This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Utah Jazz at Milwaukee Bucks: Despite the fact that Milwaukee has won three straight games, they've been one of the worst offenses in the league since the turn of the calendar. In fact, they are barely averaging 100 points a game across their last 14 games, as they continue to struggle without Jabari Parker. What makes that even tougher here is the matchup, with the Jazz allowing under 96 points per game, which is the best mark in the league. The Bucks could only muster up 88 points in their most recent game against Utah and a duplication of that seems likely here.
Offense to Use:
Denver Nuggets vs. Brooklyn Nets: The Nuggets are scoring 114 points a game at home this season and it's turned them into one of the best offenses in the league. They've been especially hot lately, averaging 118 points per game across their last 10 home games. The matchup makes Denver even more intriguing, with the Nets allowing over 114 points per game, which is the worst mark in the NBA. What also makes Denver an interesting option is the amount of cheap players they have, with only one player being priced above $7,600.
Teams on Back-to-Back Set:
First Game: Bulls. Hawks, Heat, Mavericks, Nets, Pacers, Sixers and Timberwolves
Second Game: Clippers and Nuggets
DraftKings.com Player Recommendations
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. PHX ($9,400): Butler was one of the big names surrounding the trade deadline, but he stayed put in Chicago and is likely looking at an even bigger role than before. With Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott leaving town, more responsibility should be put on Butler, who is already setting career-highs across the board. The matchup is the best part about using Butler, with Phoenix ranking bottom-five in nearly every defensive statistic.
Goran Dragic, MIA at ATL ($6,800): Dragic has outperformed this price all season and it's a wonder why he's south of $7,000. Not only is he averaging 36 fantasy points a game for the season, Dragic hasn't scored below 29 fantasy points in 16 straight.
Yogi Ferrell, DAL at MIN ($5,300): With Deron Williams being released Thursday, Ferrell should be ready to recapture the starting point-guard duties in Dallas. Since signing with the Mavericks on Jan. 30, Ferrell has averaged 14.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. That shows just how good he can be, with many of those games coming with Williams starting. Now that Williams is gone, Ferrell should be approaching the 35 minutes per game he was playing in Williams' absence. The matchup is spectacular too, with Minnesota ranking 24th in defensive efficiency.
Gordon Hayward, UTA at MIL ($7,300): Hayward was playing his best ball prior to the All-Star break and should be ready to build off that in such a good matchup. With at least 41 fantasy points in eight of his last 10 games, Hayward has re-established himself as the Jazz's go-to guy. It's the matchup that makes him so attractive, however, with Milwaukee allowing the second most fantasy points to small forwards this season. At just $7,300, Hayward is one of the best bets to exceed 5X value.
Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs. BRK ($5,500): Gallinari has seen his price drop due to his most recent injury, but now that he's healthy, he should be ready to return to his typical $6,500 form. Not only is he averaging nearly 30 fantasy points a game for the season, he has the matchup of all matchups against a Brooklyn defense that's allowed the most fantasy points to small forwards this season. After a tough loss Thursday, look for the Nuggets to lean on their second best player and ride him to a much needed win.
T.J. Warren, PHX at CHI ($4,600): With P.J. Tucker being traded Thursday, Warren is essentially the only small forward on this roster. That gives a guy whose already averaging 29 minutes a game a chance at approaching 40 minutes over the final 25. The minutes alone makes Warren valuable at just $4,600, but the fact that he's performed well makes him all the more intriguing. With at least 25 fantasy points in six of his last eight games, Warren is one of the best bets to exceed value with a price south of $5,000.
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. BRK ($10,800): Jokic has been one of the best fantasy players over the last month or two and should be able to exploit this matchup. Not only is he flirting with triple-doubles on a nightly basis, Jokic is regularly dropping 50 fantasy points a game. In fact, he has at least 50 fantasy points in seven of his last 11. The matchup is simply the icing on the cake, with Brooklyn allowing the fourth most fantasy points to centers this season.
Al Horford, BOS at TOR ($6,400): Horford has been underpriced on DraftKings all season and it simply doesn't add up. With 35 fantasy points being averaged per game, Horford is one of the best bets to exceed 5X value. The price along with the matchup makes Horford even more enticing given Toronto's weakness up front. Horford is not a great bet to go off and drop 50 fantasy points, but he's one of the safest bets to score 30-plus, thus providing great value at just $6,400.
Jahlil Okafor, PHI vs. WSH ($5,200): With Joel Embiid injured, Nerlens Noel sent packing and Ersan Ilyasova also traded, that leaves Okafor alone in this frontcourt. When Okafor gets the minutes and starts, he destroys his price tag. In fact, Okafor has averaged 20.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 blocks per-36 minutes in his career.
