This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns
The Spurs are one of the best defenses in the NBA, as well as being one of the best teams overall. The Suns are relatively weak on offense, as well as being one of the worst teams overall. This game has blowout potential, which could lead to starters not getting their full allotment of minutes. And when the Suns' starters do play, they'll be facing a defense that is ninth against point guards, second against shooting guards, first against small forwards (though, admittedly, Kawhi Leonard may not play), 10th against power forwards and 15th against centers.
Offenses to Use
Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This could have easily been the Mavericks at home against the 76ers, another great matchup. The Bulls get this slot because they've got a hot point guard and a strong center facing a former team, and the Lakers stink defending both the point guard and center positions. In fact, the Lakers are 28th against point guards, 14th against shooting guards, 28th against small forwards, 14th against power forwards and 29th against opposing centers.
Teams on Back-to-Backs
First game: Celtics, Cavaliers, Pistons, Pacers, Lakers, Suns, Raptors
Second game: None
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Derrick Rose, CHI vs. LAL ($7,200): Rose has played some of his best basketball of the year in his last handful of games, averaging 22.8 points, 6.3 assists and 5.8 boards per game over his last six. With Jimmy Butler out, Rose is handling a bigger part of the offense and producing. On Sunday, he has an excellent matchup against a weak Lakers defense.
Other suggestions: Tony Parker, SAS at PHO ($4,900); Jrue Holiday, NOP at DET ($7,300)
Shooting Guard
Rodney Hood, UTA at POR ($6,000): Hood is a solid option, averaging 18.3 points, 4.3 boards, 3.5 assists and 2.3 treys per game over his last four. He also has a good matchup on Sunday against a Trail Blazers defense that has struggled against shooting guards this season.
Other suggestions: Evan Fournier, ORL vs. IND ($5,600); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET vs. NOP ($5,200)
Small Forward
Chandler Parsons, DAL vs. PHI ($6,400): Parsons is the man in Dallas. He seemed to burn out a bit entering the All-Star break, but he has come out of the break averaging 24.0 points with 4.5 treys, 2.5 boards, 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per game over his last two. On Sunday, he has a good matchup against a weak 76ers wing defense.
Other suggestions: Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs. BOS ($6900); Jae Crowder, BOS at DEN ($5,700)
Power Forward
Nerlens Noel, PHI at DAL ($6,600): Noel is too tall and athletic for Dirk Nowitzki to handle, and he should do his customary good job on the boards and on defense. He also demonstrated a surprisingly strong offensive game in his first game back from the All-Star break, dropping 24 points on Anthony Davis and the Pelicans.
Other suggestions: Bobby Portis, CHI vs. LAL ($4,500); Derrick Favors, UTA at POR ($7,200)
Center
Pau Gasol, CHI vs. LAL ($8,500): Gasol had 18 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in his last game against a solid Raptors defense, and on Sunday he gets a crack at his former team, who has allowed a ton of fantasy points to centers this season.
Other suggestions: Zaza Pachulia, DAL vs. PHI ($5,800), Andre Drummond, DET vs. NOP ($8,000)
Injury Report
Out
Andre Roberson, OKC (knee)
Tyreke Evans, NOP (knee)
Eric Gordon, NOP (knee)
Quincy Pondexter, NOP (knee)
Spencer Dinwiddie, DET (ankle)
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Donatas Motiejunas, DET (back)
Kelly Olynyk, BOS (shoulder)
Wilson Chandler, DEN (hip)
Manu Ginobili, SAS (groin)
Matt Bonner, SAS (calf)
Brandon Knight, PHO (groin)
Eric Bledsoe, PHO (knee)
T.J. Warren, PHO (foot)
Rodney Stuckey, IND (ankle)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA (shoulder)
Spencer Hawes, CHA (back)
Jarrett Jack, BKN (knee)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN (ankle)
Marc Gasol, MEM (foot)
DeMarre Carroll, TOR (knee)
Jimmy Butler, CHI (knee)
Nikola Mirotic, CHI (appendectomy)
Joakim Noah, CHI (shoulder)
Alec Burks, UTA (ankle)
Dante Exum, UTA (knee)
Game-Time Decision
Iman Shumpert, CLE (shoulder)
Marcus Thornton, DET (trade)
Jameer Nelson, DEN (wrist)
Kawhi Leonard, SAS (calf)
Alex Len, PHO (ankle)
C.J. Miles, IND (illness)
Jared Cunningham, ORL (trade)
Courtney Lee, CHA (trade)
Jerami Grant, PHI (eye)
Deron Williams, DAL (ankle)
Devin Harris, DAL (toe)
Tony Allen, MEM (knee)
Lance Stephenson, MEM (hip)
Kobe Bryant, LAL (finger)
Shelvin Mack, UTA (trade)
