This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Houston Rockets vs. Brooklyn Nets: It seems crazy to recommend that you avoid players up against a Mike D'Antoni defense, but the Rockets have limited opponents to under 100 points in three straight games. One of those opponents was Russell Westbrook and the Thunder on the road, which doesn't seem like a fluke. The Nets have absolutely no threats on offense outside of Brook Lopez, and Sean Kilpatrick and Bojan Bogdanovic are streaky at best. Houston's defense may not be stifling, but its offense should be able to get out to a big lead at home, which obviously wouldn't bode well for Brooklyn's offensive prospects.
Offense to Use:
Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers: With Kemba Walker expected to play Monday, the Hornets' offense should be targeted in stacks against a poor Pacers defense. Indiana has allowed an average of 115.2 points per game in its past six and Charlotte is no slouch on offense. The Hornets are 14th in the league with 104.7 points per game and offer affordable players to stack alongside Walker. Nic Batum ($6,600) is the next-highest-priced player behind Walker and everyone else on Charlotte's roster costs less than $4,300. History helps too as the Hornets defeated the Pacers 122-100 earlier in the season.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Trail Blazers
Second game: Lakers
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at TOR ($9,800): Paying up for James Harden ($11,400) has seemed to work well for owners this season, but if Harden is too rich for your blood go with the Greek Freak. Antetokounmpo is averaging close to 50 DraftKings points per contest in his past 10 games and is coming off a 28-point performance against the Wizards. The Raptors have done a decent job limiting point guards in DraftKings (53.8 points against per game), but Antetokounmpo is a different type of lead guard at 6-foot-11. He'll save you some cash and has just as high a ceiling as Harden.
Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. DEN ($5,600): Matthews has at least 28.0 DraftKings points in seven of his past eight games and gets a great matchup against the Nuggets, who allow the most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season. Denver is allowing opponents to shoot 35.2 percent from distance and Matthews is on fire lately, shooting 43.7 percent from downtown in his past seven games. He's hit at least four 3-pointers in seven of his past eight games and is a solid option for both cash games and tournaments considering his production and price.
C.J. Miles, IND vs. CHA ($3,900): Miles has become a nice irrational confidence man off the bench for the Pacers, who could use his shooting in this game if it gets out of hand. He's averaged fewer DraftKings points at home this season (18.0) but is shooting much better from outside (48.7 percent). Miles has the ability to hit around 30-plus fantasy points and that's exactly what you're banking on for tournaments with his salary below the $4,000 mark.
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. LAL ($10,900): Other than the Greek Freak, Harden and maybe John Wall, Cousins has the best shot to throw up 60-plus fantasy points against the Lakers at home, where he's averaging 30.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 10 games. Boogie had 28 points, nine boards and four assists against Los Angeles in a loss on Nov. 10 and gets the Lakers reeling on a back-to-back during a six-game losing streak. Even if LA comes in and makes the game competitive, they have no one to stop Cousins. Employ him as an anchor in your lineups, but beware of his high price tag.
Julius Randle, LAL at SAC ($6,300): Randle enters Sunday's game against the Knicks with 30 or more DraftKings points in three straight. He's posted a double-double in four of seven games and has been productive, despite a dip in salary since Dec. 2 ($6,800). Randle is dealing with a hip injury, so he's going to need some monitoring, but if he doesn't play that could open up opportunities for Larry Nance Jr. ($4,100) or Luol Deng ($3,500). Both would be solid tournament punt plays.
Trevor Ariza, HOU vs. BKN ($5,400): The Rockets, who have won six in a row, are an appealing stack option against the Nets, who are allowing the most DraftKings points to opposing small forwards. Ariza has gone six straight games with 20-plus fantasy points and has at least seven boards in four of his past five. He's dealing with back spasms, so make sure to check his availability before the game, but if he plays he makes for a great play with teammates Clint Capela ($5,300) and Patrick Beverley ($4,900).
Brook Lopez, BKN at HOU ($6,600): If the script for this game goes according to plan, the Nets will need a heavy dose of Lopez if they want to hang with the Rockets. This should lead to around 20 touches and he'll likely need to launch a couple of 3-pointers as well. Lopez has at least 44 DraftKings points in three of his past four games when he takes 15 or more shot attempts from the field. He's also hit at least two 3-pointers in seven of his past eight contests. There aren't many elite options at center so paying down for Lopez, who has a decent ceiling and high floor, makes a lot of sense.
Nikola Jokic, DEN at DAL ($5,800): Jokic saw his four-game streak with a double-double come to an end Saturday, but that didn't stop him from putting up 36 DraftKings points with 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. Jokic has shot a better percentage from the field in 12 road games this season (53.5 percent) and the Nuggets perimeter players should throw up plenty of shots, giving Jokic a nice chance at starting a new double-double streak.
Cody Zeller, CHA at IND ($4,300): Zeller is another solid home run play for tournaments, joining several of his Charlotte teammates in that group. He's coming off one of his best performances of the season with 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals for 32.75 DraftKings points against the mighty Cavaliers. Zeller has been just as efficient on the road as he has been at home, despite the fact that he plays six fewer minutes per game (22.2 DraftKings points per game) away from the Spectrum Center.
