TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense to Avoid: Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets
The Heat have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to guards, the seventh-fewest to forwards and the 12th-fewest to centers over the last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Nuggets will be without starting point guard Jameer Nelson, which means their offense will be run by rookie Jamal Murray.
Offense to Use: Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets
There are a lot of weak defenses Sunday, which means there are a lot of teams that could go in this spot, but the Hawks have a hot point guard and center going against a Nets defense that is weak against both, and their swingmen should be able to produce as well.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First Game: none
Second Game: Hawks, Nets, Bulls, Lakers, Suns
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. PHI ($8,800): DeRozan has averaged 47.1 fantasy points per game, including a low of 33.8 and high of 59.3, over the last five, and in the game before that he scored 68.3. He has averaged 36.6 fantasy points per game in three starts against the 76ers this season, but DeRozan is a different producer when Kyle Lowry is out of the lineup, as he will be on Sunday.
Rajon Rondo, CHI at NO ($6,900): Rondo has averaged 37.6 fantasy points per game over his last five, including 43.8, 45.8 and 53.3 in his last three, respectively. On Sunday, he faces a Pelicans defense that has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to point guards over the last 10 games.
Jamal Murray, DEN at MIA ($3,800): Murray will be starting Sunday with Jameer Nelson out injured. He has shown signs of positive production with playing time, so he makes a good value play even against a tough Heat perimeter defense.
Anthony Davis, NO vs. CHI ($9,900): Davis has averaged 60.6 fantasy points over his last five games, including a high of 75.3, and he'll now face a Bulls defense that has allowed the 17th-most fantasy points to power forwards over the last 10 games.
Andre Iguodala, GS vs. WAS ($5,100): Iguodala has scored 38.8, 28.0, 28.5 and 41.8 fantasy points in his last four games, respectively, including efforts against elite defenses like the Grizzlies and Spurs. On Sunday, he faces a Wizards defense that has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to small forwards over the last 10 games.
T.J. Warren, PHO vs. HOU ($7,100): Warren has averaged 38.6 fantasy points per game over his last four, and he'll now face a Rockets team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to small forwards over the last 10 games and will be without James Harden.
DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs. CHI ($10,200): Cousins has averaged 61.9 fantasy points over his last three games, and in the game before that he topped 75.0 against the best interior defense in the NBA, the Grizzlies. Cousins faces a solid Bulls interior defense on Sunday, but when he's playing like this he's essentially matchup proof.
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. DEN ($7,600): Whiteside has averaged 38.0 fantasy points in his last five games, and he had 52.5 in the prior game. On Sunday, he faces a Nuggets defense that he torched for 57.5 fantasy points in their only meeting this season.
Marquese Chriss, PHO vs. HOU ($5,400): Chriss has had a roller coaster last few weeks, scoring between 26.8 and 45.3 fantasy points in five straight games, then following that with three straight between 13.0 and 19.8 before recovering with 31.5 and 42.8 fantasy points in his last two, respectively. On Sunday, he faces a Rockets defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to power forwards over the last 10 games.
