This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets: The out-of-form Raptors travel to Charlotte to face off with a hot Hornets squad. The Raptors top two guns, Lowry and DeRozan, haven't been doing much of late and the seventh best team in points allowed in the Hornets will look to continue to force production levels.
Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies are the best defensive team in the NBA and will look to take advantage of the inexperienced Lakers. Inconsistent playing time, inconsistent production, and an undersized lineup all make the Lakers fair to avoid in all formats.
Offenses to Use
Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers: The reasoning to use the Bulls is not high octane offense, nor weak defense from the Pacers, it's a litany of injuries that leaves the production with a set of players that are very low prices. No Rose, Butler or Gibson has opened up time for production from new and cheap faces.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets
Second game of a back-to-back: Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Isaiah Canaan, PG, PHI ($4,500): Canaan is now firmly at the helm of the 76ers offense, and while the 76ers are still as poor as ever, their point guards have proven productive no matter the name on the back of the jersey. Though he struggled when first taking over the job, Canaan's last outing, a 53.25 fantasy-point explosion, displayed the high upside here. There are a lot of good options at point guard Friday, but he's one of the better cheap options.
Other suggestions: Ray McCallum ($3,800) SAC at ORL; Isaiah Thomas ($6,000) BOS at NO; Brandon Knight ($6,200) PHO at BKN
Shooting Guard
Victor Oladipo, SG, ORL ($7,000): He's had over 30 fantasy points in each of his last four outings, capped by a 52 fantasy-point performance Wednesday. Oladipo did that against the Suns, and expecting another performance that big would be foolish; however, anything within 10-15 points of that would still be fitting.
Other suggestions: James Harden ($10,400) HOU vs DET
Small Forward
Mike Dunleavy, SF, CHI ($3,600): Dunleavy played 38 minutes Thursday, and it appears the Bulls are going to give him as much run as needed with all the injuries they're dealing with. He had over 40 fantasy points in six less minutes against Minnesota last weekend, and as long as Rose, Butler, and Gibson are out, he should have a consistently bigger role in the offense.
Other suggestions: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($6,000) CHA vs TOR; LeBron James ($10,500) CLE at ATL
Power Forward
Nikola Mirotic, PF, CHI ($5,700): In similar form to his small forward teammate (though costing over $2,000 more in price), Mirotic has been huge for the Bulls of late with 23 or more points scored in each of his last three games. Match that with at least eight rebounds, and Mirotic is very strong option at the power forward position Friday.
Other suggestions: Greg Monroe ($7,800) DET at HOU; Nerlens Noel ($6,700) PHI vs UTA
Center
Demarcus Cousins, C, SAC ($9,500): Cousins's recent lull in production is why he's available at over $1000 less than two weeks ago. With a night to rest his ankle and get his health in order, Cousins should get back to his fantasy-point average of 48.6 Friday against Orlando. Even if you go cheaper than Cousins, its worth spending on your center Friday with all cheap options either fighting for minutes or in tough matchups.
Other suggestions: Rudy Gobert ($7,200) UTA at PHI; Joakim Noah ($7,400) CHI at IND; Andre Drummond ($7,800) DET at HOU
INJURY REPORT
Out
Avery Bradley (elbow)
Derrick Rose (knee)
Jimmy Butler (elbow)
Taj Gibson (ankle)
Kemba Walker (knee)
Shawn Marion (hip)
Chandler Parsons (ankle)
Jusuf Nurkic (ankle)
Dwight Howard (knee)
Paul George (leg)
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Ryan Anderson (knee)
Kris Humphries (groin)
Game-Time Decision
Patrick Beverley (foot)
Terrence Jones (back)
Kostas Papanikolaou (ankle)
Nick Young (knee)
Vince Carter (foot)
Evan Fournier (hip)
Luke Ridnour (hamstring)
Robert Covington (elbow)
Kyle Lowry (rest)
