DraftKings NBA: Tuesday Cheat Sheet

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Updated on January 26, 2016 8:32AM EST

Team Analysis

Defense to Avoid
Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets
The Heat are a stifling defense, dominating at four positions; they are first in the NBA in limiting production to opposing point guards, eighth against shooting guards, third against power forwards and 11th against centers. The one position of weakness is small forward (22nd), but Joe Johnson and Bojan Bogdanovic are so inconsistent that they may not be able to take advantage. The bigger question mark is the availability of Hassan Whiteside, who has missed two straight games with an oblique injury, as he is the anchor of the defense and they are not as formidable without him.

Offenses to Use
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers continue to linger as one of the worst defenses in the NBA; they are 26th at limiting production from opposing point guards, 21st against shooting guards, 27th against small forwards, the always startling seventh against power forwards and 29th against centers. Meanwhile, the Mavs are sporting a red-hot small forward in Chandler Parsons, and reasonable talent at those other positions of weakness.

Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Mavericks, Clippers, Thunder, 76ers, Suns
Second game: Heat, Magic, Kings, Wizards

Daily Player Recommendations

Point Guard
Ish Smith, PHI vs PHO ($7,400): Smith can run hot-and-cold, but he's got a matchup Tuesday against the worst defense in the NBA at limiting production to opposing point guards. This would seem like a good chance for a "hot" game.

Other suggestions: Deron Williams, DAL at LAL ($6,200); Michael Carter-Williams, MIL vs. ORL ($6,700)

Shooting Guard
Archie Goodwin, PHO at PHI ($4,500): Goodwin has been starting in place of Brandon Knight and is expected to get another start Tuesday against a 76ers defense that is either average (15th against point guards) or below average (20th against shooting guards) at defending the backcourt.

Other suggestions: C.J. McCollum, POR vs. SAC ($7,300); DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. WAS ($8,300)

Small Forward
Chandler Parsons, DAL at LAL ($6,300): Parsons has been on fire of late, averaging 29.0 points, 6.3 rebounds per game in his last three, and the Lakers are terrible at defending opposing small forwards.

Other suggestions: Tobias Harris, ORL at MIL ($6,400); Robert Covington, PHI vs. PHO ($6,100)

Power Forward
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC at POR ($11,000): Very rarely is the highest-priced player in the game going to be in this space. But Cousins is just on a ridiculous level right now. Ten days ago Cousins had "only" 19 points, 13 boards, six assists and two steals for 47.5 fantasy points. That was his WORST game in his last 11 outings. He popped for 48 points and 13 boards on Saturday, then just for giggles went out and topped that on Monday to the tune of 56 points, 12 boards, four assists and two blocks against the Hornets in double overtime. As long as he's playing like this, the price can't be set high enough for him to not be worth it.

Other suggestions: Nerlens Noel, PHI vs. PHO ($6,400); Chris Bosh, MIA at BKN ($7,700)

Center
Salah Mejri, DAL at LAL ($3,500): Mejri had a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double in place of the injured Zaza Pachulia on Saturday, but he had been playing well when given the opportunity even before that. Just 11 days earlier he had 17 points and nine boards against the Thunder. With Pachulia listed as doubtful for Tuesday, Mejri will get another chance to perform well, this time against a Lakers team that is 29th in the NBA at defending centers.

Other suggestions: Tyson Chandler, PHO at PHI ($4,800); Mason Plumlee, POR vs. SAC ($5,300)

Injury Report

Out
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN (ankle)
Devin Harris, DAL (toe)
Zaza Pachulia, DAL (leg)
Jeremy Evans, DAL (shoulder)
Rodney Stuckey, IND (foot/ankle)
Blake Griffin, LAC (quad)
Goran Dragic, MIA (calf)
Josh McRoberts, MIA (knee)
Chris Andersen, MIA (knee)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
Andre Roberson, OKC (knee)
Cleanthony Early, NY (knee)
C.J. Watson, ORL (calf)
Ronnie Price, PHO (foot)
Brandon Knight, PHO (groin)
DeMarre Carroll, TOR (knee)
Alan Anderson, WAS (ankle)

Game-Time Decision
Andrea Bargnani, BKN (illness)
Ian Mahinmi, IND (ankle)
Brandon Bass, LAL (foot)
Larry Nance, LAL (knee)
Ryan Kelly, LAL (illness)
Hassan Whiteside, MIA (oblique)
O.J. Mayo, MIL (hamstring)
Carmelo Anthony, NY (knee)
Lance Thomas, NY (knee)
Steven Adams, OKC (elbow)
Markieff Morris, PHO (shoulder)
Jon Leuer, PHO (back)
Bradley Beal, WAS (face)
Kris Humphries, WAS (knee)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.