This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Heat have Hassan Whiteside healthy, which makes them one of the best defenses in the NBA. They enter Sunday's game against the Knicks ranking first against point guards, fifth against shooting guards, a surprisingly low 26th against small forwards, first against power forwards and 13th against centers. Plus, the 76ers are very injured with Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas all expected to sit out.
Offenses to Use
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets
There are a bunch of great matchups Sunday, as the Grizzlies against the Suns, the Heat against the 76ers, the Raptors against the Rockets, the Warriors against the Lakers and the Thunder against the Bucks all could produce some big scoring numbers. Ultimately, the Mavericks get the call because the Nuggets are poor on defense, but playing at home which should hopefully keep the game competitive. Plus, the Mavs have a bunch of productive players who you can get for much less than the max salary.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Mavericks, Warriors, Grizzlies, Bucks
Second game: Pistons, Rockets
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Mike Conley, MEM vs. PHO ($6,700): Conley has averaged 32.7 fantasy points per game in his last six, a bit above his season average, and he is facing a Suns defense that is the worst in the league against point guards. The only risk is a Grizzlies blowout that causes Conley to sit, but otherwise he has a great opportunity.
Other suggestions: Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN vs. DAL ($5,700); D'Angelo Russell, LAL vs. GSW ($6,500)
Shooting Guard
Wesley Matthews, DAL at DEN ($4,900): Matthews has found himself of late, scoring at least 15 points in five straight games before a clunker in his last outing against the Kings. When his shot is working, Matthews is a steady threat to scoring in the mid-20s or better in fantasy points, which outperforms his price. He also has a good matchup Sunday against a Nuggets defense that ranks 19th against shooting guards.
Other suggestions: DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. HOU ($7,600); Dwyane Wade, MIA vs. PHI ($7,200)
Small Forward
Lance Stephenson, MEM vs. PHO ($4,000): Stephenson has scored more than 20 fantasy points in four of his last five games, as he has been getting steady minutes since his trade to the Grizzlies. On Sunday, he faces a Suns defense that struggles against wings, ranking 22nd against small forwards and 28th against shooting guards.
Other suggestions: Chandler Parsons, DAL at DEN ($6,800); Kevin Durant, OKC at MIL ($10,400)
Power Forward
David Lee, DAL at DEN ($4,600): Lee has been a per-minute monster in Dallas, averaging 10.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 combined blocks and steals in only 18.5 minutes per game over his past five. On Sunday, he faces a Nuggets defense that is 24th in the NBA against power forwards.
Other suggestions: Jabari Parker, MIL vs. OKC ($6,500), Richaun Holmes, PHI at MIA ($3,500)
Center
Alex Len, PHO at MEM ($6,100): Len has been in his wave every since the Suns traded Markieff Morris. Over his last five games he has averaged 19.2 points, 12.4 boards and a blocked shot in 32.1 minutes per contest. In the last week alone he has two monster performances, a 22-point, 16-rebound effort the last time he faced Sunday's opponents, the Grizzlies, and a 31-point, 15-rebound performance Friday against the Magic.
Other suggestions: Andre Drummond, DET vs. POR ($7,700); Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. PHI ($8,400)
Injury Report
Out
Danilo Gallinari, DEN (ankle)
Stanley Johnson, DET (shoulder)
Spencer Dinwiddie, DET (ankle)
Anthony Tolliver, DET (knee)
Festus Ezeli, GS (knee)
Lou Williams, LAL (hamstring)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Chris Bosh, MIA (blood clots)
Tyler Johnson, MIA (shoulder)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
John Henson, MIL (back)
Nerlens Noel, PHI (knee)
Jahlil Okafor, PHI (shin)
Kendall Marshall, PHI (illness)
Nik Stauskas, PHI (illness)
Brandon Knight, PHO (groin)
DeMarre Carroll, TOR (knee)
Game-Time Decision
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Stephen Curry, GS (ankle)
Andre Iguodala, GS (hamstring)
Terrence Jones, HOU (illness)
Andrew Goudelock, HOU (contract)
Jordan Clarkson, LAL (knee)
Kobe Bryant, LAL (shoulder)
Tony Allen, MEM (knee)
Michael Carter-Williams, MIL (knee)
