This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to avoid: Memphis Grizzlies, vs CHI. The Grizzlies are battling the Jazz and Spurs for the title of best defense in the NBA right now. They are first in the NBA in limiting production to opposing centers, third against opposing forwards, and fourth against opposing guards. They should make life difficult on the entire Bulls lineup.
Offense to Use: Detroit Pistons, at LAL. The Lakers are near the bottom of the league in defense across the board, ranking 27th in production allowed to opposing centers, 29th against opposing forwards, and 27th against opposing guards. The Pistons have faced some tough defenses on the road of late, so this could be an opportunity for the whole team to bounce back.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hawks, Bucks, Knicks, Thunder
Second game: Bulls, Lakers
Russell Westbrook, OKC at SAC ($12,800): This was essentially a two-man battle between Westbrook and Jimmy Butler, who returned with a bang Saturday and proved his health. Westbrook is the much higher-priced player, but he's also backed up that price tag (averaging 66.9 fantasy points in last six games) and has a good matchup against a Kings defense that is average (14th in NBA) against opposing point guards but that isn't really equipped to slow a guy like Westbrook that does everything. Butler looked healthy Saturday, but he's on the second half of a back-to-back playing a tough Grizzlies defense that is third in the NBA at limiting opposing small forwards and seventh against opposing shooting guards.
Mike Conley, MEM vs CHI ($7200): Having recommended a point guard in the premium slot, it would have been ideal to have a shooting guard here. However, with the short schedule, the value is in another point guard. Conley is still relatively moderately priced despite averaging 20.4 points, 9.6 assists, 4.6 boards, 2.0 treys and 1.4 steals over his last five games. He'll face a Bulls defense that is next-to-last in the NBA at defending opposing point guards over the last ten games.
Darren Collison, SAC vs OKC ($4100): Collison is dual-eligible in DraftKings, making him a viable shooting guard option at an affordable cost. Over his last five games he is averaging 13.2 points, 3.0 assists, 1.8 treys, 1.8 boards and 0.8 combined steals/blocks. On Sunday he faces a Thunder defense that ranks 22nd in the NBA in production allowed to opposing point guards.
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs OKC ($10,200): Cousins' price is still down $1300 from Jan. 4, despite the fact that in the four games since he has averaged 23 points, 10.5 boards, 7.3 assists, 2.5 treys, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game and gone over 53 fantasy points in three of those four. Cousins is always a good bet to produce, and while the Thunder have a solid big man defense, it has been vulnerable to opposing centers of late (22nd against opposing centers over past 10 games).
Marcus Morris, DET at LAL ($5100): Morris, like pretty much all Pistons, struggled Friday against the Jazz. But he had averaged a solid 15 points, six boards, three assists, 1.3 treys and a steal in the four games before that and could be called upon to up his scoring with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope dealing with an injury. Sunday's opponent, the Lakers, are next-to-last in the NBA in production allowed to opposing forwards.
Andre Roberson, OKC at SAC ($4000): Roberson has been solid across the board of late, averaging 10.2 points with 6.0 boards, 1.4 blocks, 1.2 steals and 1.0 treys over the past five games. His defensive stats are the key to his production, and he has been particularly disruptive of late. The Kings have also been particularly vulnerable to opposing small forwards of late, ranking 26th in the NBA in production allowed over the past five games.
Andre Drummond, DET at LAL ($7800): Drummond is the only Pistons player to be productive even during the last two blowout losses at the Jazz and Warriors, in large part because his rebounds (13.8 rpg last four games) and defense (5.3 combined steals/blocks last four games) have been robust regardless of the opponent. His offense also has the chance to bounce back against a Lakers defense that ranks 26th in the NBA in production allowed to opposing centers.
Zach Randolph, MEM vs CHI ($5800): Randolph has been in a zone this week, averaging 17.5 points with 10.8 boards, 2.5 assists, 1.3 treys and 1.3 steals in only 28 minutes over the past four games. He'll face a Bulls defense Sunday that is an average 16th in the NBA against opposing power forwards.
Steven Adams, OKC at SAC ($5300): Adams is a solid daily option at center, averaging 13.3 points, 7.2 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 steals over his last six games. On Sunday he'll face a Kings defense that ranks 24th in the NBA in production allowed to opposing centers over the past 10 games.
