This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Miami Heat at New Orleans Pelicans
This is a solid pick on paper because the Heat have been one of the best defenses all season long, and the Pelicans have just shut down their best player, Anthony Davis. With that said, the Pelicans have a lot of underpriced value plays due to injury substitutions. So it's the unique case where the Heat, with their stifling defense, should be avoided…however, some Pelicans players are such value plays that they are still recommended even against a stout defensive unit.
Offense to Use:
Miami Heat at New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans were already one of the weakest defenses in the NBA. And with Davis shut down, there is little in the way of shot-blocking to dissuade the Heat from driving at will.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Rockets, Lakers, Heat
Second game: Hornets, Grizzlies
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. HOU ($10,600): There are three minimum-priced point guard options listed below that could provide great value. But Westbrook has an outstanding match-up and is one of the few max-priced players without an injury designation next to his name.
Other suggestions: Tim Frazier, NO vs. MIA ($3,900); Marcelo Huertas, LAL vs. MEM ($3,600), Ray McCallum, MEM at LAL ($3,200)
Shooting Guard
Bojan Bogdanovic, BKN vs. CHA ($5,500): Bogdanovic is close to a must-start at this price point, given the way he's been playing. Over his last four outings he is averaging 25.5 points, 5.3 boards and 4.0 assists with at least 27.75 fantasy points in all four games. The only question mark is the likely return of rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle), but after such a long layoff it is unlikely that he significantly affects Bogdanovic's playing time in the first game back.
Other suggestions: Josh Richardson, MIA at NO ($4,300), Nicolas Batum, CHA at BKN ($7,300)
Small Forward
Michael Beasley, HOU at OKC ($4,900): Beasley seems to have come back from his overseas playing career with a renewed focus. In the last six games he is averaging 17.8 points and 7.0 boards, and in his last outing he exploded for 30 points and nine boards. If James Harden (foot) sits out, the Rockets may have even more need for his offense.
Other suggestions: Luol Deng, MIA at NO ($6,100), Dante Cunningham, NO vs. MIA ($3,600), Matt Barnes, MEM at LAL ($5,600)
Power forward
Thaddeus Young, BKN vs CHA ($7,100): Young is playing great ball right now. He has averaged 43.6 fantasy points over his last five games and has a solid matchup on Tuesday against a Hornets defense that is below average at limiting production to opposing power forwards.
Other suggestions: Marvin Williams, CHA at BKN ($5500)
Center
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at NO ($8,000): Whiteside has a great matchup against a Hornets squad that has struggled against opposing centers all season and now will be playing without its all-world big man Anthony Davis.
Other suggestions: Cody Zeller, CHA at BKN ($3,500), Omer Asik, NO vs. MIA ($3,500)
Injury Report
Out
Sam Dekker, HOU (back)
Mike Conley, MEM (foot)
P.J. Hairston, MEM (groin)
Jordan Adams, MEM (knee)
Chris Andersen, MEM (shoulder)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Chris Bosh, MIA (calf/blood clots)
Tyler Johnson, MIA (shoulder)
Ryan Anderson, NO (groin)
Game-Time Decision
Brook Lopez, BKN (illness)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN (ankle)
Spencer Hawes, CHA (back)
James Harden, HOU (foot)
Kobe Bryant, LAL (shoulder)
Ryan Kelly, LAL (wrist)
Norris Cole, NO (back)
Kevin Durant, OKC (elbow)
Kyle Singler, OKC (back)
