This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Los Angeles Clippers, at Phoenix Suns: There's no clear-cut defense to designate in this spot Thursday, particularly with late-season unpredictability kicking in over recent games league-wide. However, Los Angeles did hold the Suns to 98 points in their first two meetings this season, and although they did give up 124 points to the Wizards in a Wednesday shootout, they'd held their previous three opponents to under 100 points (despite losing two of those games by a combined three points).
Offense To Use
Minnesota Timberwolves, vs. L.A. Lakers: Realistically, the Clippers and Rockets are also very good candidates for this designation, but the Timberwolves present matchup problems all over the court for a Lakers squad that surrenders the third-most points (112.1) per game and a league-high 48.3 field-goal percentage. Los Angeles ranks either worst or in the bottom five against every position except shooting guard (which isn't currently a strength of the T-Wolves anyhow), and has already yielded 125 and 119 points to Minnesota in their first two meetings this season.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Pistons, Cavaliers, Rockets
Second game of a back-to-back: Clippers
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. CLE ($10,000): James Harden ($12,400) and Chris Paul ($8,600) are also excellent options above and below Butler's hefty price tag, but Jimmy Buckets could offer the best bang for the buck when it's all said and done. To begin with, he'll come in with a full three days of rest, which is priceless at this point in the season. He's also averaged 50.3 fantasy points versus the Cavs over three games this season and boasts a 26.6 percent usage rate, 1.38 DraftKings points per minute and between 45.75 and 68.75 fantasy points since Dwyane Wade's first missed game with his elbow injury back on March 17. The Cavs also continue to struggle against small forwards (see Kawhi Leonard's Monday effort against them for the latest evidence), as they give up the fifth-most fantasy points (45.7) to the position on the season, along with the fourth-most rebounds (8.3), most assists (3.8) and second-most steals (1.8).
Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. LAL ($7,800): If you need to save a couple of hundred, C.J. McCollum ($7,600) is also very viable in this spot. However, Rubio draws a Lakers defense that's surrendered the second-most fantasy points on the season (56.2) and the last five games (63.4) to point guards. Particularly relevant in the case of a masterful ball distributor like Rubio is the fact that they've also yielded a league-high 10.1 assists to the position, while surrendering the highest field-goal percentage (46.7) as well. Rubio checks in averaging 45.6 fantasy points against the Lakers across two previous games and has averaged 38.3 fantasy points over his last four games overall.
J.J. Redick, LAC at PHO ($4,300): Ish Smith ($6,100) is in a great spot against the Nets if you've got the cash to move up, but Redick brings very appealing upside for his price. That was most recently on display Wednesday when he scored 35.5 fantasy points in a shootout against the Wizards, and he's also scored at least 23.25 fantasy points and as much as 35.25 in four other games over the previous nine. He's averaged a solid 24.9 fantasy points in three games versus the Suns this season as well while shooting 50 percent from the field, and Phoenix checks in allowing 21.6 points and 2.8 made three-pointers per game to two-guards.
LeBron James, CLE at CHI ($10,100): For those looking to save the extra $2K, Blake Griffin ($8,100) is also in an excellent spot against the Suns' sieve-like defense, but James figures to come out firing considering the Cavs' recent play. He's had two full days of rest since their Monday debacle against the Spurs and faces a Bulls squad that he's averaged 51.1 fantasy points against over two meetings this season. Outside of double-digit losses to the Spurs and Nuggets recently, he's also been a fantasy-point machine, scoring between 48.25 and 66.5 fantasy points in eight other games over the last 10. That stretch includes four contests in which he's reached or exceeded the 60-threshold, while the Bulls also rank in the bottom 10 in rebounds (8.1), assists (3.7), steals (1.7) and field-goal percentage (46.6) surrendered to small forwards.
Gorgui Dieng, MIN vs. LAL ($5,900): Tobias Harris ($6,000) is a nice pivot off Dieng if you want to go that route, but the T-Wolves' big man checks in having scored between 32.5 and 36.75 fantasy points over his last three and averaging a solid 29.8 fantasy points over the last four. The Lakers also represent the best matchup in the league for power forwards, as they've surrendered the most fantasy points (51.6), rebounds (12.8) and steals (1.7) to the position, while also ranking in the bottom five or 10 in several other categories.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. HOU ($4,500): Aminu is averaging a solid 23.9 fantasy points at home this season and has scored between 25.25 and 29.75 fantasy points in three of his last four games. His offensive involvement does fluctuate, but his work on the glass is about as steady as they come. Aminu has hauled in between seven and 12 rebounds in eight of the last 10 games and faces a Rockets squad that's surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points (50.0) over the last 10 games and the second-highest field-goal percentage (49.8) on the season to power forwards.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. LAL ($10,900): While the possibility of a blowout scenario does exist, it's hard not to pull the trigger on a player like Towns, even at his hefty price, in a matchup against the Lakers. He just steamrolled this squad for 54.25 fantasy points on March 24 and posted 60 fantasy points against the Pacers on Tuesday night. That marked the third time in the previous nine games that Towns had hit the 60-mark, and he's also eclipsed 50 fantasy points twice during that stretch. The Lakers surrender the second-most fantasy points (55.2) to centers on the season, the third-most over the last five (60.6) and fifth-most (61.2) over the last 10, while also ranking in the bottom five or 10 in virtually every other category against the position.
Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. HOU ($8,000): Nurkic is coming off a spectacular 62-fantasy-point performance against his former Nuggets teammates on Tuesday, but that's not the only reason for his selection. Outside of an outlier against the Pelicans on March 14, Nurkic has scored no less than 33.25 fantasy points in the nine other games over the last 10, eclipsing the 40-mark twice over that span. The Rockets have been vulnerable in the paint all season as well, surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points (53.4) to centers, along with averages of 21.1 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists (second-most in the league), 2.6 blocks (most in the league) and 1.5 steals.
Aron Baynes, DET vs. BKN ($3,500): Baynes makes for a viable dart throw if you need to save some serious cash, as he brings some upside at his price. He's scored between 18.25 and 35.75 fantasy points in three games over the last eight and could see a few extra minutes as the Pistons play on their third game in four nights. He also draws a Nets squad that's surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points (52.8) to centers on the season and an even more generous 55.2 over the last five contests.
INJURY REPORT
For the latest news on injured players heading into the games, check out our Injury Updates page.
