This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
None.: The best team in the West (Warriors) takes on the hottest team in the East (Cavaliers). The new-look Thunder visit the new-look Suns in a major battle ripe with playoff implications. The Warriors are usually a team worth avoiding, but the Cavaliers have been too good lately to ignore. There are still many rotation uncertainties in the Thunder-Suns matchup, but those uncertainties cut both ways. While some players may suffer, others will experience new opportunities increasing their fantasy value. These are games worth watching and enjoying. But there is no one scorching defense, or flailing offense, that needs to be avoided.
Offenses to Use
Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns
The Suns' defense is by far the worst of the four teams in action Thursday, especially lately. Over their last 10 games, they are the only one who ranks outside the top 10 in opponent points per possession. They rank in the bottom 10. The Suns are below-average perimeter defenders, below average interior defenders, and force a barely average number of turnovers. On top of that, many of the Thunder's rotation players' salaries have not yet reached their new equilibrium following the trade deadline movement.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder
Second game of a back-to-back: Phoenix Suns
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
If you've never played on DraftKings before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article.
Point Guard
Stephen Curry, GS (at CLE), PG, ($9,800): Curry's price is $500 cheaper than it was in his last game before the All-Star break, despite the fact that he has combined for over 100 fantasy points in his two post-break games. That discount becomes extra sweet when added to Thursday's context. The Cavaliers don't have guards capable of defending Curry, and the short slate of games typically means that fewer fantasy points are required to win on DraftKings.
Russell Westbrook, OKC (at PHO), PG, ($11,300): Westbrook's price is sky-high, but as mentioned above, Thursday's bar is a little lower than on normal nights. There are only seven options to choose from, and most are actively undesirable. So while Westbrook is unlikely to earn a profitable p/K (points per thousand dollars in salary), he might earn enough total points to make that kind of measurable profitability irrelevant.
Other suggestions: None
Shooting Guard
Iman Shumpert, CLE (vs GS), SG, ($3,500): In order to spend big on point guards, we'll need to save money elsewhere. Shumpert is averaging 27 minutes per game since the break, which is a giant workload for a player at this salary. He's managed to parlay those minutes into 21.5 fantasy points per night, despite making only one third of his field goals during that span. Even if his shooting struggles continue, his price, his workload, and his ability to contribute across a variety of categories make Shumpert a desirable pickup Thursday.
Other suggestions: Anthony Morrow, OKC (at PHO), SG, ($3,400); JR Smith, CLE (vs GS), SG, ($5,000)
Small Forward
Andre Iguodala, GS (at CLE), SF, ($3,900): Is Iguodala's recent hot streak for real or an aberration? Fortunately, for a price this low, daily gamers can afford to take the gamble and find out. Since Iguodala's court time has been consistent, the main change is the recent uptick in productivity. Before the break, a normal night for Iguodala consisted of approximately 15 to 20 fantasy points. That alone would make using him worthwhile.
Other suggestions: Harrison Barnes, GS (at CLE), SF, ($3,800)
Power Forward
Kevin Love, CLE (vs GS), PF, ($7,800): It took a few months, but Love's price tag is finally in a range that matches his production this season. He's a better rebounder than the Warriors players likely to be tasked with boxing him out. Love has been inconsistent from night to night this season, but on his better nights, he scores more than enough to justify this salary.
Other suggestions: Serge Ibaka, OKC (at PHO), PF, ($7,900)
Center
Enes Kanter, OKC (at PHO), C, ($5,900): After spending the first half of the season in a losing battle for court time on the Jazz, The Thunder have unleashed Kanter. Kanter has a game well-suited to daily games – specifically, his greatest skills are scoring and rebounding, which tend to be the most consistent areas of production. With the added court time, Kanter is averaging over 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 30 fantasy points per game since being traded.
Other suggestions: Timofey Mozgov, CLE (vs GS), C, ($5,300)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Anderson Varejao (Achilles)
Shawn Marion (hip)
Steven Adams (hand)
Kevin Durant (foot)
Steve Novak (Appendix)
Game-Time Decision
None.
