This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Utah Jazz at Brooklyn Nets: Utah's offense is not very good. Not a whole lot more needs to be said on that front. The Nets are just two games back from a spot in the playoffs, have a deep lineup, and no problem wearing teams down. The Jazz are fazed into nonchalance for the rest of the season, but the Nets still have something worth fighting for. It's all pointing in one direction, as the Nets may be the best bet of the day in accompaniment to their status as the lowest over/under on the day's games.
Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons: Detroit is on a five game losing streak and hosting the streaking Hornets Sunday. Charlotte moves into a playoff spot with the win, and you can count on one of the East's best defenses in terms of points allowed to be hard at work in the search for a very important win in what looks to be a fun race at the bottom of the playoff picture in the East.
Offenses to Use
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers aren't good this year, a fact they are just going with at this point as they gear-up for a lottery pick and getting Kobe back next season. Dallas is in the playoff picture and are among the better offensive teams in the league, but still have a variety of players providing very good value. The Lakers are the worst defense in terms of points allowed in the Western Conference, so should make for a good defense to target Sunday.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets,
Second game of a back-to-back: none
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
Rajon Rondo, PG, DAL ($6,100): The point guard position is extremely deep Sunday. You'd do well to dip into its depth for your alternate guard spot and possibly flex too. Rondo offers good upside for his price. He's definitely prone to throwing it in, but when he's on, he's among the best pure point guards in the NBA. His fantasy stats have been steadily progressing with each start in the Mavericks uniform, a trend that looks like a good bet to continue against the league's worst team at guarding the point guard position in the Lakers. Again, the depth at this position is vast, (something not nearly true at every other position) with three of the top four priced players playing the point, with good options at practically every other price point as well. In other news, Westbrook has hit the $12,000 price mark…he's worth every penny.
Other suggestions: Austin Rivers ($3,000) LAC at GS; Elfrid Payton ($5,400) ORL vs BOS; Russel Westbrook ($12,000) OKC vs TOR; Jeremy Lin ($5,000) LAL vs DAL; Chris Paul ($10,600) LAC at GS
Shooting Guard
DeMar DeRozan, SG, POR ($7,100): DeRozan is the go-to man for Toronto, and it looks like he has his touch back at last. Averaging thirty points over his last three, nothing about the style of the Thunder figure to bring the buckets train to a halt. His stats in other categories are inconsistent to say the least, and they are the factor either holding his fantasy point scoring potential down or raising it towards his extremely high ceiling.
Other suggestions: J.J. Redick ($5,100) LAC at GS
Small Forward
Mike Dunleavy, SF, CHI ($4,000): His minutes and production in the absence of Rose, Gibson, and especially Butler appear to be fairly reliable going forward. Getting $4,000 on a guy who's expected to put up twenty-five plus fantasy points in the current scenario is a no-brainer. Dunleavy's discount frees much needed cap space for other studs. He's the safest cheap play of the night.
Other suggestions: Chandler Parsons* ($5,600) DAL at LAL
*game-time-decision
Power Forward
Draymond Green, PF, GS ($7,200): Fairly critical on the center position tonight as the power forwards provide more depth and many see action at the five spot. Golden State scores a lot of points, nothing new there. Where the production lies night in and night out is slightly less consistent. Chris Paul is an excellent on the ball defender, so it's feasible to see production leak from the point guard position towards other spots. The Clippers are good in the paint with almighty DeAndre Jordan manning that position, but having someone to matchup with Green's inside and outside game presents a challenge every night. His upside potential is huge, and is at the very least worth serious consideration in GPP's. If Vucevic sits for Orlando, Frye is the go to man at the four tonight (though he'll technically be playing the five).
Other suggestions: Greg Monroe ($7,700) DET vs CHA; Dirk Nowitzki ($5,800) DAL at LAL; Channing Frye ($4,000) ORL at BOS*
*If Nikola Vucevic sits again
Center
Jonas Valanciunas, C, TOR ($5,000): The center position is littered with question and injuries Sunday. Valanciunas is just another among the questions, especially with his often shortage of playing time in the fourth quarter. The feeling that his downfall is mental more the physical is becoming ever more apparent. He shows up in big games in big ways, so hopefully he considers the Thunder a big game. He offers the potential to put up over forty fantasy points on any given night.
Other suggestions: Al Jefferson ($7,700) CHA at DET
INJURY REPORT
Out
Jared Sullinger (foot)
Mirza Teletovic (chest)
Derrick Rose (knee)
Jimmy Butler (elbow)
Taj Gibson (ankle)
Kemba Walker (knee)
Brandon Jennings (Achilles)
Jamal Crawford (calf)
Ronnie Price (elbow)
Kobe Bryant (shoulder)
Kevin Durant (foot)
Steve Novak (Appendix)
Devyn Marble (eye)
Alec Burks (shoulder)
Game-Time Decision
Avery Bradley (elbow)
Devin Harris (hand)
Chandler Parsons (ankle)
Quincy Miller (ankle)
Joel Anthony (groin)
Matt Barnes (hamstring)
Blake Griffin (elbow)
Nick Young (knee)
Steven Adams (hand)
Willie Green (Achilles)
Luke Ridnour (hamstring)
Evan Fournier (hip)
Nikola Vucevic (ankle)
