This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Jazz and the Spurs are two of the best defenses in the NBA, so either would be worthy of this slot. But the Spurs are on the second half of a road back-to-back, and the Jazz play at altitude, so they should be the fresher defense. The Jazz are 10th in the league against point guards, second against shooting guards, 11th against small forwards, third against power forwards and fourth against centers.
Offense to Use
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have struggled defensively all season, and they are set up to give up big numbers to a unit like the Trail Blazers. The Rockets are 26th in the NBA at defending point guards (Damian Lillard), 25th against shooting guards (C.J. McCollum), last against small forwards, 19th against power forwards and ninth against centers.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Magic
Second game: Warriors, Thunder, Spurs
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Donald Sloan, BKN at PHO ($4,600): Sloan has played well since the All-Star break, with three straight games of at least 30 minutes that has translated to 12.3 points, 5.7 boards, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals and a three-pointer per game. On Thursday, he faces a Suns defense that is still last in the NBA at defending point guards.
Other suggestions: Damian Lillard, POR vs. HOU ($9,700); Ronnie Price, PHO vs. BKN ($3,600)
Shooting Guard
Evan Fournier, ORL vs. GSW ($5,900): Fournier has been a consistent recommendation of late, as his opportunity increased (Tobias Harris injury, then trade) and he has taken advantage of it (seven straight games of at least 28.5 fantasy points). On Thursday, he faces a Warriors squad that is looking almost-not-superhuman of late, and that has given up great production to opposing wings all season.
Other suggestions: James Harden, HOU at POR ($10,500); C.J. McCollum, POR vs. HOU ($7,500)
Small Forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at BOS ($7,700): Antetokounmpo has exploded since Bucks head coach Jason Kidd last tinkered with the line-up four games ago. Over those four games he is averaging 20.3 points, 12.3 rebounds. 5.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game while playing some point forward. In his last outing he smashed the Lakers to a 27-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, and he has a size advantage of the Celtics that should let him continue to produce on Thursday.
Other suggestions: Jae Crowder, BOS vs. MIL ($6,000); Joe Johnson, BKN at PHO ($5,200)
Power Forward
Jabari Parker, MIL at BOS ($6,200): Parker is another Bucks player that has really responded well to the new line-up configuration in Milwaukee. Over his last four games he is playing 42.5 minutes a night, including a 51-minute outing against the Hawks in double-overtime, and that has translated to 20.8 points, 10.5 boards and 3.0 assists per game.
Other suggestions: Thaddeus Young, BKN at PHO ($6,700); Draymond Green, GSW at ORL ($8,600)
Center
Dwight Howard, HOU at POR ($7,400): Howard has grabbed at least 13 rebounds in five of his last six games, with four of those games resulting in double-doubles and fantasy scoring averages in the 40 – 50 range. On Thursday, he has a solid matchup against a Trail Blazers defense that ranks 19th against centers.
Other suggestions: Greg Monroe, MIL at BOS ($7,100); Mason Plumlee, POR vs. HOU ($4,800)
Injury Report
Out
Kelly Olynyk, BOS (shoulder)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN (ankle)
Festus Ezeli, GS (knee)
Donatas Motiejunas, HOU (back)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
Eric Gordon, NO (finger)
Omer Asik, NO (ankle)
Brandon Knight, PHO (groin)
Manu Ginobili, SAS (groin)
Alec Burks, UTA (ankle)
Matt Bonner, SAS (calf)
Game-Time Decision
Marcus Smart, BOS (thumb)
Jerryd Bayless, MIL (knee)
John Henson, MIL (back)
Bryce Dejean-Jones, NO (wrist)
Alex Len, PHO (ankle)
