This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
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TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Houston Rockets at Brooklyn Nets: The Nets aren't a great defensive team by any stretch of the imagination, but they may be the best that Tuesday's three-game slate has to offer, with both the Rockets and Warriors hit hard by injuries. There really aren't any teams specifically worth avoiding, but the Nets are relatively healthy and rank 25th in pace factor (93.81), which makes them the toughest matchup on a night that should produce a couple of high-scoring games. Keep in mind that the Rockets will be playing without Dwight Howard (ankle) and Patrick Beverley (knee).
Offenses to Use
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers' defensive woes are well documented, and only the 76ers have played at a faster pace this season. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are 3-0 since LaMarcus Aldridge returned from a back contusion, with wins over the Hawks, Grizzlies, and Bulls by a combined 39 points. Portland had an impressive 110.3 offensive rating across those three games, despite facing a pair of defensive juggernauts. Things should come even easier Tuesday, against one of the lesser defensive teams in recent memory.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers
Second game of a back-to-back: N/A
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
If you've never played on DraftKings.com before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article.
Point Guard
Kendall Marshall, LAL (vs. POR), PG, ($5400): With Jordan Farmar (groin) out and Steve Nash (soreness) looking doubtful, Marshall will likely start at point guard and play upwards of 30 minutes. He's been a steal for daily gamers on a number of occasions this season, and Tuesday's contest should bring more of the same in a matchup of defensively-challenged point guards. Marshall started and logged 37 minutes against the Suns on Sunday, finishing with 13 points, 11 assists, and 38.75 fantasy points on DraftKings. He may end up on the wrong side of some Damian Lillard highlights, and his shooting remains shaky, but Marshall is a consistent double-double threat when his playing time tips north of 30 minutes.
Other suggestions: Damian Lillard, POR (at LAL), PG, ($7600)
Shooting Guard
Stephen Curry, GS (at DAL), PG/SG, ($10,400): With a three-game slate and some solid bargain-bin options available, daily gamers will probably want at least one superstar in their lineups. Curry and James Harden ($10,800) carry the highest salaries Tuesday, and oddly enough, both find themselves in similar situations, missing a pair of key teammates. It should be bombs away for both star guards, but Curry looks like the better play thanks to his lower salary and superior matchup. With Andrew Bogut and David Lee sidelined, Curry has accounted for 43 of his team's 160 field-goal attempts over the last two games.
Other suggestions: Shaun Livingston, BKN (vs. HOU), PG/SG, ($4600)
Small Forward
Draymond Green, GS (at DAL), SF, ($4100):Andrew Bogut (pelvis) is out and David Lee (hamstring) is doubtful, leaving frontcourt duties to Green, Jermaine O'Neal ($3400), and Marreese Speights ($3700). Speights was logging fewer minutes than Green and O'Neal before the Bogut/Lee injuries, and the same has been true in two games since the Warriors lost their starting big men. Green logged 32 minutes in both of those games, and though he has the highest price of the three, he also has the highest floor.
Other suggestions: Nicolas Batum, POR (at LAL), SG/SF, ($6900)
Power Forward
Pau Gasol, LAL (vs. POR), PF/C, ($7400): Gasol is considered probable for Tuesday, after missing the last four games due to a bout with vertigo. You could argue that there's some added risk here, but the Lakers have no incentive to rush Gasol back, and the reduced price is just too tempting in a game that figures to be fast-paced and high-scoring. The 7-foot Spaniard was previously in form, as he topped 40 fantasy points in each of his last three games before dealing with vertigo.
Other suggestions: Dirk Nowitzki, DAL (vs. GS), PF/C, ($8400)
Center
Omer Asik, Hou (at BKN), PF/C, ($4000):Dwight Howard has missed four of the last six games, and Asik scored between 27 and 30 points on DraftKings in each of those contests. The Turkish center lacks a high ceiling because of his limited offensive repertoire, but at this price, daily gamers would be happy for another repeat of Asik's recent sans-Dwight performances. With Jermaine O'Neal filling in for Andrew Bogut for the Warriors, Tuesday's three-game slate offers two excellent bargain options at center.
Other suggestions: Jermaine O'Neal, GS (at DAL), C, ($3400)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Patrick Beverley (knee) is out for at least 10-to-14 days with a torn meniscus.
Dwight Howard (ankle) will not play in Tuesday's game and will likely miss time beyond that.
Kevin Garnett (back) is hoping to return this weekend.
Andrei Kirilenko (ankle) is out Tuesday.
Andrew Bogut (pelvis) is not traveling with the Warriors on their road trip.
Jordan Farmar (groin) may be done for the season.
Game-Time Decision
Terrence Jones (illness) did not practice Monday.
Marcus Thornton (back) is uncertain for Tuesday, after exiting Sunday's game.
David Lee (hamstring) is traveling with the Warriors but isn't expected to play Tuesday.
Pau Gasol (vertigo) practiced fully Monday and is probable for Tuesday's game.
Xavier Henry (knee) hasn't been ruled out for Tuesday but didn't play in the last two games.
Steve Nash (soreness) did not play Sunday and recently indicated that he's mostly concerned with preparing for next season.
