This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defenses to avoid
Atlanta Hawks at MIA: The Hawks are second in the league in team defensive rating at 98.7 points allowed per 100 possessions. The Heat, meanwhile, have the second-worst offensive rating at 100 points per 100 possessions, and play at one of the slowest paces in the league at 94.3 possessions per game.
Offense to use
Los Angeles Lakers vs BRO: The Nets have been surprisingly capable on defense this year, allowing 105.4 points per 100 possessions, ranking 12th in the NBA, but they play at the second-highest pace which means teams can produce in volume against them. The Lakers also play a fast pace at 99.7 possessions per game, fifth fastest in the league, and their offense is also relatively efficient at 109 points per 100 possessions. They should be able to get what they want at home against the Nets, who'll be on the second night of a back-to-back.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hawks, Cavaliers, Raptors
Second game: Nets, Heat
C.J. McCollum, POR vs CHI ($7500): McCollum has been hot of late, averaging 26 points and 2.8 treys over his last five games, even including the Clippers blowout in which the entire Trail Blazers team played terribly. McCollum is pairing high-volume scoring with 4-to-5 rebounds, 4-to-5 assists and 2-to-3 combined steals and blocks, and on Tuesday he faces a Bulls defense that ranks 27th in production allowed to opposing shooting guards, according to DraftKings.
Sean Kilpatrick, BRO @LAL ($5800): Kilpatrick had already been playing good ball, but with injuries to the Nets backcourt his importance has only increased. Over his last five games, he's averaging 14.6 points, 5.4 boards, 3.4 assists, 1.6 treys and 1.0 steals per game. On Tuesday, he faces a beatable Lakers defense.
Lou Williams, LAL vs DAL ($5600): Williams is pretty much a fixture on the recommendations list due to his consistency. He has produced between 26.0 and 36.5 fantasy points in each of his last eight games, and on Tuesday he faces a Nets defense that ranks 19th in the league in production allowed to opposing shooting guards.
LeBron James, CLE vs TOR ($10,300): James is a walking triple-double threat, averaging 9.2 boards and 8.3 assists over his last six games in addition to his usual high-volume scoring, treys, and defensive stats. On Tuesday he'll be facing the Raptors team that was the closest thing that the Cavs had to competition in the Eastern Conference last season, which should keep him engaged.
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs CHA ($7000): Wiggins has averaged 33.5 points, 5.0 boards, 3.5 assists and 2.8 treys over his last four games in his best stretch of the season. On Tuesday he faces a Hornets defense that ranks 29th in the NBA against opposing small forwards, according to DraftKings.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN at LAL ($4500): Hollis-Jefferson has come alive after his slow start, averaging 13 points, 7.5 boards, 4.0 assists and 1.8 combined blocks/steals over his last four outings. On Tuesday, he faces a relatively average Lakers defense against opposing small forwards.
Dwight Howard, ATL at MIA ($7200): Howard has played strong ball for the Hawks this season, with a 39.1 fantasy points/game average that makes him the lowest-priced of the elite options on Tuesday. He will be facing Hassan Whiteside and the Heat, who despite Whiteside's reputation manage to be 25th in the NBA in production allowed to opposing centers, according to DraftKings.
Mason Plumlee, POR vs CHI ($5300): Plumlee has now had between three and seven assists in 10 straight games, and is averaging 9.5 points with 8.0 boards and 2.5 combined steals and blocks in his last two outings. The Bulls rank 27th in production allowed to opposing centers.
Robin Lopez, CHI at POR ($4600): Lopez is coming off consecutive strong outings in which he has averaged 13 points and 11 boards per game. On Tuesday, he enters his old stomping grounds to face his former team, which could add to his motivation.
