This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Sacramento Kings at Milwaukee Bucks: On such a busy night, there are several matchups to be wary of - the Spurs, Warriors, and Grizzlies are all intimidating visitors facing the Pistons, Timberwolves, and Thunder, respectively. The Kings, however, look to have the toughest challenge. The Bucks have been one of the stingiest defenses in the league lately, according to a slew of defensive metrics. Opponents can't make their threes, nor their twos, and the Bucks are forcing a massive numbers of turnovers. The Bucks are a weak rebounding team, but outside of rebounds, the Bucks' do everything else wonderfully of defense.
Offenses to Use
Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks: This game sees two top-10 offenses facing off against two below-average defenses. That's the fantasy dream. The Jazz rank seventh in points per possession over the past 10 games. That's ahead of the Mavs, who are ninth. The Jazz are also in the top 10 for field goal and three-point percentage during that span. They even rank in the top half of the NBA for total rebounds, despite sporting the league's second slowest pace.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Cleveland Cavaliers
Second game of a back-to-back: Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Jeremy Lin, LAL (at POR), PG, ($3,800): At this salary, it doesn't take much to profit, which is good news for a player averaging little more than 20 minutes per game. As long as he's scoring in double digits and adding a light smattering of rebounds, assists, steals, and threes – which Lin has done three games in a row, as well as in five of his last seven – it's enough to profit. The Blazers are a good matchup at point guard.
Other suggestions: Marcus Smart, BOS (vs ATL), PG, ($4,700); D.J. Augustin, DET (vs SA), PG, ($7,200)
Shooting Guard
J.R. Smith, CLE (vs MIA), PG, ($4,400): Smith keeps throwing up a stinker every couple of games. As a fan, it's annoying. As a math guy, it's confusing. But as a daily fantasy gamer, it's like a weekly gift, artificially depressing Smith's salary even as his usage and court time remain high.
Other suggestions: Wesley Matthews, POR (vs LAL), SG, ($5,800)
Small Forward
James Johnson, TOR (vs WAS), SF, ($3,600): Simply typing Johnson's name filled me with dread, but his recent play demands attention. Johnson is inconsistent and unpredictable, and that's not entirely his fault. Last month, he posted the following lines during a three-game stretch:
1/14/15: 15 minutes, 5 points (2-2 FG), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 9.5 fantasy points
1/16/15: 27 minutes, 17 points (7-11 FG), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 33.5 fantasy points
1/18/15: 11 minutes, 0 points (0-1 FG), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 fantasy points
After that stretch, he didn't see double-digit minutes again until last weekend. There were no roster or rotational shake-ups during those three games, all were close-ish, yet Johnson's role and productivity fluctuated wildly. And it's been that way all season. But he's riding back-to-back games with a significant role in the rotation, he started Sunday's win over the Spurs, and he's got 55.25 fantasy points over that two-game span. The potential reward is high, and the cost is low.
Other suggestions: Trevor Ariza, HOU (at LAC), SF, ($5,700)
Power Forward
Tim Duncan, SA (at DET), PF, ($7,400): Averaging a double-double over his last seven games, Duncan continues to stuff the stat sheet. He's a dangerous post passer, so even against a clogged Pistons' interior, Duncan is able to compile stats and stay productive. With the All-Star break beginning as soon as the clock strikes zero, it's safe to expect that he'll play a few extra minutes if the game situation calls for it.
Other suggestions: Draymond Green, GS (at MIN), PF, ($7,300); Jared Sullinger, BOS (vs ATL, PF, ($6,700)
Center
Al Horford, ATL (at BOS), C, ($7,900): With the predictable exception of Sunday's matchup against Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies, Horford is on a crazy hot streak. Double-doubles fill his stat sheet. The injured Celtics frontcourt is not equipped for challenge of stopping him.
Other suggestions: Marcin Gortat, WAS (at TOR), C, ($5,100)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Bismack Biyombo (knee)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (hamstring)
Anderson Varejao (Achilles)
Tyson Chandler (ankle)
Monta Ellis (hip)
Brandon Jennings (Achilles)
Dwight Howard (knee)
Paul George (leg)
Blake Griffin (elbow)
Kobe Bryant (shoulder)
Steve Nash (back)
Julius Randle (leg)
Josh McRoberts (knee)
Dwyane Wade (hamstring)
Damien Inglis (foot)
Kendall Marshall (knee)
Jabari Parker (knee)
Larry Sanders (suspension)
Kenyon Martin (ankle)
Vince Carter (foot)
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Ryan Anderson (elbow)
Steven Adams (hand)
Tobias Harris (knee)
Tony Wroten (knee)
Eric Moreland (knee)
Darren Collison (hip)
Alec Burks (shoulder)
Bradley Beal (toe)
Game-Time Decision
Shavlik Randolph (hamstring) is a game-time decision.
Cartier Martin (ankle) is questionable after missing Tuesday's game.
Caron Butler (back) is unlikely to play after missing Tuesday's game, but no official announcement has yet been made.
Draymond Green (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Alexey Shved (personal) is questionable. Very little is known about the cause of his absence, or his timeline for return.
Terrence Jones (illness) is questionable after missing Tuesday's game.
Ian Mahinmi (ankle) is questionable.
Lavoy Allen (ankle) is questionable.
Shawne Williams (hip) is questionable.
James Ennis (knee) is a game-time decision.
Amar'e Stoudemire (ankle) will play Wednesday.
Carmelo Anthony (knee) is doubtful.
Anthony Davis (shoulder) is questionable.
Luke Ridnour (personal) is a game-time decision.
Michael Carter-Williams (toe) is a game-time decision.
Rudy Gay (foot) is a game-time decision.
Derrick Williams (ankle) is questionable.
Manu Ginobili (rest) is a game-time decision.
Lucas Nogueira (groin) is a game-time decision.
Kris Humphries (back) is day-to-day.
Joe Ingles (back) is unlikely to play Wednesday.
John Wall (ankle) is listed as a game-time decision, but indications are that he is likely to play Wednesday.
