This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Miami Heat vs Detroit Pistons
The Heat are strong across the board on defense except at small forward. They are second in the NBA at limiting production to opposing point guards, sixth against shooting guards, 23rd against small forwards, third against power forwards and 13th against centers. The Pistons' Andre Drummond is a handful at center, but Hassan Whiteside should make even his life difficult.
Offenses to Use:
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are the worst defense on the board Tuesday night, and they are weak almost uniformly across the board. They are 26th at limiting production from opposing point guards, 12th against shooting guards, 28th against small forwards, a surprising fifth against power forwards, but a terrible 29th against opposing centers.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Lakers, Grizzlies, 76ers
Second game: None
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Jameer Nelson, DEN vs. LAL ($5,400): Nelson is a solid low-cost productive starter while Emmanuel Mudiay (ankle) is out. Nelson averaged 30.6 fantasy points per game over his last five, and on Tuesday faces a Lakers team that is 26th in the NBA at limiting production to opposing point guards.
Other suggestions: Lou Williams, LAL at DEN ($5,400), Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. DAL ($8,300)
Shooting Guard
Will Barton, DEN vs. LAL ($6,600): Barton has become the primary impact player on the Nuggets, especially with Danilo Gallinari struggling with a sprained ankle. He averaged 19.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals for 37.7 fantasy points per game over the last five, including a 58-fantasy-point explosion in his last outing against the Pelicans.
Other suggestions: Raymond Felton, DAL at TOR ($5,400), DeMar DeRozan TOR vs. DAL ($7,400)
Small Forward
James Johnson, TOR vs. DAL ($3,900): Johnson has moved back into starting lineup, replacing Terrence Ross, who was replacing DeMarre Carroll. Johnson always tends to put up good production when he gets minutes, and this stint has been no different, as he is averaging 27.1 fantasy points per game in his two starts.
Other suggestions: Matt Barnes, MEM at PHI ($5,500), Marcus Morris, DET at MIA ($5,500)
Power Forward
Chris Bosh, TOR vs. DAL ($7,000): Bosh headlines an unimpressive list of power forwards on Tuesday. There aren't any obviously undervalued player, nor any facing an obviously terrible defense. Bosh earns this slot on the strength of his ability to pop for 45.5 fantasy points (as he did on Sunday) in any given game. He's the highest priced power forward on the board, but at only $7,000 he is still very reasonably priced if he's in impact mode.
Other suggestions: Dirk Nowitzki, DAL at TOR ($6,400), Julius Randle, LAL at DEN ($6,000)
Center
Marc Gasol, MEM at PHI ($7,500): Gasol, on the other hand, is one of several very strong center options available Tuesday. He earns this space on the strength of two 50+ fantasy point efforts last week, including 50.5 in his last outing, and because he is facing a 76ers defense that is awful against opposing centers.
Other suggestions: Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. DET ($6,800), Jahlil Okafor, PHI vs. MEM ($6,500)
Injury Report
Out
Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN (ankle)
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN (knee)
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Tyler Johnson, MIA (shoulder)
Carl Landry, PHI (wrist)
DeMarre Carroll, TOR (knee)
Game-Time Decision
Devin Harris, DAL (hamstring)
Danilo Gallinari, DEN (ankle)
Darrell Arthur, DEN (knee)
Brandon Jennings, DET (Achilles)
Kobe Bryant, LAL (shoulder)
Tony Allen, MEM (knee)
Josh McRoberts, MIA (knee)
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR (hand)
