DraftKings NBA: Tuesday Cheat Sheet

Written by

Updated on January 12, 2016 7:57AM EST

Team Analysis

Defense to Avoid:
Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs
This is based on a combination of the Pistons' strong defense and San Antonio's schedule. The Pistons are strong defensively against most positions, ranking seventh in limiting production to opposing point guards, 14th against shooting guards, sixth against small forwards, fourth against power forwards and 26th against opposing centers. Thus, the only positions where the Spurs have reasonable matchups are at shooting guard (38-year-old Manu Ginobili) and center (39-year-old Tim Duncan) on the second half of a back-to-back, on the road.

Offenses to Use:
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This game brings joy. Pretty much every position has a plus matchup for BOTH teams. These teams rank 24th and 29th against point guards, 15th and 25th against shooting guards, 22nd and 27th against small forwards, and 28th and 29th against centers, respectively. The only position of good defense is power forward, but three of the five listed power forwards are questionable to play, so it's conceivable that Ryan Anderson and Larry Nance Jr. could be the only legitimate power forwards on the floor.

Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Celtics, Mavericks, Rockets, Pacers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Knicks, Thunder
Second game: Bulls, Spurs

Daily Player Recommendations

Point Guard
Jrue Holiday, NOP at LAL ($6,000): Holiday is off his minutes restriction and is playing great ball. He averaged 17.2 points, 5.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 31.4 minutes per game in his last five, and he had 29 points, 11 rebounds and four assists Sunday against the Clippers. On Tuesday, he faces a Lakers defense that is terrible at defending opposing point guards.

Other suggestions: Kyrie Irving, CLE at DAL ($7,000); Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. HOU ($5,900, if Mike Conley doesn't play)

Shooting Guard
Lou Williams, LAL vs. NOP ($6,400): Williams has two scored at least 50 fantasy points twice in his last five games, including his 44-point explosion Friday against the Thunder. Kobe Bryant is questionable to play with an Achilles injury, and when he sits Williams inherits a chunk of his shots. The Pelicans are one of the worst defenses in the league against opposing guards.

Other suggestions: Tyreke Evans, NOP at LAL ($8,100); Monta Ellis, IND vs. PHO ($6,300)

Small Forward
Tony Allen, MEM vs HOU ($4,900): Allen has been getting extra minutes in place of Courtney Lee (hip), and if Lee sits again Allen will have another chance to produce. He averaged 12.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 35 minutes per game in his last two, and on Tuesday he faces a Rockets defense that struggles against opposing wings.

Other suggestions: Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. CHI ($6,300); Shabazz Muhammad, MIN vs. OKC ($4,000)

Power Forward
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs BOS ($6,900): Porzingis has scored at least 35 points thrice in his last four games, including two in a row against the Spurs and Bucks. On Tuesday, he will face an undersized Celtics defense that is 27th in the NBA at defending opposing power forwards.

Other suggestions: Kevin Love, CLE at DAL ($7,400); Zach Randolph, MEM vs. HOU ($6,500)

Center
Greg Monroe, MIL vs. CHI ($6,600): Monroe has scored at least 33 fantasy points in four of his last five games, including a double-double last Tuesday in the second half of a back-to-back in Chicago. On Tuesday he faces that same Bulls defense, this time at home after a day off. The Bulls are still last in the NBA at defending opposing centers, which should give Monroe a chance to put up good numbers.

Other suggestions: Andre Drummond, DET vs. SAS ($8,800); Marc Gasol, MEM vs. HOU ($7,200)

Injury Report

Out
Mike Dunleavy, CHI (back)
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Ty Lawson, HOU (suspension)
Donatas Motiejunas, HOU (back)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
Jerryd Bayless, MIL (ankle)
O.J. Mayo, MIL (hamstring)
Cleanthony Early, NY (knee)
Alex Len, PHO (hand)

Game-Time Decision
Marcus Morris, DET (knee)
D'Angelo Russell, LAL (ankle)
Kobe Bryant, LAL (Achilles)
Julius Randle, LAL (foot)
Brandon Bass, LAL (eye)
Mike Conley, MEM (Achilles)
Matt Barnes, MEM (thumb)
Anthony Davis, NO (back)
Ronnie Price, PHO (foot)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.