This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Heat are strong across the board on defense except at small forward. They are third in the NBA against opposing point guards, fifth against shooting guards, 20th against small forwards, sixth against power forwards and 14th against centers. This Grizzlies' Marc Gasol is a handful at center, but Hassan Whiteside should make his life difficult.
Offenses to Use:
Atlanta Hawks at Houston Rockets
The Rockets are weak across the board on defense, but they're truly terrible defending the perimeter. The Rockets are 27th at defending opposing point guards, 19th against shooting guards, 30th against small forwards, 15th against power forwards and 16th against centers. Jeff Teague and Kent Bazemore, in particular, have excellent match-ups.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Nuggets
Second game: Hawks, Cavaliers, Heat, Bucks
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Jeff Teague, ATL at HOU ($6,300): Teague is a high-volatility fantasy points producer. His season-long average is 30.1 fantasy points per game but over his last five he averaged 28.9 per game thanks to outputs of 17.0, 30.5, 51.0, 29.5 and 29.75, respectively. Thus, the matchup could be a very big influence on Teague's expected output. On Tuesday he has a great matchup against a Rockets defense that is 27th in the NBA at limiting fantasy points of opposing point guards.
Other suggestions: Matthew Dellavedova, CLE at DEN ($4,800); Reggie Jackson, DET at NY ($7,300)
Shooting Guard
Will Barton , DEN vs. CLE ($6,900): Barton has become the primary impact player on the Nuggets, especially with Danilo Gallinari struggling with a sprained ankle. He has averaged 20.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists for 37.2 fantasy points per game over the last six. On Tuesday he'll get a Cavaliers defense that is 20th at defending opposing shooting guards, is on the second half of a back-to-back and will be playing at altitude in Denver.
Other suggestions: Khris Middleton, MIL at OKC ($6,100); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($5,200)
Small Forward
Kent Bazemore, ATL at HOU ($5,300): Bazemore is averaging 25.1 fantasy points per game this season, 23.7 per game over his last five, and he has scored in the 20s in seven of his last 10 games (his other three were 18.25, 31.5 and 41.75). Bazemore's production is pretty consistent, and on Tuesday he has a great matchup against a Rockets team that ranks last in the NBA at defending opposing small forwards.
Other suggestions: Kevin Durant, OKC vs. MIL ($10,000); LeBron James, CLE at DEN ($9,600)
Power Forward
Serge Ibaka, OKC vs. MIL ($6,600): Ibaka is averaging 28.8 fantasy points per game this season, including 28.9 per game over his last six outings. On Tuesday he faces a Bucks defense that is 29th in the NBA against opposing power forwards.
Other suggestions: Zach Randolph, MEM vs. MIA ($5,900); Chris Bosh, MIA at MEM ($7,100)
Center
Dwight Howard, HOU vs. ATL ($6,500): Howard is one of five centers in the $6,000-$7,000 range and each have the potential to put up big production on a given day. Of the group, Whiteside has the best matchup, though he played through illness Monday night and there's no telling what his health will be on Tuesday. Of the remainders, Howard and Al Horford have similar salaries and similar competition (each other). Howard gets the call because he's playing at home, but the two could be close in production.
Other suggestions: Al Horford, ATL at HOU ($6,300), Hassan Whiteside, MIA at MEM ($7,000)
Injury Report
Out
Tiago Splitter, ATL (calf)
Kyrie Irving, CLE (knee, rest)
Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN (ankle)
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN (knee)
Danilo Gallinari, DEN (ankle)
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Brandon Jennings, DET (Achilles)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Matt Barnes, MEM (suspended)
Josh McRoberts, MIA (knee)
Justise Winslow, MIA (ankle)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
Terrence Jones, HOU (illness)
Dwyane Wade, MIA (hip)
Hassan Whiteside, MIA (illness)
John Henson, MIL (elbow)
Lou Amundson, NY (back)
