This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defenses to Avoid:
Utah Jazz at Orlando Magic
The Jazz are a defense that should be avoided almost every night, as they rank first in the NBA in points allowed, field-goal percentage against and play at the slowest pace. That makes for low-scoring games and defensive grinders that kill fantasy dreams. The reason they have been so successful defensively is because of their gaudy frontcourt. Rudy Gobert (ankle) and Derrick Favors are two of the better defensive big men in the NBA and both of them have been posting solid block and steal numbers so far this season. The Magic will be in for a tough night on Friday as most of their baskets come in the paint. They'll also likely be without playmaker Victor Oladipo, who suffered a concussion in his most recent game. It is a little worrisome that Utah is in the second half of a back-to-back, but defense isn't as effected as offense in those situations. The Raptors are also a defense worth avoiding, as they'll play a Pelicans team without Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans.
Offense to Use:
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Picking on the Lakers is just too easy for DFS purposes. What is so enticing about this particular matchup is that the Mavericks appear to be finding some offensive rhythm, as they have averaged 110 points over their last three games. Wesley Matthews had his best game of the season in the Mavs' last win, tallying 25 points and six rebounds against the Clippers. This is a team with a lot of talent and once they all start clicking, 110 points a night could become a regular occurrence. Matthews, Deron Williams and Zaza Pachulia are all cheap on DraftKings for the Friday slate and any one of them could be a nice sneaky play against the worst defense in the NBA. The Nets also present some nice cheap value plays against a putrid Kings defense.
Teams on Back-to-Back Sets:
First game: Nets, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Rockets, Magic, 76ers
Second game: Timberwolves, Jazz
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard:
Derrick Rose vs. CHA ($5,900): This type of play is certainly risky, but it could pay off in a huge way. Rose appears to be getting more comfortable as the season progresses and he could be coming into his MVP form. His last three games have been especially good, as he is averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game in that span. That includes a blowout win over the 76ers when he played just 28 minutes. Players like Ty Lawson and Mike Conley are in the same price range as Rose, and I would much rather go with the upside of Rose to try to maximize value.
Other Suggestions:Jarrett Jack at SAC ($5,600); D'Angelo Russell at DAL ($4,500)
Shooting Guard:
Wesley Matthews vs. LAL ($4,500): Matthews is the perfect candidate to provide a rainbow line and potentially destroy his tiny price tag. The reason he is so cheap is because he is coming off an Achilles tear and has yet to fully recover and play a full complement of minutes. Playing a season-high 33 minutes in his last game, Matthews had 25 points and six rebounds. Friday's game is a great matchup for Matthews, and if he continues to play over 30 minutes, he will greatly outproduce his meager price.
Other Suggestions:Monta Ellis vs. MIN ($5,700); Arron Afflalo vs. CLE ($4,400)
Small Forward:
Danilo Gallinari vs. HOU ($6,100): The Nuggets forward could be in for another big game Friday, facing a depleted Rockets team that will have Marcus Thornton or James Harden guarding him. Gallinari leads the Nuggets in scoring, taking at least 12 shots in all but one game this season, and the Rockets are dead last in the NBA in fantasy points allowed to small forwards.
Other Suggestions:Joe Johnson at SAC ($5,200); Gordon Hayward at ORL ($6,300)
Power Forward:
Thaddeus Young at SAC ($5,700): The disrespect for Young has gone too far in my opinion and he's always a value below $6,000. Over his last six games, Young is averaging 13.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. Those numbers easily surpass his $5,700 price tag and his matchup Friday makes him an even better play than usual, facing off against a Kings defense that ranks as one of the five worst in the NBA. They also play at an extremely high pace, a perfect recipe for Young to fill the stat sheet.
Other Suggestions:Zach Randolph vs. POR ($6,200); Luis Scola vs. NOP ($4,400)
Center:
Dwight Howard at DEN ($7,400): This is an extremely risky play because Howard is supposed to sit on Friday or Saturday, but if he does play, he should be in line for a huge game. Houston plays Denver, who has one of the smallest frontcourts in the NBA. That should allow Howard to have a field day against J.J. Hickson or Nikola Jokic in the post. In addition, Howard's form has been spectacular of late, averaging 21 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks per game over his last three.
Other Suggestions:Marc Gasol vs. POR ($6,700); Zaza Pachulia vs. LAL ($5,600)
Injury Report
Out:
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - CHA (shoulder)
Iman Shumpert – CLE (wrist)
Kyrie Irving – CLE (knee)
Wilson Chandler – DEN (hip)
Jusuf Nurkic – DEN (knee)
Donatas Motiejunas – HOU (back)
Myles Turner – IND (hand)
Kendrick Perkins – NOP (pectoral)
Tyreke Evans- NOP (knee)
Norris Cole – NOP (ankle)
Quincy Pondexter – NOP (knee)
Kevin Durant – OKC (hamstring)
Tony Wroten – PHI (knee)
Robert Covington - PHI (knee)
Meyers Leonard – POR (shoulder)
Game-Time Decision:
Avery Bradley – BOS (leg)
Marcus Smart – BOS (toe)
Joakim Noah – CHI (knee)
Kirk Hinrich – CHI (toe)
JaVale McGee – DAL (leg)
Nikola Jokic – DEN (back)
Jameer Nelson – DEN (back)
Joffrey Lauvergne – DEN (back)
Rodney Stuckey – IND (ankle)
Kobe Bryant – LAL (age)
Ricky Rubio – MIN (ankle)
Omer Asik – NOP (calf)
Anthony Davis – NOP (hip)
Arron Afflalo – NYK (hamstring)
Louis Amundson – NYK (back)
Victor Oladipo – ORL (concussion)
C.J. Watson – ORL (calf)
Nerlens Noel – PHI (wrist)
Darren Collison – SAC (hamstring)
DeMarre Carroll – TOR (foot)
Rudy Gobert - UTA (ankle)
Bradley Beal – WSH (shoulder)
