This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers: The Hawks are the top of the East and just won their third of four games over the Cavaliers on Friday, holding Cleveland to five points below their average. The 76ers are poor from almost every angle you view it. Nerlens Noel has been a bright spot of late, especially on the defensive end, but the 76ers will undoubtedly struggle with efficiency and the defensive proficiency of the Hawks.
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks: The Pacers held the injury depleted Bulls to just 84 points Friday. Even with their injuries, the Bulls are better than the Knicks. One only needs to look back to Wednesday, when these teams played and the Knicks could only muster 82 points, to feel assurance in avoiding most of the Knicks' squad.
Offenses to Use
Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets: The Rockets aren't gifted defensively, especially with the absence of Dwight Howard. The Nuggets are out of the playoff race, which could raise a few concerns, but looking past that, they offer cheap players in what figures to be a game with considerable scoring and offers rebounds to whoever can get them, with both teams missing their centers.
Portland Trail Blazers at Minnesota Timberwolves: Minnesota's defense is bad, very bad. Portland's offense is good, very good. Seems a good situation for success. Add in the injury to Wesley Matthews (Achilles) opening up more minutes and production to come from elsewhere, and you have a very dynamic offense to target.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: none
Second game of a back-to-back: Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Ty Lawson, DEN vs HOU ($7,000): It wasn't so long ago you were dolling out over $8,000 for Lawson, but after missing time in mid-February he has been slow in getting back to his best form. It looks like he is finally trending back in the right direction with over 37 fantasy points in two of his last three games. He's one of the best disher of dimes in the league and is a threat to put up a double-double every night. On nights when he's shooting well, he has huge upside.
If Goran Dragic doesn't go, take a serious look at Mario Chalmers, MIA vs SAC ($4,000)
Other suggestions: George Hill, IND at NY ($6,500); Michael Carter-Williams, MIL vs WAS ($6,600)
Shooting Guard
Arron Afflalo, POR at MIN ($4,100): The most logical beneficiary of Wesley Matthews' season-ending injury, Afflalo is averaging over 22 fantasy points per game, a number he'll look to hit and surpass often with more playing time. Also, Minnesota also ranks last in the NBA in terms of guarding the SG position.
If Dwyane Wade (hip) doesn't go, Shabazz Napier, MIA vs SAC ($3,000) goes to near must-use status at his price.
Other suggestions: James Harden, HOU vs DEN ($10,500)
Small Forward
Nicolas Batum, POR at MIN ($6,200): Batum was having a decent season with Matthews in the line-up, but he has been much more productive with the latter out, posting over 40 fantasy points in both of his last two games. Minnesota is terrible at guarding both the two and three, where Batum usually plays, further setting the stage for what figures to be a very good night and rest of season for Batum.
Other suggestions: DeMarre Carroll, ATL at PHI ($4,700); LeBron James, CLE vs PHO ($10,500)
Power Forward
Kenneth Faried, DEN vs HOU ($5,700): Listed at just 6-foot-8, Faried is on the small side for a power forward, and with the current situation in Denver, he has found himself playing some center too. Defensively, Faried may struggle on nights against seven-footers, but on the offensive end he looks to have figured out his role. He's hit double-digit rebounds in each of his last three outings to accompany double-digit points. The "Manimal" is a strong contender for big rebounds and cleaning up the inside for points every night, which should continue against another size-challenged team in the Rockets on Saturday. Note: the power forward position is one of the deeper on the night and leaves many viable options.
Other suggestions: Andrea Bargnani, NYK vs IND ($7,800); Anthony Davis, Mem vs NO ($10,800)
Center
Marcin Gortat, WAS at MIL ($6,100): When on the court, Gortat is a prolific a rebounder. Sadly, he often hasn't seen the court in the fourth quarter. He's a good use despite this, but if can hit the high side of his minutes range, he has considerable upside as he turns into a nightly double-double.
If Roy Hibbert rests Saturday, Ian Mahinmi, IND at NYK ($3,500) is a must use. At his price, he's not a bad play (though risky) even when Hibbert plays.
Other suggestions: DeMarcus Cousins, SAC at MIA ($9,600); Robin Lopez, POR at MIN ($4,000)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Ryan Anderson (knee)
Thabo Sefolosha (calf)
Tony Wroten (knee)
Joel Embiid (foot)
Paul George (leg)
Jose Calderon (Achilles)
Carmelo Anthony (knee)
Shawn Marion (hip)
Anderson Varejao (Achilles)
Darren Collison (hip)
Eric Moreland (shoulder)
Chris Bosh (chest)
Josh McRoberts (knee)
Shabazz Muhammad (finger)
Anthony Bennett (ankle)
Wesley Matthews (Achilles)
O.J. Mayo (hamstring)
Jabari Parker (knee)
Damien Inglis (foot)
Jusuf Nurkic (ankle)
Dwight Howard (knee)
Game-Time Decision
Pero Antic (ankle)
Jerami Grant (back)
Alex Len (ankle)
Goran Dragic (back)
Dwyane Wade (hip)
Luol Deng (thigh)
Chris Andersen (soreness)
Gary Neal (hand)
Robbie Hummel (hand)
Nikola Pekovic (ankle)
Kris Humphries (groin)
Jared Dudley (knee)
Kostas Papanikolaou (ankle)
