This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers just traded their most valuable fantasy asset and have largely been a bad offensive team this season. They possess players that can be useful as low salary fill-ins, but until there is more clarity on what exactly Philadelphia is doing, it's hard to trust any of their players.
Offenses to Use
Miami Heat at New York Knicks: The Knicks are terrible, and they are going up against a good defense, but they could provide some hidden value in the wake of Carmelo Anthony's season-ending surgery. There should be more shots to go around, and players with extended playing time could make for nice filler players on Friday.
First game of a back-to-back: New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings
Second game of a back-to-back: San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Ricky Rubio, PG, MIN ($6,100): When he's right, Rubio is a fantasy dynamo. Right now, he's trending that way and is hitting near his season average of 30.7 DraftKings points over his last five games. A matchup with the fast-paced Suns is a plus here as well.
Other suggestions: Tyreke Evans (at ORL), Jordan Clarkson (vs. BKN)
Shooting Guard
Randy Foye, SG, DEN ($3,000):Arron Afflalo is out, which leads most to believe that Foye will receive a bigger role. If you're looking for a cheap option in the shooting guard slot, there's enough upside to make it worth pulling the trigger here. Make sure to monitor the starting lineups, as it's possible the Nuggets begin developing Gary Harris by giving him a major workload over Foye.
Other suggestions: Wayne Ellington (vs. BKN), O.J. Mayo (vs. DEN)
Small Forward
Paul Pierce, SF, WAS ($4,200): Another option if you're looking to punt the small forward position is Pierce, who is certainly not going to present significant upside for fantasy at this stage of his career. However, this game against Cleveland has playoff implications, and he's rested following the All-Star break. We're looking for 20 DraftKings points here, and it's a good bet he'll provide at least that amount.
Other suggestions: LeBron James (at WAS), Giannis Antetokounmpo (vs. DEN)
Power Forward
Ed Davis, PF, LAL ($4,900):: Davis has been a fantasy asset without Jordan Hill and went into the All-Star break on a 33.75 DraftKings point performance against the Nuggets. The Lakers play the Nets on Friday, and Hill remains out, so he'll have another opportunity to have a big game at this discounted price.
Other suggestions: Pau Gasol (at DET), Greg Monroe (vs. CHI)
Center
Hassan Whiteside, C, MIA ($7,600): By his own account, Whiteside is healthier than he has been in a few weeks, and he'll get to face off against a Knicks team absolutely devoid of talent. It's easy to forget about Whiteside with the extended break, but it's wise to ride the wave until he stops producing.
Other suggestions: Roy Hibbert (at PHI)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Kemba Walker (knee)
Vince Carter (foot)
Dwight Howard (knee)
Jordan Hill (hip)
Jrue Holiday (ankle)
Carmelo Anthony (knee)
Chris Bosh (illness)
Jared Sullinger (foot)
Amar'e Stoudemire (rest)
Game-Time Decision
Michael Carter-Williams (trade/toe)
Jarrett Jack (hamstring)
Darren Collison (hip) is doubtful.
Jerryd Bayless (hip)
Bradley Beal (toe) is doubtful.
Arron Afflalo (trade)
Nick Young (foot)
Jason Richardson (foot)
Shabazz Muhammad (finger)
Anthony Davis (shoulder)
Kevin Love (eye)
John Henson (ankle)
Ryan Anderson (elbow)
Kris Humphries (back)
Kelly Olynyk (ankle) is doubtful.
Chris Kaman (ankle)
