This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
This article focuses on the evening contests on DraftKings for Sunday.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic: Since installing new head coach James Borrego, the Magic have stepped up their play on the defensive side of the ball. Over their last eight games, the Magic have held their opponents to 98 points or less. Combine the Magic's stout defense of late with the fact that the Hornets are the second worst offense in the league this season (97.8 points per 100 possessions), and the Magic are the team that could limit offensive opportunities the most Sunday.
Offenses to Use
New Orleans Pelicans at Denver Nuggets: The Pelicans may still be without Anthony Davis (shoulder), Ryan Anderson (knee), and Jrue Holiday (leg), but their absences have also opened the door for other players to hold increased value in daily games. Alexis Ajinca has been a nice option, and his salary is still low despite him putting up 39.5 DraftKings points Saturday. The Nuggets have been decimated by injuries lately, and they've also been one of the worst defenses in the league defending bigs all season.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers
Second game of a back-to-back: None.
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
D.J. Augustin, PG, OKC ($4,100):Russell Westbrook is out Sunday after he underwent surgery Saturday to repair a facial fracture, and that's going to give Augustin the starting nod. Through 13 starts while a member of the Pistons this season, Augustin averaged 18.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.8 three-pointers in 35 minutes per game. There's no reason to think he won't be able to meet or exceed those numbers with the Thunder with Westbrook and Kevin Durant (foot) out. It also helps that the Thunder are playing the woeful Lakers
Other suggestions: Isaiah Thomas vs. GSW ($6,000), Jeremy Lin vs. OKC ($3,800)
Shooting Guard
Ben McLemore, SG, SAC ($3,600): McLemore capitalized on the absence of DeMarcus Cousins (ankle/hip) in the Kings' last game, and with Cousins doubtful, McLemore will be a good play if Cousins sits out. In Friday's game against the Spurs, McLemore put up 29.5 DK points on 21 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one three-pointer in 35 minutes. There's some risk here, but at just $3,600, he's worth throwing into tournament lineups for the upside.
Other suggestions: Quincy Pondexter vs. DEN ($3,600), Dion Waiters vs. LAL ($3,900), Wayne Ellington vs. OKC ($4,400)
Small Forward
Dante Cunningham, SF, NOP ($3,400): Cunningham has posted 29 and 28.75 DK points performances in his last two games. He's starting at power forward with Davis and Anderson out, giving him tons of minutes to collect stats in. At a salary of $3,400, he's a great play in tournaments to help clear money for the big-ticket players.
Other suggestions: Joffrey Lauvergne vs. NOP ($3,800), Jonas Jerebko vs. GSW ($4,000), Nicolas Batum vs. SAC ($5,600), Rudy Gay vs. POR ($7,300)
Power Forward
Mitch McGary, PF, OKC ($4,200): In addition to Westbrook and Durant being out of the lineup, Steven Adams (hand) and Enes Kanter (thigh) are questionable to play Sunday as well. That should allow McGary to have another good game. With all four of the players listed above out for Friday's game, McGary scored a career-high 20 points to go with nine rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 28 minutes against the Trail Blazers. He's a great per-minute producer and should receive a healthy amount of run Sunday.
Other suggestions: Kenneth Faried vs. NOP ($5,100), Thomas Robinson vs. IND ($3,000)
Center
Alexis Ajinca, C, NOP ($4,900): Ajinca has played well whenever Davis has been out of the lineup this season, and with Anderson out as well, Ajinca is in a great position to continue to put up great stat lines for daily games. Against the Heat on Friday, he put up 24 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 22 minutes off the bench to score 39.5 DK points, and against the horrendous and injury-depleted frontcourt of the Nuggets, he should have a field day even if he only plays limited minutes.
Other suggestions: None. The center position is ridiculously thin for value plays Sunday. Spending the money on Al Jefferson ($7,400) or Nikola Vucevic ($8,600)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Paul George (leg)
Festus Ezelis (suspension)
Darren Collison (hip)
Kemba Walker (knee)
Kelly Olynyk (ankle)
Russell Westbrook (face)
Kevin Durant (foot)
Nick Young (knee)
Ronnie Price (elbow)
Anthony Davis (shoulder)
Ryan Anderson (knee)
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Jusuf Nurkic (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
DeMarcus Cousins (ankle/hip)
Nerlens Noel (leg)
Joel Freeland (shoulder)
Bismack Biyombo (knee)
Aaron Gordon (ankle)
Evan Fournier (hip)
Enes Kanter (thigh)
Steven Adams (hand)
Darrell Arthur (calf)
