This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
There are no bad defensive matchups Sunday. On paper, literally every game should produce good fantasy numbers. The Warriors are the choice because they are a solid defense overall, if terrible against opposing wings, but also because this game has the most blowout potential. If the Warriors take care of business like they should, neither team should be playing their starters more than 25 – 30 minutes and production could be depressed. That's a thin reed because the 76ers have an odd knack of keeping the score competitive.
Offenses to Use:
Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings
The Kings are terrible on defense across the board, ranking 29th against point guards, 28th against shooting guards, 15th against small forwards, 30th against power forwards and 14th against centers. On top of that, the Mavericks are dealing with injuries to Chandler Parsons and Deron Williams, which means they have lots of potential value production players.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Mavericks, Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Kings
Second game: Pacers, 76ers
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Rajon Rondo, SAC vs. DAL ($7,700): Rondo's got a potential revenge game against a Mavericks team he just didn't get along with last season. He's also averaged about 45 fantasy points per game over his last two, including 58.5 on Wednesday against the Timberwolves. And the Mavericks rank 26th in the NBA against point guards.
Other suggestions: Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. WAS ($5,000); J.J. Barea, DAL at SAC ($4,300)
Shooting Guard
Raymond Felton, DAL at SAC ($4,100): Felton is risky because he is up-and-down, but he had 17 points, five rebounds and five assists Friday against the Warriors. Felton had a larger role than usual with the injury absence of Deron Williams and the personal absence of Devin Harris. Harris will be back, but Williams is still out, which should give Felton the chance to produce Sunday against a Kings defense that is 29th in the NBA against point guards and 28th against shooting guards.
Other suggestions: Wesley Matthews, DAL at SAC ($4,800); Klay Thompson, GSW vs. PHI ($6,900)
Small Forward
Otto Porter, WAS at LAL ($5,300): Porter has bounced back of late, averaging 29.7 fantasy points per game over his last five. He is coming off a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double Friday against the Timberwolves, and on Sunday he faces a Lakers defense that is 28th against small forwards.
Other suggestions: Paul George, IND vs HOU ($8300), Jerami Grant, PHI at GS ($5200)
Power Forward
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL at SAC ($7,200): Nowitzki is continuing his throw-back tour, averaging 26.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals per game in his last nine. Nowitzki can sense the end of the season approaching, and with his Mavericks clinging to the eighth playoff slot out West, he is trying to carry them over the finish line.
Other suggestions: Julius Randle, LAL vs. WAS ($6,400); Myles Turner, IND vs. HOU ($5,300)
Center
Marcin Gortat, WAS at LAL ($6,600): Gortat has four double-doubles in his last five games, and averaged 16.5 points, 14.0 boards, 2.5 assists and a steal per game in his last two. On Sunday, he faces a Lakers defense that is 28th in the NBA against centers.
Other suggestions: Nikola Jokic, DEN at LAC ($6,000); Ian Mahinmi, IND vs. HOU ($4,600)
Injury Report
Out
Deron Williams, DAL (abdominal)
Chandler Parsons, DAL (knee, season)
Danilo Gallinari, DEN (ankle)
Andre Iguodala, GS (ankle)
Festus Ezeli, GS (knee)
Blake Griffin, LAC (hand, quad)
Game-Time Decision
Devin Harris, DAL (personal)
Paul George, IND (lower leg)
D'Angelo Russell, LAL (ankle)
Ryan Kelly, LAL (wrist)
Nerlens Noel, PHI (knee)
Ben McLemore, SAC (finger)
Alan Anderson, WAS (groin)
Markieff Morris, WAS (calf)
