This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
The Cavaliers and Celtics are the two best defenses playing Tuesday, with the Cavs elite at defending more positions. They are sixth in the NBA at limiting production by opposing point guards, only 22nd against shooting guards, fourth against opposing small forwards, 19th against power forwards and first against opposing centers.
Offenses to Use:
Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are the worst defense on the board Tuesday, and they are weak almost uniformly across the board. They are 26th at limiting production by opposing point guards, 12th against shooting guards, 28th against small forwards, a surprising sixth against power forwards, but a terrible 29th against opposing centers.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Celtics, Bucks, Timberwolves
Second game: Nuggets, Rockets
Point Guard
Darren Collison, SAC vs. HOU ($4,900): Collison is a starting caliber point guard who only happens to be playing back-up because the Kings brought in Rajon Rondo this offseason. Even with Rondo playing, Collison has still been productive, averaging 22.6 fantasy points in only 28 minutes per game. Rondo is suspended for Tuesday night's game, thus leaving the floor open for Collison just in time for a matchup with a terrible Rockets' defense that is 28th in the NBA in limiting production to opposing point guards and is on the second night of a back-to-back.
Other suggestions: Jameer Nelson, DEN at MIN ($4,500), Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. DEN ($7,000)
Shooting Guard
Kevin Martin, MIN vs. DEN ($4,700): After weeks of mediocre play in limited minutes, Martin was moved back into the starting lineup last Wednesday and responded with a 37-point (47.25-fantasy-point) explosion, then followed that up with 22 points (32.5 fantasy points) on Friday and 19 points (26.75 fantasy points) on Sunday. His production seems to be real, and on Tuesday he faces the same Nuggets defense that he burned last Friday.
Other suggestions: Will Barton, DEN at MIN ($6,200), O.J. Mayo, MIL at LAL ($5,700)
Small Forward
Omri Casspi, SAC vs. HOU ($5,600): Casspi has been playing good ball since moving back into the starting lineup in place of the injured Willie Cauley-Stein. Over his last two starts, he is averaging 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 treys per game, scoring 41.5 and 25.5 fantasy points, respectively.
Other suggestions: LeBron James, CLE at BOS ($10,000), Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at LAL ($6,800)
Power Forward
Kevin Love, CLE at BOS ($8,000): On a Tuesday night without a lot of obvious power forward plays, Love gives a good balance between near-elite expected value and not having to break the bank on a superstar like DeMarcus Cousins. Love is facing a Celtics defense that is 22nd in limiting production to opposing power forwards.
Other suggestions: Jabari Parker, MIL at LAL ($5,100), Terrence Jones, HOU at SAC ($4,900)
Center
Greg Monroe, MIL at LAL ($7,100): Monroe has scored more than 30 fantasy points in six straight games, including three with over 40, highlighted by the 48.75 he scored against the Warriors on Saturday. He has double-doubles in five of his last six games, and is facing one of the weakest interior defenses in the NBA in a Lakers squad that is 29th at limiting production to opposing centers.
Other suggestions: Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. DEN ($7300), Kelly Olynyk, BOS vs. CLE ($4,400)
Injury Report
Out
Marcus Smart, BOS (leg)
Kyrie Irving, CLE (knee)
Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN (ankle)
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN (knee)
Jerryd Bayless, MIL (ankle)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
Nikola Pekovic, MIN (Achilles)
Rajon Rondo, SAC (Suspension)
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC (finger)
Game-Time Decision
R.J. Hunter, BOS (hip)
Matthew Dellavedova, CLE (back)
Darrell Arthur, DEN (knee)
Clint Capela, HOU (food poisoning)
Jordan Clarkson, LAL (ankle)
