This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers have had a surprising amount of success against the Grizzlies, but it's the Grizzlies, and the playoffs are right around the corner with much of the seeding in the West still very undecided. The Grizzlies win with their defense, and the Clippers are too expensive for a matchup this difficult. Chris Paul is the only possible exception to this rule.
Offenses to Use
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers are favored, and rightfully so. But, the projected Grizzlies starters (especially if Conley misses out) are priced too low. The game should be tight and competitive. The Grizzlies bench is shallow at the moment, so the starters really see most of the team's production.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: None.
Second game of a back-to-back: Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Elfrid Payton, PG, ORL ($7,500): Payton gets to play the Knicks, check. He sees big minutes regardless of the score, check. He consistently produces, check. He has triple-double upside, check. Payton makes sense from every angle, through every lens, by every train of thought. Priced well below the top point guards Saturday, he'll be scoring with or above them.
Beno Udrih, PG, MEM ($3,000): Udrih is good if, and only if, Mike Conley doesn't play. If Conley returns, even with a minute restriction, Udrih immediately becomes hard to endorse. Udrih pulled off 27 fantasy points in 35 minutes against Utah on Friday night sans Conley. He didn't matchup with Chris Paul there, but the game didn't even reach 180 total points so it's still fairly impressive for a backup point guard to produce such a large portion of the game's total production. The increased pace brought on by the Clippers is probably enough to cancel out the backcourt guarding ability they posses.
Other suggestions: Zach LaVine ($6,000) MIN at GS
Shooting Guard
Courtney Lee, SG, MEM ($3,200): Lee is another cheap Grizzly that benefits from the absence of Conley. Lee is usable with or without Conley , but his upside, if Conley plays, will fall pretty dramatically. He almost matched Udrih's production to the dot Friday night, putting up 26.75 fantasy points on 6-of-10 shooting. Lee has a surprising history of success against the Clippers, averaging nearly 23 fantasy points in their previous three matchups. He is a good cheap play, especially in cash games as he should at least reach value.
Other suggestions: Kevin Martin ($6,000) MIN at GS, Victor Oladipo ($7,200) ORL vs NY
Small Forward
Andrew Wiggins, SF, MIN ($6,800): Wiggins is continually receiving ridiculous playing time, and he's showcasing the kind of ability he has. He tied his career-high of 10 rebounds and handed out a career-high six assits Friday against the Lakers. If the game turns into a blowout, good. Wiggins has been getting big minutes regardless and would have an easier time scoring against the Warrior's second line than their starting five.
Other suggestions: Rodney Hood ($4,700) UTA at POR, Luol Deng ($5,500) MIA vs TOR
Power Forward
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, TOR ($4,000): As is often the case for players in this price range, Hansbrough's value hinges on the status of a regular starter. In three starts with Amir Johnson (ankle) sidelined, Hansbrough has put up 33.5, 32.5, and 30.25 DraftKings points. His price has risen, but he's still at a good salary. As long has Johnson sits out again, Hansbrough should have no problem with Udonis Haslem guarding him.
Other suggestions: Derrick Favors ($7,600) UTA at POR,
Center
Marc Gasol, C, MEM ($7,000): It's odd to like so many Grizzlies, but Gasol is simply underpriced. As a general rule of thumb, 5x value is an important line which in the case of Gasol is 7 x 5 = 35 fantasy points. Gasol has reached or surpassed this number five times consecutively. His season average surpasses the mark at 37.5 fantasy points. This is a game that matters with so much seeding still undecided in the West, and Gasol's recent play and past success against the Clippers make him a good and seemingly safe play due to his consistency.
Other suggestions: Meyers Leonard ($3,800) POR vs UTA, Cole Aldrich ($3,000) NY at ORL, Nikola Vucevic ($7,700) ORL vs NY
INJURY REPORT
Out
Jose Calderon (Achilles)
Alexey Shved (ribs)
Devyn Marble (eye)
Shabazz Napier (hernia)
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (undisclosed)
Nerlens Noel (ankle)
Isaiah Canaan (foot)
Dorell Wright (hand)
LaMarcus Aldridge (foot)
Arron Afflalo (shoulder)
Ricky Rubio (ankle)
Gary Neal (ankle)
Anthony Bennett (ankle)
Gorgui Deng (concussion)
Game-Time Decision
Andrea Bargnani (illness)
Cleanthony Early (ankle)
Travis Wear (back)
Luke Ridnour (paternity)
Amir Johnson (ankle)
Terrence Ross (ankle)
Henry Walker (elbow)
Jimmy Butler (calf)
Tony Allen (hamstring)
Mike Conley (foot)
Trey Burke (back)
Kevin Garnett (knee)
Leandro Barbosa (Achilles)
