This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks: What's worse: the post-deadline Bucks offense or the post-deadline 76ers defense? In three games since giving away Brandon Knight, the Bucks have the worst points per possession in the league. Which makes sense, since they traded away their good shooting point guard. As for the 76ers, they traded away two giant strong defensive guards - Michael Carter-Williams and K.J. McDaniels - for draft picks and the Rocket's third-string point guard. After the trade deadline, the Sixers didn't have a single five-man unit that had logged five total minutes together. Predictably, their post-deadline defense is one of the worst in the league. There is too much turmoil and ugliness on both squads right now for me to trust anyone in this game.
Offenses to Use
New Jersey Nets at New Orleans Pelicans: In their two games since the break, the Nets have been absolutely rolling. They're scoring a scorching 1.15 points per possession, a figure significantly higher than the league-leading Clippers' season-long figure (1.10). Sure, it's a small sample size, and their opponents have been poor (at Lakers and at Nuggets), but the Pelicans defense, without Anthony Davis (shoulder), has been somewhat mediocre since the break. The Nets may slow down soon, but the undermanned Pelicans don't look ready to begin that deceleration. Somewhat unrelated aside: the Nets backcourt features four guards with alliterative names - Alan Anderson, Joe Johnson, Jarrett Jack, and Bojan Bogdanovic. Two of those, Anderson and Johnson, are cheap for than their recent productivity.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Phoenix Suns
Second game of a back-to-back: Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Ray McCallum, SAC (vs MEM), PG, ($3,300): It's unreasonable to expect a repeat of Saturday's 31.75 fantasy point outing from McCollum. On the other hand, McCollum is a starting point guard who has scored double-digit points in three of his last four games. He's averaging 24 minutes per game during that span. McCallum is a steal at this price point, costing near the salary minimum, and riding a four-game streak of DraftKings profitability.
Other suggestions: Elfrid Payton, ORL (vs MIA), PG, ($5,600); Isaiah Thomas, BOS (vs NY), PG, ($5,800); Dennis Schroder*, ATL (vs DAL), PG, ($3,200)
* Only if Jeff Teague (illness) is inactive.
Shooting Guard
Kris Middleton, MIL (vs PHI), SG, ($6400): Middleton is the one Buck I'm really interested in right now. While the rest of the offense is likely to suffer from Brandon Knight's absence, the Bucks will need Middleton to try to pick up some of the lost production. Even if Michael Carter-Williams (toe) is active Wednesday, the Bucks will need Middleton's offense. His price is on the border between fair and discount.
Other suggestions: Alan Anderson, BKN (at NO), SG, ($3600)
Small Forward
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA (at CHI), SF, ($5,500): Kidd-Gilchrist has scored 35 points in just two appearances since the All-Star break. Before the break, he was riding a six-game streak of double-digit scoring which was only snapped when he left a game early due to injury.
Other suggestions: Josh Smith, HOU (vs LAC), SF, ($6,800)
Power Forward
LaMarcus Aldridge, POR (vs SA), PF, ($9,000): If Aldridge says he's good to play, then I believe him. Few players in the league can rival Aldridge's toughness, and he's earned the right for us to assume that if he's playing, he will produce at his normal levels. Additionally, missing Sunday's game helped lower his price several hundred dollars.
Other suggestions: Trevor Booker, UTA (vs LAL), PF, ($3,100);
Center
Omer Asik, NO (vs BKN), C, ($4,900): Having Anthony Davis (shoulder) sidelined means lots of opportunities for Asik, who is averaging 14.5 points and 10 rebounds for 31.75 fantasy points per game over his last two outings. The Nets frontcourt is more imposing than that of the Heat or the Raptors – Asik's last two opponents – but that difference in opponent ability is far less significant than the difference in opportunity created by injuries.
Other suggestions: Alex Len, PHO (at DEN), C, ($4,900)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Thabo Sefolosha (calf)
Jared Sullinger (foot)
Kelly Olynyk (ankle)
Bojan Bogdanovic (ankle)
Mirza Teletovic (chest)
Bismack Biyombo (knee)
Kemba Walker (knee)
Derrick Rose (knee)
Chandler Parsons (ankle)
Dwight Howard (knee)
Kostas Papanikolaou (ankle)
Blake Griffin (elbow)
Ronnie Price (elbow)
Anthony Bennett (ankle)
Robbie Hummel (hand)
Ryan Anderson (knee)
Anthony Davis (shoulder)
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Joel Freeland (shoulder)
Darren Collison (hip)
Game-Time Decision
Jeff Teague (illness) is questionable.
Jarrett Jack (hamstring) will play Wednesday, but only limited minutes off the bench.
Taj Gibson (ankle) is day-to-day.
Kirk Hinrich (illness) is expected to play Wednesday.
Tyson Chandler (hip) is a probable.
Wilson Chandler (thigh) is a game-time decision.
Kenneth Faried (thumb) is a game-time decision.
Patrick Beverley (illness) is questionable.
Robert Sacre (foot) is questionable.
Nick Young (knee) is questionable.
Vince Carter (foot) is a game-time decision.
Michael Carter-Williams (toe) is probable.
Kevin Garnett (personal) will play and will start Wednesday.
Gary Neal (ankle) is doubtful.
Tyreke Evans (illness) is a game-time decision.
Shane Larkin (illness) is a game-time decision.
Jerami Grant (back) is a game-time decision.
LaMarcus Aldridge (thumb) will play Wednesday.
Reggie Evans (knee) is a game-time decision.
Lucas Nogueira (groin) is a game-time decision.
Bradley Beal (leg) is day-to-day, and he did not play Tuesday.
