This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Jazz are strong defensively across the board outside of small forward, ranking eighth in production allowed to opposing point guards, second against shooting guards, ninth against power forwards and fifth against centers. Their only weak spot is small forward, where they rank 21st, but Kobe Bryant is questionable with a sore shoulder so may not be able to take advantage of it anyway.
Offense to Use
Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings
The Clippers have a great matchup against a friendly Kings defense that ranks 28th in production allowed to opposing point guards, 30th to shooting guards, 15th to small forwards, 20th to power forwards and 15th to opposing centers.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Lakers
Second game: Hawks, Nets, Celtics, Hornets, Bucks, Trail Blazers, Wizards
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Chris Paul, LAC vs. SAC ($9,200): Paul has five straight games with over 45 fantasy points, including three over 50, and he faces a Kings defense that is 28th in the NBA at limiting production to opposing point guards.
Other suggestions: Donald Sloan, BKN at ATL ($4,000); Marcus Smart, BOS at WAS ($4,200)
Shooting Guard
Khris Middleton, MIL vs. CHA ($6,800): Middleton had averaged 37.25 fantasy points per game in the five leading into Friday, and he then he went for 26 points, four boards, three assists and three steals to continue his strong play. On Saturday he faces a Hornets defense that is 28th in the NBA against opposing shooting guards.
Other suggestions: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET vs GSW ($5,600); Avery Bradley, BOS at WAS ($5,200)
Small Forward
Robert Covington, PHI vs. POR ($5,000): Covington had fallen out of the rotation in Philadelphia, but the injury to Jerami Grant allowed him to re-enter the starting lineup Wednesday and pop for 25 points, six boards, two steals and six three-pointers against the Bulls before fouling out. Grant is listed as doubtful for Saturday, which likely gives Covington another crack at it.
Other suggestions: Nicolas Batum, CHA vs MIL ($7,300); Jae Crowder, BOS at WAS ($6,400)
Power Forward
Cody Zeller, CHA vs. MIL($5,600): Zeller's price continues to increase as his play has warranted the changes. He has been a nightly double-double threat since Al Jefferson went down, averaging 12.2 points, 10.0 boards and a combined 2.4 steals and blocks per game over his last five.
Other suggestions: Paul Millsap, ATL vs BKN ($8,100); Thaddeus Young, BKN at ATL ($7,100)
Center
Al Horford, ATL vs. BKN ($6,900): Horford is on the second night of a back-to-back, and he had an epically terrible performance of only 4.5 fantasy points Wednesday against Hornets. However, before that he was on fire, averaging 52.1 fantasy points per game in three contests leading into Wednesday, and he has a wonderful matchup on Saturday against a Nets defense that is 28th in the NBA in production allowed to opposing centers. Brook Lopez isn't quick enough to stay with him, so he has a good chance to bounce back.
Other suggestions: Brook Lopez, BKN at ATL ($7,600); Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. LAL ($6,000)
Injury Report
Out
Jarrett Jack, BKN (knee-season)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN (ankle)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA (shoulder)
Al Jefferson, CHA (knee)
Jeremy Lamb, CHA (wrist)
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Blake Griffin, LAC (quad)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
Jerryd Bayless, MIL (ankle)
O.J. Mayo, MIL (hamstring)
Cleanthony Early, NY (knee)
Derrick Favors, UTA (back)
Alec Burks, UTA (ankle)
Trevor Booker, UTA (concussion)
Alan Anderson, WAS (ankle)
Otto Porter, WAS (hip)
Kris Humphries, WAS (knee)
Game-Time Decision
DeAndre Jordan, LAC (illness)
Kobe Bryant, LAL (shoulder)
Brandon Bass, LAL (ankle)
Mike Conley, MEM (Achilles)
Carmelo Anthony, NY (ankle)
Kristaps Porzingis, NY (shoulder)
Jerami Grant, PHI (calf)
Nik Stauskas, PHI (shoulder)
