This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense to Avoid:
Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Dallas has been fighting to stay in the playoff hunt and they're playing their best defense of the season. They have won five straight while allowing fewer than 90 points in all each game. Their matchup is very encouraging too, as the Grizzlies' offense is one of the worst in the league, ranking 24th in scoring and are playing without Mark Gasol, Mike Conley and Mario Chalmers.
Offense to Use:
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Pelicans offense is a shell of itself, but that gives us some good value in a great matchup. They play against the Lakers, who rank 29th in total defense and allow the most points per game on the road in the NBA. What is most enticing about the Pelicans is all the value plays they have. With Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson all injured, many players have had to take on huge roles at extremely affordable prices. In fact, no one on their starting five is over $5,400 and any one of them could have a huge game against the Lakers' defense.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First Game: Celtics, Grizzlies, Pelicans
Second Game: Heat, Raptors, Spurs
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Toney Douglas, NOP vs. LAL ($5,400): Douglas has taken over starting point guard duties with all the injuries in New Orleans and playing some of the best ball of his career, averaging 12.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game over his last 16. That's nearly 30 fantasy points per game, which is a fantastic value at his price. The matchup is too good to pass up as well, with the Lakers allowing the most fantasy points per game to point guards in the league.
Other Options: Reggie Jackson, DET vs. WSH ($6,100); D'Angelo Russell at NOP ($4,800)
Shooting Guard
Rashad Vaughn, MIL vs. WSH ($3,200): This is the definition of a punt play, and while it does come with some serious risks, it can pay off in a huge way. With Milwaukee's season over, they have leaned on the rookie more recently, and he is averaging over 18 fantasy points in over 30 minutes per game across his last four. That doesn't sound great, but it's hard to pass up at his price. Spending $3,200 at any position can allow you to stack across the board and that's what makes Vaughn such an intriguing play. The matchup is solid too, with the Wizards possessing one of the worst defenses in the league.
Other Options: Dwyane Wade, MIA at ORL ($6,700); Langston Galloway, NYK at PHI ($3,700)
Small Forward
Derrick Williams, NYK at PHI ($4,600): Williams is yet another player thriving off end-of-the-season antics and it makes him a very interesting option. With the Knicks season well out of hand, they have inserted Williams into the starting lineup and he's responded by averaging 15.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game across his last four. What's most encouraging is that he is playing 30 minutes per game and taking double-digit shots. The matchup is the icing on the cake, with Philadelphia ranking 29th in fantasy points allowed per game to small forwards this season.
Other Options: Luke Babbitt, NOP vs. LAL ($5,100); Dante Cunningham, NOP vs. LAL ($3,600)
Power Forward
Thomas Robinson, BKN at CHA ($5,500): There has been no better replacement player over the last few weeks than Robinson. Not only has he scored at least 28 fantasy points in five straight games, he is averaging over 37 fantasy points per game in that span. With Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young being rested for the remainder of the season, that leaves Robinson as the only reliable frontcourt option. The matchup isn't bad either, with the Hornets ranking 21st in fantasy points allowed per game to power forwards this season.
Other Options: Zach Randolph, MEM at DAL ($6,700); Julius Randle, LAL at NOP ($6,000)
Center
Alexis Ajinca, NOP vs. LAL ($4,400): With Ryan Anderson and Anthony Davis injured, Ajinca has been leaned on as one of the only options in the frontcourt. Ajinca is averaging 13.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game over his last eight, which equates to over 26 fantasy points per game, nearly 6x value. That's hard to pass up, as 6x value across your roster will get you 300 points. That alone should be enough incentive, but the matchup against the Lakers makes this play hard to pass up, as Los Angeles is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to centers for the season.
Other Options: Al Jefferson, CHA vs. BRK ($4,500); Cole Aldrich, LAC at UTA ($3,500)
INJURY REPORT
Out:
Jarrett Jack – BRK (knee)
Brook Lopez – BRK (tanking)
Thaddeus Young – BRK (tanking)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - CHA (shoulder)
Chandler Parsons – DAL (knee)
Danilo Gallinari – DEN (ankle)
Wilson Chandler – DEN (hip)
Blake Griffin – LAC (hand)
Chris Paul – LAC (rest)
DeAndre Jordan – LAC (rest)
Wesley Johnson – LAC (foot)
Marc Gasol – MEM (foot)
Mario Chalmers – MEM (achilles)
Mike Conley – MEM (foot)
Chris Bosh – MIA (blood clot)
Tyler Johnson – MIA (shoulder)
Michael Carter-Williams - MIL (knee)
O.J. Mayo – MIL (leg)
Greivis Vasquez – MIL (ankle)
Tyreke Evans – NOP (knee)
Quincy Pondexter – NOP (knee)
Eric Gordon – NOP (finger)
Alonzo Gee – NOP (quad)
Ryan Anderson – NOP (groin)
Anthony Davis – NOP (knee)
Jrue Holiday – NOP (eye)
Aaron Gordon – ORL (concussion)
Joel Embiid – PHI (foor)
DeMarre Carroll – TOR (knee)
Alec Burks – UTA (leg)
Game-Time Decision:
Marcus Smart – BOS (eye)
Evan Turner – BOS (eye)
Nicolas Batum – CHA (knee)
Deron Williams – DAL (abs)
Darrell Arthur – DEN (personal)
Jodie Meeks – DET (foot)
Myles Turner – IND (finger)
Austin Rivers – LAC (ankle)
Jeff Green – LAC (knee)
Jamal Crawford – LAC (unknown)
Kobe Bryant – LAL (20 years)
Lou Williams – LAL (unknown)
Brandan Wright – MEM (knee)
Jerryd Bayless – MIL (knee)
Khris Middleton – MIL (thigh)
Norris Cole – NOP (back)
Tim Frazier – NOP (ankle)
Kristaps Porzingis – NYK (shoulder)
Jose Calderon – NYK (quad)
Nerlens Noel – PHI (knee)
Jerami Grant – PHI (knee)
Patrick Patterson – TOR (ankle)
John Wall – WSH (knee)
