Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Heat are a stifling defense, dominating at four positions; they are first in the NBA in limiting production to opposing point guards, sixth against shooting guards, third against power forwards and 10th against centers. The one position of weakness is small forward (25th), which means that Giannis Antetokounmpo could have a good matchup. However, several of the Bucks' starters are not great outside shooters, which means that they'll be relying on scoring at the rim, which could be greatly discouraged by Hassan Whiteside.
Offenses to Use
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
This game brings joy. Pretty much every position has a plus matchup for one team or the other. These teams rank 26th and 17th against opposing point guards, 18th and 10th against shooting guards, 17th and 18th against small forwards, seventh and 15th against power forwards and 27th and 24th against centers, respectively. Barring a blowout, pretty much every major skill-position player on both teams should be in for a good night.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Heat, Timberwolves, Thunder
Second game: Pelicans
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Ricky Rubio, MIN at NOP: If you're not going to pay up for Russell Westbrook, Rubio is the impact point guard with the best matchup Tuesday. Rubio will be facing the Pelicans and their 26th-ranked defense against opposing point guards. Jrue Holiday, Rubio's counterpart, also has a plus matchup but is in the second half of a back-to-back and may lose a few minutes if Tyreke Evans is able to return.
Other suggestions: Jrue Holiday, NOP vs. MIN ($6,000); Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN vs OKC ($5,400)
Shooting Guard
Monta Ellis, IND at PHO ($6,500): Ellis is playing de facto point guard for the Pacers while George Hill deals with a personal issue, and the Suns are 30th in the NBA in production allowed to opposing point guards. Even if Hill returns, the Suns are 24th in the NBA against shooting guards, so Ellis would still have an very good matchup.
Other suggestions: Tyler Johnson, MIA vs MIL ($5,100); Will Barton, DEN vs. OKC ($6,100)
Small Forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at MIA ($7,000): Antetokounmpo has been on a tear of late, averaging 17.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 combined steals and blocks per game over his last six. On Tuesday, he faces a Heat defense that is elite at every other position, but only 25th against opposing small forwards.
Other suggestions: Kevin Durant, OKC at DEN ($9,900); Shabazz Muhammad, MIN at NOP ($4,400)
Power Forward
Chris Bosh, MIA vs MIL ($7,600): Bosh is always one of the more reasonably priced impact players on the board, and Tuesday he faces a Bucks team that is terrible (28th in the NBA) at defending opposing power forwards.
Other suggestions: Markieff Morris, PHO vs IND ($4,800); Serge Ibaka, OKC at DEN ($5,900)
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at NOP ($6,800): Towns has the best matchup of the day among impact centers, facing a Pelicans defense that is 27th against centers. Even so, he barely beats out Hassan Whiteside, who loves to block shots and is facing a Bucks team that loves to drive to the rim.
Other suggestions: Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs MIL ($7,500); Gorgui Dieng, MIN at NOP ($4,100)
Injury Report
Out
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN (ankle, knee)
Rodney Stuckey, IND (foot)
Ian Mahinmi, IND (heel)
Goran Dragic, MIA (calf)
Beno Udrih, MIA (neck)
Josh McRoberts, MIA (knee)
Chris Andersen, MIA (knee)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
Ronnie Price, PHO (foot)
Game-Time Decision
Jameer Nelson, DEN (wrist)
George Hill, IND (personal)
Dwyane Wade, MIA (shoulder)
Gerald Green, MIA (knee)
O.J. Mayo, MIL (hamstring)
Tyreke Evans, NO (knee)
Alex Len, PHO (hand)
