This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Washington Wizards at Charlotte Hornets: The Wizards attempt relatively few threes for the modern NBA, and that could be a problem as they face off against the Hornets' stifling interior defense. Over their last 10 games, the Hornets boast the league's best opponent field goal percentage. Over that same period, they have dominated the league in opponent points per possession by a wide margin. Their lead over the fourth-ranked Spurs is the same as the Spurs' lead over the 26th ranked Timberwolves. And, for what it's worth, the Wizards are playing their second night of a back-to-back.
Offenses to Use
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers are in the throes of a 3-8 swan dive. Opponents are sinking threes at league-leading rates, and the Blazers are only defending field goals more effectively than a handful of lottery-bound teams. But as bad as the Blazers have been at defending, they've been even worse after the ball is in the air. They're being out-rebounded by nearly seven rebounds per game and hauling down a dismal 46.9 percent of available rebounds. When these two teams played two weeks ago, the Suns won 118-113.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns
Second game of a back-to-back: Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Damian Lillard, POR (vs PHO), PG, ($8,700): One of the best three-point shooters against one of the worst perimeter defenses – these are exactly the kinds of matchups I dream about. Among Thursday's point guards, only Darren Collison has been more consistent on a per-minute basis
Other suggestions: Brian Roberts, CHA (vs WAS), PG, ($4,500)
Shooting Guard
Wesley Matthews, POR (vs PHO), PG, ($6,000): There's not a lot to love in Thursday's shooting guard crop, so I'm going for the safe-ish hedge play. Like Lillard, Matthews benefits from the Suns' weak defense, and like Lillard, Matthews is a long-range sharpshooter capable of striking at their greatest weakness. On nights with fewer games, when the DraftKings score required to win is likely to be lower, I sometimes like targeting multiple leading scorers from a single team as a sort of insurance policy in case one struggles.
Other suggestions: Jamal Crawford, LAC (at CLE), SG, ($5,000)
Small Forward
Chandler Parsons, DAL (at SAC), SF, ($5,700): Over his past 10 games, Parsons has totaled fewer than 25 fantasy points just twice. On a busy night, daily gamers using a player at this price point are looking for about 27 fantasy points. That threshold decreases when fewer teams are in action, and Parsons gets the additional benefit of facing the struggling Kings.
Other suggestions: Al-Farouq Aminu, DAL (at SAC), SF, ($4,000)
Power Forward
Kris Humphries, WAS (at CHA), PF, ($4,600): Though there are some downsides to the matchup, as mentioned in the "defenses to avoid" section, Humphries has played well of late. Before Wednesday's poor showing against the Hawks, Humphries had posted double-digit points or rebounds in five straight, including three double-doubles. In a strange coincidence, all teams in action Thursday are tougher-than-average against power forwards. Therefore, though the Hornets are 15th in the league against the position, they are one of the most favorable opponents available for this particular set of teams.
Other suggestions: Marcus Morris, PHO (at POR), PF, ($3,200); Markieff Morris, PHO (at POR), PF, ($5,900)
Center
DaAndre Jordan, LAC (at CLE), C, ($7,800): Jordan's price has fluctuated considerably this season, and Thursday's salary is on the lower end of his spectrum. Yet his performance is trending upwards lately, and none of Tristan Thompson, Timofey Mozgov, or Kevin Love qualify as an intimidating defensive matchup.
Other suggestions: Tyson Chandler, DAL (at SAC), C, ($6,400)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Kemba Walker (knee)
Anderson Varejao (Achilles)
Rajon Rondo (face)
Eric Moreland (shoulder)
Joel Freeland (shoulder)
Game-Time Decision
Bismack Biyombo (knee) is unlikely to play. His initial timeline had him getting reevaluated in time for Thursday's game, but no further update is yet available.
Brendan Haywood (knee) is a game-time decision.
J.J. Redick (back) is unlikely to play Thursday.
Carl Landry (wrist) is a game-time decision. He played Tuesday, but only in limited minutes.
DeJuan Blair (illness) is a game-time decision.
