This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
New York Knicks at Washington Wizards: The Knicks, on the road, against a team that is desperate for any win they can get? Sounds like a recipe for a low-scoring affair for the team from New York. The Wizards should be more focused on this game as they try to improve their playoff position, and there's not a whole lot of Knicks that I would be comfortable using anyways.
Offenses to Use
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers: The Blazers are paper-thin right now after being decimated by injuries, so their big pieces should play a ton. That's great in any scenario, but even better when the matchup is the hapless Lakers. The only thing stopping their starters from putting up nice stat lines will be a massive blow out.
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: None
Point Guard
Damian Lillard, POR at LAL ($7,800): Lillard has been a lukewarm option of late, but he is primed for a big game against the Lakers on Friday. He's torched them to the tune of 46 DraftKings points per game this season, and should be set up to have a nice stat line in their fourth meeting.
Other suggestions: Reggie Jackson, DET at CHI ($8,500), Jeremy Lin, LAL vs. POR ($5,700)
Shooting Guard
Jabari Brown, LAL vs. POR ($3,300): With the news that Wayne Ellington (shoulder) is out for the year, the door is wide open for Brown to make an impact. Jeremy Lin will likely start, but at Brown's price he's a nice flier option for those looking to punt the shooting guard slot. He needs to hit around 15 DraftKings points to make value, and he's worth adding in lineups to fit more studs in.
Other suggestions: Arron Afflalo, POR at LAL ($4,300), Victor Oladipo, ORL at MIN ($7,500)
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard, SA vs. DEN ($7,900): Leonard has been absolutely killing the Nuggets this year. The dynamic forward is averaging 50 DraftKings points in three games against Denver this season, and there's little reason to think he won't turn in another good performance given the way he's been playing lately. If you can stomach paying for the top small forward on the board, he's worth it.
Other suggestions: Nicolas Batum, POR at LAL ($6,700), Jeff Green, MEM vs. OKC ($5,600)
Power Forward
Pau Gasol, CHI vs. DET ($8,200): Gasol hasn't been as good as he was early in the season, but he's still a reliable option that can put up big fantasy points at the power forward slot. Against the Pistons, he'll get a good matchup against a team that he's averaged over 40 DraftKings points against this season.
Other suggestions: Zach Randolph, MEM vs. OKC ($6,900), Ryan Anderson, NO at SAC ($4,600)
Center
Chris Kaman, POR at LAL ($3,500): Kaman is another cheap option if you decide to try to fill your roster with high-priced studs elsewhere. He's averaging over 20 DraftKings points over his last four games, and he's also averaged about 32 DraftKings points against the Lakers this season. The minutes are an issue, but there's a lot of potential value.
Other suggestions: DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. NO ($10,000), Brook Lopez, BKN vs. TOR ($8,200)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Alexey Shved (rib)
Darren Collison (hip)
Wayne Ellington (shoulder)
Evan Fournier (hip)
Rudy Gay (concussion)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle)
Paul George (leg)
Dorell Wright (hand)
Greg Monroe (knee)
Serge Ibaka (knee)
Gorgui Dieng (concussion)
Game-Time Decision
Ricky Rubio (ankle) is doubtful.
Kyle Lowry (back)
Kevin Martin (hamstring) is probable.
Rodney Stuckey (wrst)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (wrist)
Gary Neal (ankle) is doubtful.
Tony Allen (hamstring)
Zach Randolph (elbow)
Kevin Garnett (knee) is doubtful.
Cody Zeller (shoulder)
J.J. Hickson (knee)
Steven Adams (ankle)
