This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Washington Wizards
The Cavaliers are the only elite defense playing Tuesday, and they are at home and reasonably rested. The Cavs are sixth in the league at limiting point guard fantasy points (John Wall) and second at limiting opposing centers (Marcin Gortat), which works against two of the best position players on the Wizards. The Cavs are only average at defending the wings, so Bradley Beal and Otto Porter could be reasonable plays, but neither are really advantageous match-ups for the Wizards.
Offenses to Use:
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have consistently been one of the worst defenses in the league (109.2 points allowed per 100 possessions, last in NBA). In fact, usually the biggest reason not to pick the Lakers' opponents is the potential that they blow them out and sit their starters early. But with the winless 76ers on tap, perhaps the game will remain competitive. Philadelphia has come close to winning lately, they have some productive fantasy players and they have to know that this is the best chance to get a win.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Lakers, Pelicans, 76ers, Suns, Wizards
Second game: Mavericks, Trail Blazers
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Isaiah Canaan, PHI vs. LAL ($5,000): Canaan has been playing well, bringing more of a scoring bent to the 76ers lead guard position than T.J. McConnell had been able to provide. He's been a pretty consistent threat to score 30 fantasy points as a starter, which is good value for his price. And he's facing a Lakers team that is a) terrible at stopping opposing point guards and b) is the best chance that the 76ers will have to get their first win any time soon.
Other suggestions:Ish Smith, NO vs. MEM ($6,900), Mike Conley, MEM at NO ($6,700)
Shooting Guard
C.J. McCollum, POR vs DAL ($6,600):Damian Lillard had to leave Monday night's game with abdominal pain, so there's a reasonable chance he doesn't play Tuesday. That would put McCollum firmly in place as the offensive engine for the Trail Blazers, and it would do so against a Mavericks defense that isn't great against opposing shooting guards.
Other suggestions:Jordan Clarkson, LAL at PHI ($5,300), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN vs. DET ($4,700)
Small Forward
T.J. Warren, PHO at BKN ($4,500): Warren has quietly been playing great ball for more than a week, averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 boards, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals in 29.5 minutes per game off the bench over his last four. In his last two outings he is averaging 40.4 fantasy points while playing 32.5 minutes per game.
Other suggestions:Robert Covington, PHI vs. LAL ($6,700), LeBron James, CLE vs. WAS ($9,700)
Power Forward
Julius Randle, LAL at PHI ($6,100): The 76ers-Lakers game really should be fantasy gold, as neither are good defensive teams and both should be motivated to try to get an elusive win. The 76ers are 28th in the NBA at limiting opposing power forwards' fantasy points, while Randle has at least 29 fantasy points in four of his last five games, with a high of 37.5 in that stretch.
Other suggestions:Thaddeus Young, BKN vs. PHO ($7,100); Dirk Nowitzki, DAL at POR ($6,600)
Center
Zaza Pachulia, DAL at POR ($6,000): Pachulia is quietly having an excellent fantasy season. He has five games with at least 32 fantasy points in his last six outings, including three over 40, and he's facing a Trail Blazers defense that is 20th in the NBA at defending opposing centers.
Other suggestions:Jahlil Okafor, PHI vs. LAL ($6,600), Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. ORL ($6,900)
Injury Report
Out
Andrea Bargnani, BKN (hamstring)
Kyrie Irving, CLE (knee)
Iman Shumpert, CLE (wrist)
J.J. Barea, DAL (ankle)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Nikola Pekovic, MIN (Achilles)
Norris Cole, NO (ankle)
Quincy Pondexter, NO (knee)
Kendrick Perkins, NO (chest)
C.J. Watson, ORL (calf)
Kendall Marshall, PHI (knee)
Tony Wroten, PHI (knee)
Nerlens Noel, PHI (knee)
Chris Kaman, POR (ankle)
Nene Hilario, WAS (calf)
Alan Anderson, WAS (ankle)
Drew Gooden, WAS (calf)
Game-Time Decision
Louis Williams, LAL (bereavement)
Ricky Rubio, MIN (ankle)
Tyreke Evans, NO (knee)
Tyson Chandler, PHO (hamstring)
Damian Lillard, POR (abdominal)
Gary Neal, WAS (groin)
