This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
The Celtics only rank 11th in points allowed this season but they are second in defensive efficiency. That's a much better way to measure fantasy value and it makes them a dangerous team to face. This couldn't be a better matchup for Boston either, as they face an Orlando team that has lost 11 of their last 12 games while barely averaging 90 points per game in that span.
Offense to Use
Phoenix Suns at New York Knicks
This is a bit of a contrarian pick, as the Knicks have been playing good defense for the majority of the season. While they've ranked in the top-10 in points allowed for much of the season, they only rank 20th in defensive efficiency. What makes the Suns so enticing is the style they play against a beat-up New York team. Phoenix ranks fourth in pace and they might be playing a Knicks team with three starters out of the lineup. Kristaps Porzingis, Carmelo Anthony and Jose Calderon are all questionable and Porzingis specifically changes games with his reach and height. Another reason to like the Suns is all the value players they have. Their rotation is extremely shallow right now and it's opened up the door for some cheap plays who get a ton of minutes, including Archie Goodwin, Devin Booker, Alex Len and Tyson Chandler.
Teams on Back-to-Back Sets:
First Game: Cavaliers, Nets, Pistons, Rockets
Second Game: Bucks, Knicks, Lakers
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Donald Sloan, BKN at DAL ($4,800): Sloan's numbers don't jump off the page, but he's been a very reliable stat stuffer at a cheap price. Over his last seven games, Sloan is averaging 9.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. That doesn't look special, but that's over 25 fantasy points per game for a player who costs below $5,000. What makes this even better is that he faces a Dallas team that ranks 26th in fantasy points allowed to point guards this season.
Other Options: Deron Williams, DAL vs. BKN ($6,000); Elfrid Payton, ORL at BOS ($6,000)
Shooting Guard
Archie Goodwin, PHX at NYK ($5,600): Goodwin is no secret to fantasy owners anymore, but he's still a great value. He has scored 137 fantasy points in the last four games, and he'll either be squared off against Jose Calderon or Langston Galloway, players he can abuse with his athleticism. To prove that point, the Knicks have given up the second-most fantasy points to point guards over their last five games.
Other Options: Dwyane Wade, MIA at MIL ($6,700); Devin Booker, PHX at NYK ($5,500); Arron Afflalo, NYK vs. PHX ($5,200)
Small Forward
Wesley Johnson, LAC vs. LAL ($3,900): Johnson is certainly not a reliable DFS pick, but he could be a sneaky value play if he gets the minutes he has been getting recently. He has scored at least 27 fantasy points three times in his last six games and has only scored below 15 once in that span. That's solid value for a player shy of $4,000 and considering he is averaging nearly 25 minutes per game across his last 15 games, he should have no problem reaching that level again. If that's not incentive enough, the Lakers have allowed the most fantasy points to small forwards over their last five games and are easily one of the worst defenses in the NBA.
Other Options: Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. MIN ($7,500); Trevor Ariza, HOU at OKC ($5,500)
Power Forward
Josh Smith, HOU at OKC ($4,200): Smith was recently traded back to the Rockets and he's regained the same role he had last season. Over his last six games, Smith is averaging over 23 fantasy points per game while playing well over 20 minutes. The blowout potential is usually worrisome in this circumstance in the Thunder's home building, but whether this game is a blowout or not, Smith should still see his 20-plus minutes considering he is a reserve.
Other Options: Chris Bosh, MIA at MIL ($7,700); Marvin Williams, CHA at POR ($5,000)
Center
Spencer Hawes, CHA at POR ($4,800): Hawes has been solid in his last four starts, averaging 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks for 28.0 fantasy points per game. The role is obviously there too, as he is averaging over 30 minutes per game over his last five. This matchup is a tasty one as well, with the Trail Blazers having very little frontcourt talent and ranking in the bottom-10 in fantasy points allowed to centers this season.
Other Options: Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. MIN ($6,700); Alex Len, PHX at NYK ($5,200); Tyson Chandler, PHX at NYK ($5,000)
Injury Report
Out
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – BRK (ankle)
Jarrett Jack – BRK (knee)
Al Jefferson – CHA (calf/suspension)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - CHA (shoulder)
Jodie Meeks – DET (back)
Donatas Motiejunas – HOU (back)
Blake Griffin – LAC (hand)
Greivis Vasquez – MIL (ankle)
Andre Roberson – OKC (knee)
Brandon Knight – PHX (knee)
Eric Bledsoe – PHX (knee)
Alec Burks – UTA (leg)
Game-Time Decision
Jeremy Lamb – CHA (toe)
Cody Zeller – CHA (shoulder)
Nicolas Batum – CHA (toe)
Jeremy Lin – CHA (ankle)
Devin Harris – DAL (foot)
Zaza Pachulia – DAL (achilles)
Lou Williams – LAL (illness)
Josh McRoberts – MIA (knee)
Hassan Whiteside – MIA (oblique)
Goran Dragic – MIA (calf)
O.J. Mayo – MIL (hamstring)
Kevin Garnett – MIN (knee)
Kevin Martin – MIN (wrist)
Carmelo Anthony – NYK (ankle)
Jose Calderon – NYK (groin)
Kristaps Porzingis – NYK (illness)
C.J. Watson – ORL (calf)
Mirza Teletovic – PHX (ankle)
Jon Leuer – PHX (back)
T.J. Warren – PHX (ankle)
