Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Heat have Hassan Whiteside back anchoring the defense, which again makes them one of the more intimidating defenses in the NBA. Chris Paul and the Clippers will have to deal with a defensive squad that is second in the NBA against point guards, fourth against shooting guards, first against power forwards and 12th against centers.
Offenses to Use
Boston Celtics vs. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have been a target opponent in DFS all season long, and Sunday is no exception. The Kings are 29th against point guards, last against shooting guards, 22nd against power forwards and 22nd against opposing centers.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hawks, Nuggets, Clippers, Magic, Kings
Second game: None
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Isaiah Thomas, BOS vs. SAC ($7,500): Thomas has averaged 20.5 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 boards, 1.3 steals and 2.3 treys per game over his last four, and on Sunday he faces a Kings defense that is 29th against point guards, making a blowout the biggest risk to what should otherwise be a strong game for Thomas.
Other suggestions: Jeff Teague, ATL at ORL ($6,000); Marcus Smart, BOS vs. SAC ($5,000)
Shooting Guard
Evan Turner, BOS vs. SAC ($5,400): Turner is in the midst of his best stretch of the season, averaging 15.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, one steal and one block per game over his last three, including two double-doubles. On Sunday, he faces a friendly Kings defense with a chance to continue his strong play.
Other suggestions: Langston Galloway, NYK vs. DEN ($5,000); Avery Bradley, BOS vs. SAC ($5,500)
Small Forward
Danilo Gallinari, DEN at NYK ($5,600): The Knicks actually aren't bad at defending small forwards, ranking 11th against the position. But Gallinari is hot of late, scoring at least 23 points in five of his last six games. Plus, he has the "revenge" factor of playing against a former team in Madison Square Garden which should keep him at his best.
Other suggestions: Omri Casspi, SAC at BOS ($5,200); Tobias Harris, ORL vs. ATL ($5,600)
Power Forward
Kenneth Faried, DEN at NYK ($5,600): Faried has the best matchup on the board among power forwards, facing a Knicks defense that is 25th against the position this season. When in "Manimal" mode, Faried is too physically explosive for Kristaps Porzingis to contain.
Other suggestions: Paul Millsap, ATL at ORL ($7,900), Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. DEN ($7,000)
Center
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. LAC ($7,400): Whiteside has come off the bench in both games since returning from injury, but it hasn't slowed him in the slightest. He just notched another 10-block triple-double on Friday, despite playing only 27 minutes, and he now faces a Clippers defense that is 24th against centers this season.
Other suggestions: Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. ATL ($7,300); Nikola Jokic, DEN at NYK ($6,500)
Injury Report
Out
Tiago Splitter, ATL (hip)
Jameer Nelson, DEN (wrist)
Darrell Arthur, DEN (quad)
Blake Griffin, LAC (hand)
Austin Rivers, LAC (hand)
Tyler Johnson, MIA (shoulder)
Chris Andersen, MIA (knee)
Lance Thomas, NY (concussion)
Cleanthony Early, NY (knee)
C.J. Watson, ORL (calf)
Game-Time Decision
Carmelo Anthony, NY (knee)
Ben McLemore, SAC (wrist)
Rudy Gay, SAC (ankle)
