This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets: The Nets lit up the Timberwolves their last time out, but now they will take on a Bucks team that is one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. On the year, the Nets are not a very good offensive team, and against Milwaukee it's tough to recommend using any Brooklyn players.
Offenses to Use
New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers: These two teams are battling for the first pick in the NBA draft, but they should provide some value when they hook up on Friday. The prices on their players aren't high, and both defenses are so bad that there will be some value here. Look to use either squad to fill out your roster if you need a potential value play.
First game of a back-to-back: Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors
Second game of a back-to-back: New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Hornets
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Alexey Shved, PG, NY ($6,600): With a nearly 37 DraftKings points average over his last six games, and as the focal point of the Knicks from a fantasy standpoint, Shved is a nice buy on Friday. The matchup with the 76ers sweetens the pot, and we certainly could see a huge performance from the point guard in this one.
Other suggestions: Russell Westbrook (at ATL), Ish Smith (vs. NY)
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade, SG, MIA ($7,900): Wade is as healthy as he has been all season, and when he's right, he's an elite option at the shooting guard position. The Nuggets play fast and are horrendous defensively, so the points will be there for Wade, and his price makes it a no-brainer. Wade is averaging over 40 DraftKings points over his last five.
Other suggestions: Kent Bazemore (at OKC), Jason Richardson (vs. NY)
Small Forward
Tony Snell, SF, CHI ($4,500): Snell is not the sexiest option at small forward, but he's been playing well lately with a 26 DraftKings points average over his last five games. At his price, that figure represents a very nice value, and the matchup with the Raptors lends itself to easier offense.
Other suggestions: Nicolas Batum (at ORL), Kawhi Leonard (vs. BOS)
Power Forward
Paul Millsap, PF, ATL ($7,700): Millsap is normally a solid option, but against a Thunder team without Serge Ibaka, he has the potential to be a truly elite option at a reasonable price tag. In his last game against the Thunder he dropped 47.5 DraftKings points and should threaten to do so once again on Friday.
Other suggestions: Robert Covington (vs. NY), Thomas Robinson (vs. NY)
Center
Marc Gasol, C, MEM ($7,500): Gasol is one of my favorite options at the center slot for a bunch of reasons, but it can be boiled down to this: he's a potentially elite play that won't break your bank. Against the Mavericks, he'll need to be a focal point of the attack along with Zach Randolph and should provide solid value.
Other suggestions: Hassan Whiteside (vs. DEN)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Jamal Crawford (calf)
Manu Ginobili (ankle)
Derrick Rose (knee)
Darren Collison (hip)
Jimmy Butler (elbow)
Klay Thompson (ankle)
Kyle Korver (nose)
Kevin Durant (foot)
Paul George (leg)
Serge Ibaka (knee)
Ryan Anderson (knee)
Taj Gibson (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
John Wall (ankle)
Kyle Lowry (back)
George Hill (back)
Ty Lawson (rest)
Isaiah Thomas (back)
Mike Conley (ankle)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (wrist)
O.J. Mayo (hamstring)
Tobias Harris (ankle)
Danilo Gallinari (rest)
Matt Barnes (hamstring)
Anthony Davis (hip)
Cody Zeller (back)
DeMarcus Cousins (calf)
Enes Kanter (multiple)
Ian Mahinmi (head)
Dewayne Dedmon (ankle)
