This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Miami Heat at New York Knicks
The Heat are not getting the credit they deserve for the stellar defense they have been playing this season. Miami ranks second in the NBA in defensive efficiency, as well as second in points allowed. They also rank 27th in the league in pace, which makes them even tougher to play. Much of that defensive success has to be credited to big man, Hassan Whiteside, who is leading the NBA with nearly five blocks per game, almost two per game more than the next highest player. The Heat stifled these Knicks on Monday, holding them to 78 points on 32 percent shooting and stifled them by allowing them to shoot just 32 percent in that game en route to a terrible 78 points.
Offenses to Use:
Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings
There are a couple obvious selections for offenses to use, like the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers, but the Timberwolves get to face off against the Kings on Friday and that's fantasy gold for any offense. Not only do the Kings allow the second-most in points, they are first in pace. The Timberwolves are happy to play at an up-tempo pace, as they rank in the top 10 in that category and there should easily be at least 100 possessions for each team. The Kings might be without superstar DeMarcus Cousins, who is one of their only decent defenders.
Teams on Back-to-Back Sets:
First Game: Cavaliers, Hawks, Kings, Nuggets, Pelicans Spurs, Warriors, Wizards
Second Game: None
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Derrick Rose, CHI at IND ($6,000): Many fantasy owners shy away from Rose because of his injury history, but he still shows some flashes of his MVP form. Rose got off to a rough start this season, but he is averaging 17.0 points, 6.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and nearly a block and a steal per game over his last six. Even better, he is averaging nearly 35 minutes and taking over 17 shots per game. That's solid volume and it's hard to find a player with that sort of usage rate at just $6,000.
Other suggestions:Reggie Jackson, DET at OKC ($7,200); Goran Dragic, MIA at NYK ($5,100)
Shooting Guard
Andrew Wiggins, MIN at SAC ($7,100): Wiggins struggled in his first four four games this season but is averaging 25.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game since then. That's over 35 fantasy points per game, which is great value for a player at this price. The matchup is the icing on the cake though, as the Kings allow the most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season. They also rank as the highest-paced team in the league, which benefits a high-flying youngster like Wiggins.
Other suggestions:James Harden, HOU vs. PHI ($10,100); Danny Green, SAS at DEN ($4,500)
Small Forward
Robert Covington, PHI at HOU ($5,100): Covington is averaging 16.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.7 steals, 2.7 three-pointers and 1.0 block in 34 minutes per game over this last three. On Friday, he gets to face a Houston defense that allows the third-most points per game overall and second-most fantasy points to small forwards.
Other suggestions:Trevor Ariza, HOU vs. PHI ($5,700); Rudy Gay, SAC vs. MIN ($7,200)
Power Forward
Zach Randolph vs. ATL ($6,200): Randolph did not play Tuesday despite being active, and he was held out Wednesday because of his knee injury. His salary has dropped due to the absences, but he has a fantastic matchup Friday if he returns. Usually the Hawks looks like a tough assignment, but their post defense has been very poor this season. Atlanta ranks 28th in the NBA in rebounding, which is Randolph's forte. They also rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to power forwards because of their lack of height in the frontcourt.
Other suggestions:Kevin Love, CLE at CHA ($8,300); Markieff Morris, PHX vs. GS ($5,500)
Center
Al Horford, ATL at MEM ($6,800): Memphis is actually a really tough matchup for big men, but this is a great opportunity for Horford. Not only is his price dropping, but he should be leaned on to carry the offense and rebound. Paul Millsap will be tied up with Randolph all game and that should open up things for Horford, who is averaging 16.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season. Most people will be scared off Horford because of the matchup, but that also makes him a solid contrarian play for GPPs.
Other suggestions:Marc Gasol, MEM vs. ATL ($7,200); Greg Monroe, MIL at ORL ($7,100)
Injury Report:
Out:
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - CHA (shoulder)
Aaron Brooks – CHI (hamstring)
Timofey Mozgov – CLE (shoulder)
Kyrie Irving – CLE ( knee)
Wilson Chandler – DEN (hip)
Jusuf Nurkic – DEN (knee)
Kenneth Faried – DEN (ankle)
Brandon Jennings – DET (knee)
Jodie Meeks – DET (back)
Donatas Motiejunas – HOU (back)
Myles Turner – IND (hand)
Kendrick Perkins – NOP (pectoral)
Tyreke Evans- NOP (knee)
Norris Cole – NOP (ankle)
Quincy Pondexter – NOP (knee)
Tony Wroten – PHI (knee)
Manu Ginobili - SAN (age)
Tim Duncan – SAN (age)
Jonas Valanciunas – TOR (hand)
Game-Time Decision:
Tiago Splitter – ATL (hip)
Kent Bazemore – ATL (ankle)
P.J. Hairston – CHA (head)
Matthew Dellavedova – CLE (calf)
JaVale McGee – DAL (leg)
Charlie Villanueva – DAL (foot)
Chandler Parsons – DAL (legs)
Joffrey Lauvergne – DEN (back)
Andrew Bogut – GS (back)
Rodney Stuckey – IND (ankle)
Brandan Wright – MEM (knee)
Zach Randolph – MEM (knee)
Luol Deng – MIA (hamstring)
Ricky Rubio – MIN (ankle)
Nemanja Bjelica – MIN (knee)
Omer Asik – NOP (calf)
Jrue Holiday – NOP (legs)
Lou Amundson – NYK (back)
C.J. Watson – ORL (calf)
Nik Stauskas – PHI (knee)
Eric Bledsoe – PHX (leg)
Tyson Chandler – PHX (illness)
DeMarcus Cousins – SAC (leg/back)
Trey Burke – UTA (back)
