on the cake, with Philly allowing the sixth most fantasy points to point guards across its last 10 games.
Paul George, IND vs. DEN ($8,900): George has averaged 27.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals across his last 10 games. What makes that run all the more impressive is the fact that he has at least 44 fantasy points in seven of those 10 games. The matchup is too tasty to pass up too, with Denver ranking dead-last in defensive efficiency.
Khris Middleton, MIL vs. ATL ($6,300): Middleton has been awesome since his return from a hamstring injury, and this price still seems to be factoring in that time missed. Not only has he surpassed 27 fantasy points in 11 of his last 13 games, he's regularly approaching 35 minutes a game. Middleton's usage is on the rise too, with him approaching 30 minutes across his last five games. Atlanta has really struggled against opposing small forwards too, allowing the second most fantasy points to them this season.
Nikola Mirotic, CHI vs. PHI ($5,400): Mirotic is in the exact same boat as Rondo, as he's been thriving in his new starting role. It's his upside that's most intriguing, however, with Mirotic scoring at least 27 fantasy points in four of his last six games, while surpassing 37 fantasy points three times in that span. That's incredible upside from a $5,400 player and it doesn't even consider the fact that he's coming off a 39-minute monster performance in his most recent game. All that is fantastic and comes in a great matchup as well, with Philadelphia ranking 23rd in fantasy points allowed to forwards according to DraftKings.
Al Horford, BOS vs. PHX ($6,600): Horford has been hovering in the $6,000 range all season and it's unfair to a player who's been so reliable. Not only is he averaging 35 fantasy points per game for the season, Horford has scored at least 35 fantasy points in six straight. Also, Phoenix has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing centers, while ranking 25th in total defense this year.
Myles Turner, IND vs. DEN ($5,900): Turner is way too good of a player to be south of $6,000, as he's talented enough to be in the $8,000 range. He's been playing well recently too, scoring at least 32 fantasy points in four of his last five games. The matchup is probably the best part about this play though, with Denver ranking bottom-five in nearly every defensive category. With Indiana fighting for its playoff lives, look for the Pacers to lean on Turner more and give him plenty of minutes.
Clint Capela, HOU vs. NOP ($5,300): This has been one of the strangest prices of the season, as Capela has been in the $5,000's for way too long. Not only is he averaging 27 fantasy points a game for the year, Capela has surpassed 30 fantasy points in three of his last four games. The one worry with Capela is his minutes, but that shouldn't be an issue here against a frontline containing DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. New Orleans has a hard time stopping opposing centers from rebounding too (16.4 per game, which is the worst mark in the NBA).
