This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid:Utah Jazz vs New York Knicks: Not that you were going to load your lineup with Knicks players, but on the off chance that you were, please reconsider. Utah has allowed more than 90 points just once since the All-Star break and New York is coming off a 78-point outing in Denver last night.
Offenses to Use:Dallas Mavericks vs Cleveland Cavaliers: The Mavericks are the NBA's third-highest scoring team in their home arena, averaging 106 points per home outing. They also have a number of viable options for under $6,500 such as Rajon Rondo, Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki that will give you flexibility to spend on higher-salaried players. The Pistons deserve an honorable mention here as they face a Lakers team that routinely allows well over 100 points.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic
Second game of a back-to-back: New Orleans Pelicans New York Knicks
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
If you've never played on DraftKings.com before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article.
Point Guard
Kyrie Irving, CLE at DAL ($7,400): With the exception of last Friday's game against Atlanta, Irving's price tag hasn't been this low since Nov. 10. There is some merit to the price decline, as his contributions outside the scoring column have been spotty lately, but on a night when the point guard crop is a little thin as far as elite options are concerned, Irving is arguably the best of the bunch and you won't have to sacrifice at other lineup spots to roster him. He draws a matchup against Dallas, which means this is probably going to be a high-scoring affair. Irving in the mid-$7K range is a nice value. If you're looking for a cheaper option at PG or your second guard slot, Norris Cole ($3,300) is worth considering as Tyreke Evans (ankle) is out against Brooklyn.
Other suggestions: Reggie Jackson, DET vs. LAL ($7,000) ; Rajon Rondo, DAL vs. CLE ($6,400); George Hill, IND vs ORL ($6,400)
Shooting Guard
Wayne Ellington, LAL vs. DET ($4,700): Ellington has been hovering in the mid $4K range over the past month, but he has outperformed his price tag with some regularity during that stretch. A few bad games in the bunch have kept his salary at the bargain-bin level, but Tuesday's matchup against Detroit gives him some strong upside. The Pistons are allowing the sixth-most DK points to opposing shooting guards over the last five games and the fifth-most over the course of the season. Ellington has carved out a role to where he'll be on the floor long enough and get enough looks to cobble together a solid outing for his price despite his lackluster shooting percentage.
Other suggestions:Rodney Stuckey, IND vs ORL ($5,800); Alexey Shved*, NYK vs UTA ($3,400)
*if Tim Hardaway is out
Small Forward
Chandler Parsons, DAL vs CLE ($5,500): Parsons returned to the court Sunday after missing seven games due to an ankle injury and put up 11 points, six boards, and two assists over 35 minutes. He also did this...
...which was pretty nifty in my book. Parsons is in the lower end of his salary range thanks in part to his absence, and that's something you can use to your advantage tonight.
Other suggestions: Gordon Hayward, UTA vs NYK ($7,500)
Power Forward
Greg Monroe, DET at LAL ($8,100): Monroe is one of the more expensive options going tonight, but his recent dominance coupled with the lack of top-tier options makes him worth the money. Since the break, Monroe hasn't had fewer than 32 DK points in a game and has had five games with at least 40. The matchup with the Lakers certainly doesn't hurt his chances of continuing that level of production. Anthony Davis is obviously the best PF option, but Monroe is $2,600 cheaper. Power Forward is the most loaded position on Tuesday and the shortcomings at other spots frees up some room to spend at PF.
Other suggestions: Dirk Nowitzki, DAL vs CLE ($5,800)
Center
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs NYK ($7,500): Gobert's time as a steal in daily games is over, as his salary has ballooned by $3K since the All-Star break, but his matchup tonight may be too good to pass up. He's going against a Knicks front court that was outrebounded by a banged up and undersized Nuggets front court on Monday. While Gobert is hardly reliable offensively, he should be in line for a big night on the boards and could add some blocks as well.
Brook Lopez ($6,100) is also worth a look after turning in back-to-back 40-DK-point outings and moving back into the starting lineup.
Other suggestions: Timofey Mozgov, CLE at DAL ($4,900)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Tyreke Evans (Ankle)
Ryan Anderson (Knee)
Jrue Holiday (Leg)
Nick Young (Knee)
Jose Calderon (Achilles)
Game-Time Decision
Nikola Vucevic (Ankle)-Probable
Luke Ridnour (Hamstring)
Donald Sloan (Illness)
Roy Hibbert (Illness)
Devin Harris (Hand)
Willie Green (Achilles)
Quincy Acy (Knee)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (Back)
Carlos Boozer (Ankle)
Joel Anthony (Groin)
