This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defenses to Avoid:
Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks:
The Bucks defense has struggled mightily this season, but that's the true calling card for this young roster. Last season, Milwaukee ranked fifth in field-goal percentage allowed and eighth in points per game allowed. They also led the league in steals and turnovers forced last season and that can be attributed to the ridiculous length the Bucks feature across the floor. On Friday, they'll face a weak Knicks roster that relies heavily on superstar Carmelo Anthony and he'll likely struggle to find his stroke with the length of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton guarding him.
Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic:
The Raptors have been one of the best defensive teams in the league this season, ranking third in field-goal percentage allowed. The Magic will be without center Nikola Vucevic (knee) and that could be a major problem for Orlando, as the Raptors' only weakness is in their frontcourt. Look for Toronto to continue their strong defensive form, as the Magic will throw out an offensively weak lineup with Elfrid Payton and Dewayne Dedmon.
Offenses to Use:
Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers:
There are three obvious offenses to use today (Hawks, Warriors and Rockets), but the Nets provide an underrated option to help save salary cap space. The three other options are facing some of the worst defenses in the league, but the Lakers are probably the worst defense in the NBA. So far this season, the Lakers have allowed a league-leading 116.8 points per game and a dreadful 49 percent field-goal percentage. The scariest stat is that they have forced only 11.8 turnovers per game, which is dead last by a big margin (the Pelicans rank second with 15 per game). Another ugly stat is that the Lakers have allowed over 43 points per game in the paint and that's easily one of the worst in the league. Go ahead and stick some cheap Nets into your lineups in a very good matchup on Friday.
Teams on Back-to-Back Sets:
First Game: Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards
Second Game: Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat
DraftKings.com Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
T.J. McConnell vs. CLE ($4,000): Not many people know about this kid, but he's a stat stuffing machine in an offense that needs stats to be stuffed. McConnell was given his first start of the season Wednesday and had a fantastic outing, tallying seven points, nine rebounds and 12 assists in a loss to the Bucks. His game before that was very similar when he totaled six points, seven rebounds and 12 assists against the Cavs.. He showed this form in the preseason as well and it's clear that he has carried it over into the early part of the season. At just $4,000, McConnell is a fantastic bargain. This will likely be the last game his price will be so low. The one concern I would have is a blowout loss to Cleveland, but he very well may play 30-plus minutes even in a lopsided game.
Other suggestions:Ty Lawson at SAC ($6,100); Jarrett Jack vs. LAL ($5,700); Jerryd Bayless at NYK ($4,200)
Shooting Guard
Marcus Thornton vs. SAC ($4,000): It seemed like Thornton was going to play very little for the Rockets this season, but a rash of injuries has opened up a starting role for the veteran. Over his last three games, Thornton has averaged 17 points, four rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes per game. With Patrick Beverley and Terrence Jones expected to miss Friday's game, Thornton is in line to see another 25-plus minutes again. This is a good matchup against the Kings as well, as it should be one of the highest scoring games of the night. The $4,000 price tag is ridiculously cheap for a player performing this well and he's a must-use until his role changes when the Rockets inevitably get healthier.
Other suggestions:Klay Thompson vs. DEN ($6,900); Kyle Korver at NOP ($4,400)
Small Forward
Trevor Ariza vs. SAC ($5,400): Ariza is always an undervalued asset for fantasy owners. With the Rockets losing all of their power forwards to injury, Ariza has been asked to take over at the four, and he has been providing all across the board. Over his last four games, he is averaging 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals per game, with a 19 point, seven-rebound, three-steal game in his last outing against the Magic. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but they get the job done. With all the injuries the Rockets have, Ariza could play close to 40 minutes in what should be an up-tempo and high scoring matchup.
Other suggestions:Jae Crowder vs. WSH ($4,500); Aaron Gordon vs. TOR ($4,000)
Power Forward
Thaddeus Young vs. LAL ($5,600): Young is very similar to Ariza and they could put up very similar stat lines Friday. While Ariza will likely provide more scoring, Young should provide more rebounding. Much like Ariza, Young is one of the best thieves in the NBA and has the ability to record three-plus steals on any given night. This is the perfect matchup for a player like Young, as he'll be facing the worst defense in the NBA and one of the most dysfunctional offenses. In addition, Young should see well over 30 minutes in this game with the lack of depth in Brooklyn's frontcourt. These are two winless teams battling it out and Brooklyn will not be afraid to give Young all the minutes he can handle to grab that first elusive win. With Jared Sullinger ($5,300) in the same price range as Young, he makes for a fantastic play at just $5,600.
Other suggestions:Markieff Morris vs. DET ($6,200); Luis Scola at ORL ($3,800)
Center
Dewayne Dedmon vs. TOR ($3,000): It's not every day that a minimum priced player has a prime opportunity to see 20-plus minutes with double-double potential. We have that here with Dedmon thanks to a knee injury to starting center Nikola Vucevic. Dedmon filled in for the injured Vucevic in Wednesday's loss to Houston and tallied four points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 26 minutes. What makes Dedmon so special is his ability to rebound and block shots. Last season he had 16 games playing at least 20 minutes, grabbing at least seven rebounds in 13 of them and racking up 24 blocks. He should easily see 20 minutes Friday in the absence of Vucevic and that makes him an excellent value.
Other suggestions:Andre Drummond at PHX ($8,900); Dwight Howard at SAC ($7,100)
Injury Report
Out
Iman Shumpert – CLE (wrist)
Kyrie Irving – CLE (knee)
Wilson Chandler – DEN (hip)
Jusuf Nurkic – DEN (knee)
Brandon Jennings – DET (knee)
Jodie Meeks – DET (back)
Patrick Beverley – HOU (concussion)
Donatas Motiejunas – HOU (back)
Terrence Jones – HOU (eye)
O.J. Mayo – MIL (hamstring)
Kendrick Perkins – NOP (pectoral)
Tyreke Evans- NOP (knee)
Norris Cole – NOP (ankle)
Quincy Pondexter – NOP (knee)
Nikola Vucevic – ORL (knee)
Tony Wroten – PHI (knee)
Robert Covington - PHI (knee)
Game-Time Decision
Kyle Korver – ATL (ankle)
Mike Muscala – ATL (ankle)
Thabo Sefolosha - ATL (fibula)
Jeff Teague – ATL (finger)
Amir Johnson – BOS (ankle)
Marcus Smart – BOS (toe)
J.R. Smith – CLE (knee)
Nikola Jokic – DEN (back)
Joffrey Lauvergne – DEN (back)
Andrew Bogut – GS (concussion)
Chuck Hayes – HOU (foot)
Corey Brewer – HOU (thigh)
C.J. Miles – IND (ankle)
Ian Mahinmi – IND (back)
Mario Chalmers -MIA (ankle)
Gerald Green – MIA (unknown)
Dwyane Wade - MIA (illness)
Amar'e Stoudemire – MIA (knee)
Michael Carter-Williams – MIL (ankle)
John Henson – MIL (Achilles)
Omer Asik – NOP (calf)
Arron Afflalo – NYK (hamstring)
Louis Amundson – NYK (back)
Markieff Morris – PHX (illness)
DeMarcus Cousins – SAC (Achilles)
