This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets
The Rockets have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NBA, but this Spurs defense is something special. They rank first in points allowed, efficiency, field-goal percentage allowed and three-pointers allowed. In fact, they only allow 89 points per game, which is six points better than the second-ranked team. Many people will want to look at players like James Harden, Trevor Ariza and Dwight Howard in such a small slate, but considering the Rockets live off three-pointers and the Spurs thrive off of not allowing threes, this could be a nightmare outing for Houston.
Offense to Use:
Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Six of the top seven teams based on defensive rating play Friday, so using players against the Pelicans is a must. New Orleans ranks 29th in defensive efficiency and points allowed. The only team that ranks lower is the Los Angeles Lakers, who are also worth stacking against. What is so enticing about the Heat is that their studs are relatively low priced and are high-volume players. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic are all $7,100 or below and those are fantastic values in a matchup like this.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Bulls, Cavaliers, Clippers, Heat Pelicans, Rockets, Spurs
Second game: None
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard:
Goran Dragic, MIA vs. NOP ($5,500): Dragic is a bit of a question mark coming into the game, but he said Thursday that he'll probably play. That makes him a fantastic choice on Christmas with the horrible defense he is squaring off against. The Pelicans allow the third-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season and Dragic appears to be finding his form. Over his last four games, he has not scored below 28 fantasy points even though he is shooting under 50 percent. That's significant because it means that he is stuffing the stat sheet and won't have to rely on his jumper with his injured hand. The price is the icing on the cake though, as he's the seventh-ranked point guard with only 10 teams playing. If he does miss the game, Beno Udrih becomes a solid play insetad.
Other Options: Chris Paul, LAC at LAL ($8,600); Lou Williams, LAL vs. LAC ($5,400)
Shooting Guard:
Danny Green, SAS at HOU ($3,800): Green is not an exciting player and has been struggling mightily this season. He has been hovering in the teens in fantasy points per game and has yet to get his shot going. The minutes and shots are still there and this is the type of matchup where he can get it going. He faces a bad defense in Houston, who allow the sixth-most three-point attempts per game. The Rockets also rank 28th in turnovers and Green has shown the ability to force turnovers in prior seasons. In an up-tempo game with a ton of three-pointers attempted, Green could have his game of the season at an unbelievably cheap price.
Other Options: Tyreke Evans, NOP at MIA ($7,800); Dwyane Wade, MIA vs. NOP ($6,900)
Small Forward:
LeBron James, CLE at GSW ($10,000): This play doesn't need a whole lot of explanation. Usually the question for using James is how motivated will he be? This is the ultimate motivation game, as he'll be playing the best team in the NBA with Finals revenge on his mind. Not to mention, the best player in the world will want to show out on Christmas in front of the whole world. The Warriors have also allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards this season and there's not a single player on that roster who can slow James down.
Other Options: Kawhi Leonard, SAS at HOU ($8,400); Luol Deng, MIA vs. NOP ($5,000)
Power Forward:
Chris Bosh, MIA vs. NOP ($7,000): Bosh's price has dropped too far and it's silly for him to be the fifth-highest priced power forward in a five-game slate. He has been struggling a bit lately, but is still averaging nearly 35 fantasy points per game this season, and he has scored at least 40 fantasy points in four of his last nine games. Bosh faces a Pelicans team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to power forwards over their last 10 games.
Other Options: Serge Ibaka, OKC vs CHI ($6,500); Nikola Mirotic, CHI at OKC ($4,700)
Center:
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at LAL ($6,700): Jordan is not necessarily the type of player I like to use for DFS, but this matchup is too juicy to pass up. He faces the worst defense against centers this season and almost everything is in his advantage. The inefficient nature of the Lakers' offense has allowed opponents to grab the second-most rebounds in the NBA this season. That's fantasy gold for a player like Jordan and he could be in for a 20-rebound night if the Clippers don't completely blow the Lakers out of the building.
Other Options: Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. NOP ($7,100); Tim Duncan, SAN at HOU ($5,500)
Injury Report
Out:
Joakim Noah - CHI (shoulder)
Mike Dunleavy – CHI (back)
Harrison Barnes- GS (ankle)
Sam Dekker- HOU (back)
Quincy Pondexter – NOP (knee)
Game-time decision:
Blake Griffin – LAC (knee)
Paul Pierce – LAC (back)
Austin Rivers – LAC (ankle)
Nick Young – LAL (illness)
Julius Randle – LAL (ankle)
Goran Dragic – MIA (hands)
Tyler Johnson – MIA (shoulder)
Chris Andersen – MIA (illness)
Josh McRoberts – MIA (knee)
Anthony Davis – NOP (illness)
Alexis Ajinca – NOP (calf)
