This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls: The Bulls regained their defensive focus after their blowout loss versus the Cavaliers, destroying the Spurs and holding down the Mavericks in their last two games. Their next challenge are the Heat, who simply lack the firepower to compete with the tops teams. Assuming they keep their focus, the Bulls should be stout defensively, making most players on Miami undesirable.
Offenses to Use
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers: If the Lakers weren't throwing the towel in on the season already, Kobe Bryant's injury may have done it. Byron Scott began giving major minutes to the young players on the roster versus the Spurs, and are primed to do so again versus the Rockets. That should make it fairly easy for all players on Houston to see a boost in value due to the drop in competition.
First game of a back-to-back: Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers
Second game of a back-to-back: Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Patrick Beverley, PG, HOU ($5,100): Beverley is a fairly consistent DraftKings play with a nice average of 25.9 DraftKings points per game. On Sunday, he'll square off against a Lakers team that is tinkering with their lineups, but are still extremely vulnerable defensively. Lock in the Rockets point guard as a solid play to make value on Sunday.
Other suggestions: Stephen Curry (vs. BOS), D.J. Augustin (at TOR)
Shooting Guard
Wayne Ellington, SG, LAL ($3,600): Even against the Rockets, Ellington looks like a good fill-in player for those looking at low-end shooting guards on Sunday. He's posted back-to-back games of 20+ DraftKings points, and has little barrier to receiving minutes with Kobe Bryant out with injury. Even if the game gets out of hand, it's difficult to see him not making value.
Other suggestions: Kyle Korver (vs. MIN), Nick Young (vs. HOU)
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard, SF, SA ($7,800): Against a surprisingly tough Milwaukee squad, it's not a terrible idea to utilize Leonard despite his being the highest priced small forward option. The Bucks rank dead-last against small forwards on the season, and if the game is a competitive one, Leonard surely could rack up some serious DraftKings points.
Other suggestions: Solomon Hill (at ORL), Draymond Green (vs. BOS)
Power Forward
Nene Hilario, PF, WAS ($5,400): Nene, when healthy, is a solid fantasy option. Most big men, when facing the Denver Nuggets, are fantastic fantasy options. The only thing standing between Nene and a solid fantasy outing is his potential workload, but at his price point, the upside is big enough to take a swing on him.
Other suggestions: Paul Millsap (vs. MIN), Greg Monroe (at TOR)
Center
Jonas Valanciunas, C, TOR ($5,800): Valanciunas has had a nice three-game streak going, and he'll look to keep it going against the 30th ranked center defense of the Detroit Pistons. Last time out against the Pistons, he dropped 48.5 DraftKings points, and while it's not likely he does so again, you have to like his odds to make value on Sunday.
Other suggestions: Marcin Gortat (at DEN), DeAndre Jordan (at PHX)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Brandon Jennings (leg)
Jrue Holiday (ankle)
Ricky Rubio (ankle)
Marcus Smart (personal)
Marco Belinelli (groin/abdomen)
Shabazz Muhammad (abdomen)
Terrence Jones (leg)
Larry Sanders (suspension)
Kelly Olynyk (ankle)
JaVale McGee (leg)
Game-Time Decision
Elfrid Payton (knee)
Kevin Martin (wrist)
C.J. Miles (groin) is doubtful.
Ryan Anderson (ankle)
Dwight Howard (ankle)
