This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Utah Jazz at Phoenix Suns: The Suns may have the better record, but it's doubtful they are truly the better team, which is really neither here nor there as the Jazz play at a pace that'll lull you to sleep. The Jazz are bigger, slower, and better defensively, and the over/under is sub-190. The Suns have lost five in a row and are making a strong case for everyone to just stay away until the team proves they didn't completely forget how to win a game. This is not the running-gunning Suns of old, they've scored over one hundred points just once in the last six games.
Offenses to Use
Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets: The Clippers have the advantage at every position size-and-skill-wise. The score for this game is a strong contender to be the highest of the night. We just have to hope the Nuggets keep it close enough so the Clippers' starters will see a full slate of minutes.
Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks are in the playoffs, they are the top seed. The Nets look more and more likely to be in the playoffs, but it's far from a sure thing. The Hawks can win, they can lose, but they are most concerned with staying healthy. You may never get full minutes out of a Hawks starter the rest of the season. They protect their home court, but they've lost five of their last eight. The Nets are white-hot fire and have won their last six. It's a risk to bet against the Hawks, but it's fairly calculated in this spot. Plus, the Nets' starters are all simply priced too low.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers
Second game of a back-to-back: Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Deron Williams, PG, BKN ($6,300): Normally, the Hawks are a fairly tough team to pick against, regardless of position. This is an abnormal circumstance between two teams at very different places. The Hawks are already in cruise control riding into the playoffs as the one seed. The Nets are, however, fighting tooth and nail to secure their playoff spot and have been as hot a team as the NBA has to offer over the last week. Williams has been an integral part of this hot streak, scoring over 30 points in his last four and breaking forty in four of his last seven. Friday against Toronto Williams really took over and lead his team to victory behind an impressive 51.25 fantasy points. His price is not indicative of his current production level, and this should be exploited with near reckless abandon regardless of opponent until the price spikes.
Other suggestions: Stephen Curry ($9,300) GS at DAL, Kemba Walker ($7,700) CHA vs PHI, Michael Carter-WIlliams ($6,300) MIL vs ORL
Shooting Guard
Tyreke Evans, SG, NO ($7,600): Evans is a very intriguing option at the shooting guard position because, well, he doesn't play there. He's actually leading the point for New Orleans against a Portland side that is pretty good against two guards and pretty bad against point guards. So, seeing the opponent ranking in the red could scare some lost souls away from Evans when really his matchup with Portland is a favorable one. Add in the fact that Evans lead the shooting guard position Friday night with 51 FPTs and that his Pelicans are still not without a shot to put themselves into the playoffs, you have a formula for statistical success.
Other suggestions: Gerald Henderson ($5,700) CHA vs PHI, Arron Afflalo ($4,300) POR vs NO, Markel Brown ($4,000) BKN at ATL, Joe Ingles ($3,300) UTA at PHO
Small Forward
Luol Deng, SF, MIA ($5,500): Deng has a very important role on his injury-ridden, playoff-contending Heat. Dwyane Wade may or may not go Saturday, and Deng's upside undoubtedly goes up a little with Wade out and down a tad with Wade in, but with the shortness of depth existing in Miami right now with either an undersized offensively deficient Henry Walker or a first-time-back Udonis Haslem playing the four, Deng has value regardless.
Note: If Paul Pierce does end up sitting out again, Otto Porter ($3,600) would once again be a logical choice even against the defensively stout Memphis Grizzlies.
Other suggestions: Gordon Hayward ($7,800) UTA at PHO, Tobias Harris ($6,400) ORL at MIL, Joe Johnson ($6,600) BKN at ATL
Power Forward
Blake Griffin, PF, LAC ($8,600): It hasn't been a question of talent level, no not ever. Just of health. Well, it appears Griffin is healthy coming off three consecutive 40-plus fantasy point outings (including a monstrous 70.5 on Golden State - who were admittedly without Draymond Green). He plays the type of game that flirts with triple-double stats while also being a very strong defensive presence. His wide-spread scoring over every category builds up security while allowing for potential for huge nights - like what he did against Golden State. Denver is extremely undersized. The Clippers frontcourt should have a heyday.
Other suggestions: Anthony Tolliver ($4,300) DET vs MIA, Nerlens Noel ($7,900) PHI at CHA, Dirk Nowitzki ($5,900) DAL at GS*, Marvin Williams ($5,100) CHA vs PHI
*Matchup way better with Draymond Green out, usable but not as much so if he plays
Center
DeAndre Jordan, C, LAC ($8,100): It may be a stretch rating two players so highly on the same team playing so close to each other, but it just makes so much sense. Is there a foreseeable situation where Jordan doesn't grab fifteen-plus rebounds, gets into double-digit scoring and blocks a few shots against a vastly inferior Denver squad? Gallinari, who plays the two-guard at times has been playing the four while undersized Kenneth Faried sees time at center. It's hard to see either one of those two being able to do much against the premier Clipper frontcourt who is getting healthy at exactly the right time.
Other suggestions: Hassan Whiteside ($7,300) MIA at DET, Jonas Valanciunas ($6,000) TOR vs BOS, Rudy Gobert ($8,400) UTA at PHO
INJURY REPORT
Out
Isaiah Canaan (foot)
Joel Embiid (foot)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle)
Alan Anderson (ankle)
Dennis Schroder (toe)
Shabazz Napier (hernia)
Greg Monroe (knee)
Luke RIdnour (paternity)
Evan Fournier (hip)
Devyn Marble (eye)
Jamal Crawford (calf)
Danny Granger (knee)
Alex Len (nose)
Marcus Thornton (toe)
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Dorell Wright (hand)
Wesley Matthews (achilles)
Game-Time Decision
Cody Zeller (shoulder)
Mike Scott (toe)
Amir Johnson (ankle)
Kyle Lowry (back)
Dwyane Wade (illness)
Udonis Haslem (illness)
Spencer Dinwiddie (ankle)
Paul Pierce (rest)
Nene Hilario (rest)
DeJuan Blair (personal)
Garrett Temple (hamstring)
Chandler Parsons (knee)
Darrell Arthur (calf)
Rodney Hood (concussion)
Brandon Knight (ankle)
