This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magiv
The Raptors have one of the top defenses in the league, and they are playing at a high level right now. They face a Magic team that has struggled with injury of late, with both their starting point guard and center questionable to play. On the season, the Raptors are fifth in the NBA against point guards, 10th against shooting guards, 13th against small forwards, second against power forwards and ninth against centers.
Offenses to Use:
New York Knicks vs. Sacramento Kings
The Kings are terrible on defense, across the board, ranking 29th against point guards, 28th against shooting guards, 16th against small forwards, 30th against power forwards and 12th against centers.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Celtics, Bucks, Magic, 76ers, Kings
Second game: Clippers, Knicks, Jazz
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. ORL ($8,200): Lowry is averaging 29.5 points, 6.8 assists, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 made threes and 2.0 steals per game over his last four. He could be lined up for another big one on Sunday against a Magic defense that is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season.
Other suggestions: Brandon Jennings (If Elfrid Payton sits), ORL at TOR ($4,600); Tim Frazier, NOP vs. LAC ($3,700)
Shooting Guard
Raymond Felton, DAL vs. POR ($4,000): Felton is risky because he is up-and-down, but he has scored at least 29 fantasy points in two of his last three games. More importantly, with Chandler Parsons doubtful and the Mavericks playing more small-ball and facing a strong Trail Blazers offense, Felton could be called upon more than usual to help drive the perimeter offense.
Other suggestions: C.J. McCollum, POR at DAL ($6,600); Langston Galloway, NYK vs. SAC ($4,000)
Small Forward
Jerami Grant, PHI vs BOS ($5,300): Grant has produced well since returning from a concussion earlier this week, averaging 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.0 assists per outing in his two games back. The 76ers' frontcourt is still weakened by injury, and they are facing an undersized Celtics defense, which bodes well for Grant to continue to produce.
Other suggestions: Gordon Hayward, UTA at MIL ($6,900); Carmelo Anthony, NYK vs. SAC ($6,900)
Power Forward
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL vs. POR ($6,800): Nowitzki has stepped up huge of late, averaging 24.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.6 steals per game in his last seven. He can sense the end of the season approaching, and with his Mavericks clinging to the eighth playoff spot out West, he is trying to carry them over the finish line.
Other suggestions: Derrick Favors, UTA at MIL ($7,300); Nerlens Noel, PHI vs. BOS ($6,900)
Center
Robin Lopez, NYK vs. SAC ($5,400): Lopez had a bit of a down week, caused primarily by the two-point, four-rebound effort he produced against the Warriors on Tuesday. However, in his other two games of the week he averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 boards, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 assists per game, which is closer to what he produced over the last month. He has a chance to finish off his week against a Kings defense that is average against centers, but that may be missing their starting center.
Other suggestions: DeAndre Jordan, LAC at NOO ($7,600); Bismack Biyombo (if Jonas Valanciunas sits), TOR vs. ORL ($4,900)
Injury Report
Out
Jae Crowder, BOS (ankle)
Jonas Jerebko, BOS (ankle)
Blake Griffin, LAC (hand)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
Anthony Davis, NO (knee/shoulder)
Lance Thomas, NY (knee)
Cleanthony Early, NY (knee)
Tony Wroten, NY (knee)
Robert Covington, PHI (concussion)
Richaun Holmes, PHI (Achilles)
Meyers Leonard, POR (shoulder)
Ben McLemore, SAC (finger)
James Johnson, TOR (foot)
DeMarre Carroll, TOR (knee)
Alec Burks, UTA (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
Chandler Parsons, DAL (hamstring)
Jeff Green, LAC (face laceration)
Norris Cole, NO (back)
Carmelo Anthony, NY (migraine)
Jose Calderon, NY (ankle)
Elfrid Payton, ORL (elbow)
Nikola Vucevic, ORL (groin)
Eric Moreland, SAC (foot)
Omri Casspi, SAC (ankle)
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC (illness)
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR (hand)
