Team Analysis
Defenses to Avoid:
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz:
The Spurs and Jazz are two of the best defenses in the league. But not only are the Spurs better defensively, but their offense is also better. They should be able to work around the center-out defense of the Jazz reasonably well, while the Jazz offense isn't as sophisticated and can be stifled.
Offense to Use:
New Orleans Pelicans at Philadelphia 76ers.
The 76ers have been defensive slump-busters for opponents all season, across positions. They have a knack for playing little defense, but still managing to keep games close enough for the opposing starters to get their full allotment of minutes. The Pelicans are full of low-priced value plays anyway, and now they have an excellent matchup as well.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hornets, Cavaliers, Pistons, Clippers, Lakers, pelicans, Thunder, Trail Blazers
Second game: none
Point Guard
Jeff Teague, ATL vs PHO ($6,100): Teague has played well lately, averaging 38.4 fantasy points over his last five games. On Tuesday he faces the worst defense in the NBA at limiting production to point guards.
Other Options: Tim Frazier, NO at PHO ($4,200), Damian Lillard, POR at SAC ($8,800)
Shooting Guard
C.J. McCollum, POR at SAC ($6,900): McCollum has scored more than 37 fantasy points in two of his last three games, and on Tuesday faces a Kings defense that is worst in the NBA against shooting guards.
Other Options: DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs CHA ($7,400), Andrew Wiggins, MIN at GS ($6,100)
Small Forward
P.J. Tucker, PHO at ATL ($5,000): Tucker has become an impact player for the Suns, scoring 30.75 to 49.5 fantasy points in three straight games and four of his last five. He faces a Hawks defense that is 24th in the NBA against small forwards.
Other Options: Marcus Morris, DET at MIA ($5,400), LeBron James, CLE at MIL ($10,000)
Power Forward
Kevin Love, CLE at MIL ($6,900): Love has been playing great ball lately, averaging 38.9 fantasy points over his last five games. He faces a Bucks defense that is 29th in the NBA against power forwards.
Other Options: JaMychal Green, MEM vs CHI ($4,800), Paul Millsap, ATL vs PHO ($8,000)
Center
Tyson Chandler, PHO at ATL ($4,600): Chandler barely beats out Alexis Ajinca here. Ajinca has been solid, and has an outstanding match-up, but he's scored about 20 to 30 fantasy points over his last handful of games. Chandler, on the other hand, has totaled 35.75 to 46.5 fantasy points in three straight games and has a great matchup against a Hawks defense that is 27th against centers.
Other Options: DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs LAL ($7,800), Alexis Ajinca, NO at PHI ($3,900)
Injury Report
Out
Jodie Meeks, DET (foot)
Larry Nance, LAL (rest)
Mike Conley, MEM (Achilles)
Brandan Wright, MEM (knee)
Tyler Johnson, MIA (shoulder)
Chris Bosh, MIA (blood clots)
Kevin Garnett, MIN (knee)
Nikola Pekovic, MIN (Achilles)
Norris Cole, NO (back)
Ryan Anderson, NO (groin)
Marco Belinelli, SAC (foot)
Omri Casspi, SAC (hamstring)
Boris Diaw, SA (hip)
DeMarre Carroll, TOR (knee)
Game-Time Decisions
Derrick Rose, CHI (elbow)
E'Twaun Moore, CHI (hamstring)
Taj Gibson, CHI (ribs)
Nicolas Batum, CHA (knee)
Al Jefferson, CHA (quad)
Kyrie Irving, CLE (ankle)
Darrell Arthur, DEN (knee)
Andre Iguodala, GS (ankle)
Andrew Bogut, GS (ribs)
Paul Pierce, LC (knee)
Dwyane Wade, MIA (back/neck)
Jerryd Bayless, MIL (knee)
Khris Middleton, MIL (thigh)
Hollis Thompson, PHI (sickness)
Richaun Holmes, PHI (Achilles)
Nerlens Noel, PHI (knee)
Jon Leuer, PHO (ankle)
Alec Burks, UT (ankle)
