DraftKings NBA: Friday Cheat Sheet

Team Analysis

Defense to Avoid:

San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Most people are aware how dominant the Spurs defense has been over the past two seasons, but there's reasons to believe they could absolutely shut down the Blazers here. The biggest reason is Portland's recent struggles, as they've lost 10 of their last 12 games. What's even more scary is the fact that they have to play this game without Damian Lillard, which should make this already struggling offense even worse. The blowout potential is another reason to avoid Portland, as this spread could approach 20 points with Lillard out. C.J. McCollum and Mason Plumlee are the only usable Blazers right now and San Antonio will do everything in their power to slow those two down.

Offense to Use:

Washington Wizards vs. Brooklyn Nets: Washington is playing its best ball of the season right now, as they come into this matchup winning eight of their last 11 games. The offense has been spectacular in that stretch too, as they have averaged nearly 110 points per game. The matchup is the icing on the cake though, as the Nets rank 30th in points allowed, 28th in defensive efficiency and first in pace. In addition, Vegas has the Wizards projected to score 115 points, which is the highest team total of the night.

Teams on Back-to-Back Set:

First Game: Bucks, Bulls, Clippers, Knicks and Rockets
Second Game: Celtics. Heat, Mavericks and Sixers

DraftKings.com Player Recommendations

John Wall, WSH vs. BRK ($10,300): Let's start our Washington stack with their most valuable player. Wall has taken the reins of this Wizards offense by force and has been putting up some absurd numbers. In fact, he is averaging nearly 50 fantasy points a game for the season and 60 fantasy points across his last two. The matchup is the best part about this play though, as Brooklyn's defense and pace suit Wall's style perfectly. Last time he faced them, Wall dropped 25 points, 13 assists and three steals en route to a monster game. The Nets have allowed the most fantasy points to point guards this season as well, so another huge game from Wall seems like a guarantee.

Bradley Beal, WSH vs. BRK ($6,500): Beal is easily the second best Washington player to use and he comes at a rather affordable price. He's simply been a different player this season too, as he's averaged over 24 points a game across his last 20. He's had some monster fantasy days in that span as well, as he's scored 40 or more fantasy points in 11 of those 20. At just $6,500, Beal is one of the best value bets to reach 50 fantasy points in such a favorable matchup. In addition, the Nets have allowed the second most fantasy points to shooting guards this season.

Reggie Jackson, DET at ATL ($5,700): Jackson is coming off a season-high 33 minutes in his most recent game and now's the time to hop on the train before it leaves the station. The star point guard has proven himself to be a $7,000 player in the past and now that he's getting a full allotment of minutes, he'll surely get to that number sooner rather than later. He's also starting to play better, as he's surpassed 29 fantasy points in three of his last four games. The matchup is fantastic as well, with the Hawks allowing the third most fantasy points to point guards this year.

LaMarcus Aldridge, SAN vs. POR ($7,300): I recommended Aldridge in his last game against the Blazers and he rewarded us with his best game of the season (52 fantasy points). What makes him so likable right now is the rise in his usage, as he's finally being leaned on as the team's go-to offensive weapon. That's evident through his recent form, as Aldridge has averaged 47 fantasy points per game across his last three. It's not just the revenge that makes this such a good matchup, either, as the Blazers rank dead-last in both defensive efficiency and fantasy points allowed to power forwards.

Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs. PHI ($5,900): Gallinari has had a disappointing season, but he's finally starting to turn things around. In fact, he is averaging over 35 fantasy points a game across his last four. The rebounding is the best part about that stretch, as he's grabbed eight boards per game as well. That form is enough incentive to use him at under $6,000, but considering he faces a putrid Sixers defense, he's an easy bet to exceed value. Philadelphia has actually allowed the fourth most fantasy points to small forwards this season.

Kent Bazemore, ATL vs. DET ($4,300): I don't necessarily believe Bazemore will go off in this game, but his price is simply too cheap given his current role. Over his last five games, Bazemore is averaging nearly 34 minutes per game, while posting poor fantasy lines. That's why his price has dropped so much, as he went from a $5,400 player to a $4,300 player in less than a week, despite playing huge minutes. At $4,300, Bazemore just needs 25 fantasy points to be a great value and that seems like a strong possibility with a near guarantee for 30 minutes of action.

DeAndre Jordan, LAC at HOU ($7,300): Jordan is a rebounding monster when Blake Griffin is out of the lineup and it's evident through his recent form. Not only did he lead the league in rebounding last season when Griffin was out, he's averaging 14.6 rebounds across his last 10 games. What I especially like here is the matchup, as a stingy Clippers defense will be playing a fast-paced Rockets team that thrives off three-pointers. That means a ton of missed three's which should make Jordan a near guarantee for 15 rebounds. If he can do that while adding a few blocks and some transition baskets, he should be able to have a monster game. Not to mention, the Rockets are missing their only legitimate center, as Jordan will have a huge advantage over players like Montrezl Harrell and Nene Hilario.

Al Horford, BOS vs. MIA ($6,700): Horford is coming off a terrible game against the Grizzlies, but that's nothing to be ashamed of given their dominant defense. Prior to that, Horford was averaging 16.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.9 blocks across his last 14 games. Those are dominant numbers for a player below $7,000 and he should be able to further add to that with his development as one of the focal points of the offense. The matchup against Hassan Whiteside looks scary, but the Heat rank 22nd in fantasy points to centers, as Whiteside really struggles to guard versatile big men like Horford.

Pau Gasol, SAN vs. POR ($6,100): The former all-star has taken some time to get in rhythm in this complicated Spurs offense, but he's finally starting to find that form that made him a stud in the past. Gasol has averaged 14.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks across his last 12 games, as he's averaging 32 fantasy points per contest in that span as well. The matchup is the best part about this play though, as the Blazers are one of the worst defenses in the NBA. With his $6,100 price tag, Gasol is a great bet for 5X value against Portland.