This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks: This is one of the most obvious plays of the season, as both sides make this an easy fade. Let's start with the Mavericks offense, as they rank last in scoring and 29th in offensive efficiency. Those numbers are bad, but they're an even worse team on the road. Now, the Utah defense is what makes this completely off-limits, as they've formed one of the best defensive units in the league. In fact, they rank first in points allowed and fourth in defensive efficiency. They also rank top-five in fantasy points allowed at all five positions. Not to mention, these two teams rank 29th and 30th in pace, so there will be limited fantasy production for everyone with such few possessions.
Offense to Use:
Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets: The funny thing about this play is the fact that the Magic have been my offense to avoid the past two weeks, but there's things to like here. The biggest reason is the matchup, as they faces an inept Brooklyn defense. In fact, the Nets rank 30th in points allowed, first in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. While Orlando's offense has been horrendous all season, they've shown some signs of life recently. The Magic are actually averaging 114 points a game across their last three games, as they've done that damage against some solid defenses (LAC and ATL). What's also intriguing about using Orlando is the fact that they have struggled, as they'll have numerous cheap players at extremely affordable prices who will likely have low ownership.
Teams on Back-to-Back Set
First Game: Hawks, Hornets, Lakers, Pistons and Rockets
Second Game: Bulls and Pelicans
Player Recommendations
Premium
James Harden, HOU vs. NOP ($12,000): Harden is a regular in my articles and it's easy to see why with the way he's playing. My rule this year is to get either Russell Westbrook or Harden into my lineup when they play and seeing as how Westbrook is off for this schedule, Harden makes for an easy building block. Not only is he averaging nearly 60 fantasy points a game for the season, he's scored at least 52 fantasy points in six-straight games. This matchup is great too, with the Pelicans allowing the third-most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Mid-Tier
Reggie Jackson, DET at WSH ($5,400): Jackson played a season-high 30 minutes in his most recent game and it resulted in his best fantasy performance of the season. That means he should play about 30 minutes a game from here on out, which makes Jackson an exceptional value at this sort of price. Not to mention, this matchup is great. Washington has struggled defensively all season and Jackson should be able to build off of his 30 fantasy points outing on Wednesday and potentially surpass that number here.
Cheap
Elfrid Payton, ORL vs. BRK ($5,100): The minutes do scare me with Payton, but he's in the best stretch of the season right now. Payton is averaging over 33 fantasy points a game across his last six games and has had two 50-plus fantasy point outings in that span. The form along with the matchup is what makes Payton usable, even though his minutes are a big question mark. The Nets allow the most fantasy points in the NBA to point guards and Payton should be able to approach double-digit assists in this matchup, while stuffing the stat sheet like he usually does.
Premium
Anthony Davis, NOP at HOU ($11,400): Much like Harden, Davis is a great elite option in a fantastic matchup. Davis is averaging 57 fantasy points a game and he's one of the only players in the league with an 80-point potential. That potential is even more possible in a matchup like this, as the Rockets are one of the worst defenses in the league. While it will be tough to get Harden and Davis into your lineup, it's imperative to get at least one of them, as they are the two favorites to finish top-two in fantasy production for this slate.
Cheap
Ryan Anderson, HOU vs. NOP ($4,900): Anderson is the type of player that I love for tournaments, as he has serious boom or bust potential. The reason this could be a boom game is because of the matchup and his recent form. Anderson has scored at least 29 fantasy points in three of his last four games, as he's getting a ton of shots and a load of minutes. The matchup against the Pelicans is tasty as well, as they rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to power forwards. In addition, it's a revenge game for Anderson, so he might see even more usage than usual.
Cheap
Aaron Gordon, ORL vs. BRK ($4,900): Gordon is coming off the best game of his career and this price doesn't indicate his sort of potential. In that most recent loss, Gordon dropped a career-high 33 points against an elite Clippers defense. While he's unlikely to match that here, he should be able to produce some good numbers against this far inferior defense. In fact, the Nets rank dead-last in both fantasy points allowed to small forwards and total defense. They also rank first in pace, so that should only add to Gordon's value, as he thrives off his athleticism and his ability to finish at the rim.
Premium
Marc Gasol, MEM vs. SAC ($7,900): Gasol has just been ridiculous recently and he's hard to avoid right now. He's currently averaging 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals across his last 10 games. That's MVP type production and he should be able to build off that in this matchup. Sacramento rank as one of the worst defenses in the league and Gasol will be leaned on heavily to battle with the talented DeMarcus Cousins. There may be no center as reliable as Gasol on this slate and that reliability comes at an extremely friendly price.
Mid-Tier
Al Horford, BOS vs. CHA ($6,300): Horford is in almost every single one of my DraftKings articles and this price simply doesn't make sense. Most players at $6,300 are middle of the road role players who provide about 30 fantasy points a game. Horford averages close to 40 fantasy points a game and has yet to score less than 22 fantasy points in any game this season. That sort of reliability at $6,300 is incredible and much of that is due to his ability to stuff the stat sheet. He could have success in this matchup as well, with Charlotte ranking 25th in fantasy points allowed to centers.
Cheap
Bismack Biyombo, ORL vs. BRK ($5,200): Biyombo is the final piece of our Orlando stack, as he's taken over starting center duties recently. In the absence of Nikola Vucevic, Biyombo has scored at least 25 fantasy points in six of his last eight games. What makes him especially enticing is this matchup, as he faces a Nets defense that allows the second-most fantasy points to centers. The pace also favors a player like Biyombo, as he should accumulate rebounds and blocks at ease as the rim protector for the Magic. If Vucevic can't go again, Biyombo is a must play.
