This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis:
Defense to Avoid:
Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Atlanta allows the sixth-fewest points per game this season and rank second in defensive efficiency. They are also much better at home, allowing under 97 points per game (third-best in the NBA), and have won 11 of their last 14. On Friday, they face a Bucks team that ranks 25th in scoring and 28th in rebounding. That rebounding number is especially important, as that's the Hawks only weakness. With the defensive pressure they'll put on Milwaukee, along with not being dominated on the boards, Atlanta should have no problem holding the Bucks to under 100 points and limited fantasy production.
Offense to Use:
Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns
This might be the best game of the season to stack for many reasons. Most importantly, these two teams rank 29th and 30th in defense, respectively. They each allow about 110 points per game and allow the most fantasy points as well. The pace of this game should be played at light-speed too, with both teams ranking in the top five in pace. This will be one of the only totals all season over 220 and that equals fantasy goodness for all parties. Players like DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo and Brandon Knight are all fantastic high-end options to stack.
Teams on Back-to-Back Sets:
First Game: Bucks, Hawks, Hornets, Magic, Pistons, Raptors, Spurs, Suns, Timberwolves
Second Game: None
Daily Player Recommendations:
Point Guard:
Deron Williams, DAL at GSW ($5,600): Williams said that he needed to take on a bigger role with Chandler Parsons injured and he's done just that. The former All-Star is averaging over 50 fantasy points per game since the injury to Parsons, while playing over 40 minutes. Dallas is on the brink of missing the playoffs, so they'll need Williams to take on all the minutes he can handle against a potent Warriors team. Not to mention, Golden State allows point guards to score over 23 points per game, fourth-most in the NBA.
Other Options: Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN at LAL ($5,900); Rajon Rondo, SAC vs. PHX ($7,800)
Shooting Guard:
Bradley Beal, WSH vs MIN ($5,100): Beal has been re-inserted into the starting lineup and performing pretty well. He's seen his price drop because of injuries and a decrease in minutes, but he has played at least 31 minutes in four-straight games, which is his most consistent stretch of the season. Beal has also scored at least 25 fantasy points in four of his last five, which is good value for a player barely cracking $5,000. Minnesota has been struggling against shooting guards recently too, as they rank 25th by allowing 49 fantasy points per game to the position over their last five games.
Other Options: Dwyane Wade, MIA vs ORL ($6,500); Wesley Matthews, DAL at GSW ($4,400)
Small Forward:
P.J. Tucker, PHX at SAC ($4,700): Tucker is averaging 12.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game over his last five, which is over 32 fantasy points per outing. That's excellent value for a $4,700 player. The icing on the cake is the matchup, as the Kings rank 30th in total defense and 26th in fantasy points allowed to small forwards.
Other Options: Tobias Harris, DET vs. CHA ($6,000); Mirza Teletovic, PHX at SAC ($4,400)
Power Forward:
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. PHX ($10,300): This option doesn't need a whole lot of explanation, as it is the highest-upside play of the night. Cousins averages well over 50 fantasy points per game, and he should have no problem surpassing that total in this matchup. The Suns rank 29th in total defense and play at an incredibly fast pace. That definitely benefits an athletic player like Cousins, and he should be able to go off on this bad defense. In addition, Cousins had 32 points and nine rebounds on just 15 shots the last time he faced the Suns. He is questionable headed into the game, but if he plays, he's easily the best bet for the highest score of the night.
Other Options: Paul Millsap, ATL vs. MIL ($7,800); Gorgui Dieng, MIN at WSH ($6,100)
Center:
Greg Monroe, MIL at ATL ($5,500): Monroe has been struggling recently, but his price makes him intriguing. When Monroe's playing his best ball, he's a $7,500 player and a double-double machine. He can do just that in this matchup, as the Hawks only weakness is their rebounding. In fact, Atlanta ranks 25th in rebounding and 28th in fantasy points allowed to centers. In his two previous games against the Hawks, Monroe is averaging 19.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and four assists for nearly 45 fantasy points per game. If he can duplicate that here, that's over 8x value, which is just what you need to win a big tourney.
Other Options: Al Horford, ATL vs. MIL ($6,700); Salah Mejri, DAL at GSW ($3,800)
Injury Report:
Out:
Tiago Splitter – ATL (calf)
Jae Crowder – BOS (ankle)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - CHA (shoulder)
Chandler Parsons – DAL (knee)
Danilo Gallinari – DEN (ankle)
Wilson Chandler – DEN (hip)
Andre Iguodala – GS (ankle)
Blake Griffin – LAC (hand)
Marc Gasol – MEM (foot)
Mario Chalmers – MEM (achilles)
Mike Conley – MEM (foot)
Chris Bosh – MIA (blood clot)
Tyler Johnson – MIA (shoulder)
Michael Carter-Williams - MIL (knee)
O.J. Mayo – MIL (leg)
Greivis Vasquez – MIL (ankle)
Nikola Vucevic – ORL (groin)
Joel Embiid – PHI (foor)
Eric Bledsoe – PHX (knee)
T.J. Warren – PHX (foot)
DeMarre Carroll – TOR (knee)
Game-Time Decision:
Marvin Williams – CHA (ankle)
Kenneth Faried – DEN (back)
Jodie Meeks – DET (foot)
Festus Ezeli GS (knee)
Terrence Jones – HOU (unknown)
Kobe Bryant – LAL (20 years)
Brandan Wright – MEM (knee)
Zach Randolph – MEM (ankle)
Luol Deng – MIA (thigh)
Nemanja Bjelica – MIN (foot)
Kevin Garnett - MIN (leg)
Nikola Pekovic – MIN (foot)
Nikola Vucevic – ORL (groin)
Tyson Chandler – PHX (back)
Meyers Leonard – POR (shoulder)
Ben McLemore – SAC (finger)
DeMarcus Cousins – SAC (knee)
Kawhi Leonard – SAN (quad)
Boris Diaw – SAN (rest)
Patrick Patterson – TOR (ankle)
Kyle Lowry – TOR (elbow)
