This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense to Avoid
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Even with the Spurs, Jazz and Cavs on the schedule, the Clippers could well end up posting the best defensive effort of the night. Los Angeles has held opponents under 100 points in five of their last six, including two games under 90. They come in riding a four-game winning streak and will have the added advantage of being at home and facing a Timberwolves squad on the second half of a back-to-back. Minnesota is still averaging under 100 points per game on offense (99.5), while the Clips have entered the top 10 in fewest points allowed (100.3) and turnovers created (14.5) per game.
Offense To Use
Chicago Bulls at Sacramento Kings
Golden State is undeniably an outstanding option in what should be a fairly competitive contest against the Wizards, but Chicago flies under the radar a bit as a potentially prolific source of fantasy production. They'll face a Kings defense ranked last in points allowed per game (108.1) and first in pace (102.0), giving the Bulls that many more opportunities with the ball. Rajon Rondo (toe) and DeMarcus Cousins (ankle) could also both miss the game, making an already lip-smacking matchup even more attractive. The individual matchups are a plus as well, particularly for Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol.
Teams on Back-to-Backs
First game: Pistons, Pelicans,
Second game: Celtics, Heat, Timberwolves
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Derrick Rose, CHI at SAC ($6,000): Rose has had a night to rest after a back-to-back, and that, combined with one of the best matchups of the night for a point guard, make him a nice pivot off much higher-priced options. Rajon Rondo (toe) may miss out with a case of turf toe, further brightening Rose's prospects. The Kings allow the third-most fantasy points per game (52.9) to point guards this season, and have given up a whopping 60.4 per game over their last five, second-most in the league. The Bulls will be forced to play up in pace a bit as well, and the Kings rank as a bottom-10 squad in defensive efficiency (105.4). Meanwhile, outside of an injury-shortened 13-minute outing against the Heat on Jan. 25, Rose has been a pleasantly reliable source of fantasy production, scoring between 24.5 and 39.75 fantasy points in eight other contests over his last 10.
Other options: Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. ORL ($11,000); Stephen Curry, GSW at WAS ($10,700); Chris Paul, LAC vs. MIN ($9,600); Kemba Walker, CHA at UTA ($8,800); John Wall, WAS vs. GSW ($9,300); Jeff Teague, ATL at PHI ($5,900); George Hill, IND at BKN ($5,500); Goran Dragic, MIA at DAL ($5,500)
Shooting Guard
Klay Thompson, GSW at WAS ($7,500):Jimmy Butler ($8,700) has a terrific matchup versus the Kings and is therefore a great option for those looking to spend up, but Thompson offers a nice discount with as much upside. The Warriors and Wizards should wage a competitive battle overall, which would require Thompson to remain aggressive against one of the most vulnerable defenses against two-guards in the league. Washington has allowed the most fantasy points per game (51.4) in the league against shooting guards in their last five, and sixth-most for the season (42.2). Thompson has been shooting the ball very well of late, hitting 66 percent of his shots from the field including 57 percent from three-point range over his last two. He's scored 59.75, 38.50 and 41.25 fantasy points in his last three, respectively, all of which have more than paid off his price.
Other options: Jimmy Butler, CHI at SAC ($8,700); Dwyane Wade, MIA at DAL ($7,300); Monta Ellis, IND at. BKN ($6,900); Rodney Hood, UTA vs. DEN ($6,000); J.R. Smith, CLE at CHA ($5,400)
Small Forward
Rudy Gay, SAC vs. CHI ($7,200): With the possibility that both Rajon Rondo (toe) and DeMarcus Cousins (ankle) both sit out Wednesday, Gay's usage (and ownership) will undoubtedly skyrocket, particularly considering that he scored 56.3 fantasy points against the Bucks on Monday with just Cousins out of the lineup. His matchup against a Bulls defense that has struggled all season against small forwards (40.8 fantasy points per game) is just the icing on the cake.
Chandler Parsons, DAL vs. MIA ($6800): Parsons will very likely be overlooked by many with Gay's proximity in price and potential opportunity, but the former has an excellent chance to return great value in his own right. He'll catch a Heat squad that just ran up and down the court with the Rockets on Tuesday, and he is in the midst of a very productive stretch, scoring between 30.75 and 49.00 fantasy points in eight of his last nine, and a respectable 23.0 in the other one during that span. He's shot well from the field during that run, but his rebounding has also been a substantial boon for his overall fantasy production, with Parsons even posting two double-doubles in the last three games.
Other options: Kevin Durant, OKC vs. ORL ($10,400); LeBron James, CLE at CHA ($9,700); Paul George, IND at BKN ($8,500); Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. DEN ($7,200); Danilo Gallinari, DEN at UTA ($6,800); Omri Casspi, SAC vs. CHI ($5,600)
Power Forward
Jordan Hill, IND at BKN ($5,500):Kevin Love ($7,600) is an outstanding upper mid-tier option Wednesday against a highly permeable Hornets frontcourt, while Anthony Davis ($9,500) is as inexpensive as he's been in quite some time. However, we'll offer up a nice cap-conscious alternative for those looking to go a little cheaper. Hill should receive a third consecutive start at center with Ian Mahinmi (back) already ruled out, and he will draw a matchup that should be highly accommodating to some abundant fantasy production. The veteran has already scored 45.75 and 33.5 fantasy points, respectively, in his first pair of starts in Mahinmi's stead and will now draw a Nets squad that's surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points (51.9) and second-most points (22.1) per game to opposing fives this season.
Other options: DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. CHI ($11,100); Anthony Davis, NOP at SA ($9,500); Draymond, Green GSW at WAS ($9,000); Paul Millsap, ATL at PHI ($8,100); Kevin Love, CLE at CHA ($7,200); Derrick Favors, UTA vs. DEN ($6,900); Nerlens Noel, PHI vs ATL ($6,800); Marvin Williams, CHA vs. CLE ($5,600); Amar'e Stoudemire, MIA at DAL ($4600)
Center
Jahlil Okafor, PHI vs. ATL ($6,100): Center is yet another position where you could have your pick of several elite options. However, Okafor steps to the forefront as a more cost-effective option for tournaments in particular. The masses will be off him with the abundance of appealing alternatives and his two most recent game logs. Okafor tallied only 22.5 fantasy points against the Celtics on Jan. 24 while battling an illness, and then played a modest 21 minutes off the bench in his return after a two-game absence Saturday against the Warriors. However, he posted a quick 13 points during that span, and with three days off since then, he should be at full strength. He'd notably totaled 39.00, 36.25 and 30.25 fantasy points in the three games prior to the illness, and also had 32.25 fantasy points against this same Hawks squad on Jan. 7. Atlanta has also given up some big games to opposing fives this year, as evidenced by their fourth-worst ranking in fantasy points allowed per game (51.9) to the position. They've been even more generous in recent games, giving up a whopping 59.90 fantasy points per game in their last five.
Other options: Pau Gasol, CHI at SAC ($8,700); Andre Drummond, DET at BOS ($8,600); Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at LAC ($8,200); Brook Lopez, BKN vs. IND ($7,500); Myles Turner, IND at BKN ($6,300); Zaza Pachulia, DAL vs. MIA ($6,000)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Blake Griffin (quadriceps, hand)
Kevin Martin (wrist)
Al Jefferson (knee)
Tiago Splitter (hip)
Jodie Meeks (foot)
Rodney Stuckey (ankle)
Ian Mahinmi (back)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle)
Chris McCullough (knee)
Festus Ezeli (knee)
James McAdoo (toe)
Alan Anderson (ankle)
C.J. Watson (calf)
Andre Roberson (knee)
Tyler Johnson (shoulder)
Chris Andersen (knee)
Devin Harris (toe)
Quincy Pondexter (knee)
Tim Duncan (knee)
Jameer Nelson (wrist)
Duje Dukan (leg)
Eric Moreland (foot)
Mike Dunleavy (back)
Nikola Mirotic (appendix)
Alec Burks (leg)
Kevin Garnett (knee)
Nikola Pekovic (foot)
Game-Time Decision
Nicolas Batum (toe)
Jeremy Lamb (toe)
Cody Zeller (shoulder)
Hassan Whiteside (oblique)
Salah Mejri (knee)
Tyreke Evans (knee)
Deron Williams (hip)
Rajon Rondo (toe)
Ben McLemore (wrist)
DeMarcus Cousins (ankle)
