This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to avoid: San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans
The Spurs were an elite defense last season, and on top of that they are at home facing a Pelicans team coming off of a hard-fought loss to the Warriors. Anthony Davis has been otherworldly, but every other Pelican was struggling to score for much of Friday night. This game feels like an impending blowout, where Davis is resting most of the fourth quarter.
Offense to Use: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn
The Nets' defense is bad; plus, they are on the second night of a back-to-back after pulling off a tough upset over the Pacers. The Bucks have too much athleticism for the Nets and should put up big numbers.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Grizzlies, Bucks, Spurs
Second game: Nets, Hornets, Cavaliers, Pacers, Pelicans, Magic
DraftKings.com Player Recommendations
Guard (premium)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, BKN at MIL ($8800): This slot was a toss-up between Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, both of whom have been performing excellently and have great match-ups Saturday night. Ultimately, Antetokounmpo earns this spot since he faces a Nets team with absolutely no answer for him, defensively.
Guard (moderate)
Ty Lawson, SAC vs MIN ($5,600): Lawson has been taking advantage of his opportunity to start with Darren Collison suspended, averaging 8.0 points with 8.0 assists, 5.5 boards and 1.5 steals in 35.4 minutes through two games. On Saturday, he faces a Timberwolves defense that has traditionally struggled and hasn't yet proven whether new coach Tom Thibodeau has dramatically turned things around.
Guard (affordable)
Avery Bradley, BOS at CHA ($5,100): Bradley has been rock solid through two games, notching more than 32 fantasy points in each cointest to the tune of 16.5 points, 7.5 boards, 5.0 assists and 2.0 treys per game. His price tag hasn't caught up to that level of production.
Forward (premium)
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs MIN ($10,600): Cousins was dominant in his last outing against the Spurs, dramatically outplaying Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge. Cousins will face another elite Kentucky big man on Saturday in Karl-Anthony Towns, and big numbers should be available to both sides of this match-up.
Forward (moderate)
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs IND ($7,600): Butler seemed to mesh well with new teammates Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo in their first game, with Butler maintaining the lead scorer role. On Saturday he faces a Pacers defense that has been torched in consecutive games by the Mavs and the Nets and comes in on the second night of a back-to-back.
Forward (affordable)
Taj Gibson, CHI vs IND ($4,600): Gibson won the starting power forward job coming out of camp and responded with 18 points and 10 boards in his debut against the Celtics. While that production may be on the high side for him, he still makes a solid starter at a reasonable price tag.
Center (premium)
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at SAC ($9,000): As mentioned in the Cousins blurb above, this Timberwolves vs. Kings match-up could be gold for both sides. Both were among the worst defensive squads in the league last season. And while Towns scored 21 points with five assists and four boards in his debut Wednesday in Memphis, he hasn't put up the kind of monster numbers that fellow Kentucky one-and-dones Cousins and Anthony Davis have thus far. That said, there's no doubt Towns has those games in him, and Saturday could be the night.
Center (moderate)
Myles Turner, IND at CHI ($7,200): Turner was one of seemingly everyone's favorite break-out candidate this season, and through two games he has lived up to the hype. Through two games he is averaging 23 points, 12.5 boards and 3.0 blocks. While the Bulls are solid inside, Turner will be the most explosive big man on the floor by a longshot.
Center (affordable)
Mason Plumlee, POR vs UTA ($4,500): Plumlee was physically overwhelmed in the opener by Rudy Gobert, but he bounced back to more than hold his own -- 17 points, eight boards, four assists, three blocks, 31 minutes -- in his second game against DeAndre Jordan. He should settle back to a role where he is a double-double threat with solid assist numbers from a center, which is production well beyond his price slot.
