This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Chicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves: The Bulls are known as a defensive team. Every team coach Tom Thibodeau has been a part of over the last 10 seasons has been known as one of the best defensive teams in the league. Avoid using most Timberwolves players in daily games Saturday. The one intriguing matchup option from the Wolves is Thaddeus Young, but if the Bulls are willing to sit Joakim Noah and/or Pau Gasol for stretches, they have the depth via Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, and Mike Dunleavy to be able to cover a more athletic power forward like Young.
Offenses to Use
Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder: This is more of a reaction to all the injuries the Thunder are dealing with than anything else. With the Thunder only expected to have between 8-10 healthy players available Saturday, Reggie Jackson (if he plays), Perry Jones, Serge Ibaka, and possibly Sebastian Telfair (if Jackson doesn't play) are all interesting options Saturday.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: TOR, MIA, CHA, GSW
Second game of a back-to-back: LAL, MEM, PHO, CHI, PHI, MIL, and IND
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
If you've never played on DraftKings before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article. Want to play in a $50,000 daily NBA contest on DraftKings? Check it out here.
Point Guard
Sebastian Telfair, PG, OKC ($4,600): Telfair isn't as cheap as we'd like to see. Usually when a player is a questionable spot starter, DraftKings would leave their salary at $3,000 or so until the player actually had to start a game, but there is a consistent trend developing on DraftKings this season. They are on top of all the roster shuffling, and they're changing salaries quickly to meet expectations. Regardless, at $4,600, Telfair is a good play ifReggie Jackson doesn't play. The Thunder don't have any other point guards healthy, so Telfair could receive an obscene number of minutes.
Other suggestions: Reggie Jackson ($5,900) [if he plays, but doubtful now]; Isaiah Canaan ($3,00) [assuming Patrick Beverley is too injured to play and that Canaan starts at point]
Shooting Guard
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, DET ($4,200): If you listen to our fantasy basketball podcast, this pick is probably coming off like the last two words that keep repeating on a broken record, but if you follow the trail of opportunity, KCP is being given every chance to help people win daily games contests. Jodie Meeks (back) is going to be out for another two months. The world is KCP's oyster until then. Coach Stan Van Gundy has given KCP 36 minutes and 41 minutes in the Pistons' first two games. With that kind of run, Caldwell-Pope is destined to have a breakout game sooner than later.
Other suggestions: O.J. Mayo ($4,500)
Small Forward
Draymond Green, SF, GSW ($5,700): If David Lee (hamstring) misses another game Saturday, Green should receive a huge number of minutes as the fill-in starter at power forward for the Warriors. Green secured a double-double in his last game, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and he also contributes hustle stats on defense and can get assists and three-pointers. He's truly a renaissance man on the basketball court, and that translates well to daily fantasy.
Other suggestions: Perry Jones ($5,300)
Power Forward
Anthony Davis, PF, NOP ($10,800): There are enough value plays available Saturday that adding the Brow to lineups should be a requirement. Davis has highest salary no DraftKings for Saturday after posting an insane 75.8 fantasy points in the Pelicans' first game. While his matchup isn't ideal, Davis did most of his damage outside of team concepts in the Pelicans' first game. He doesn't need plays run for him to be effective.
Other suggestions: Pau Gasol ($7,100)
Center
Chris Bosh, C, MIA ($8,700): Bosh posted 26 points and 15 rebounds in the Heat's first game of the season, and he should enjoy a feast on the Sixers' court Saturday. With all the new pieces on the Heat this season, they aren't cohesive enough to wipe the floor with any teams, even the lowly Sixers, so Bosh should see a lot of minutes, and this is the type of situation where Bosh could legitimately go out and put up a 50-point game.
Other suggestions: Dwight Howard ($8,500)
INJURY REPORT
Key injuries are listed below. For a complete look at current NBA injuries, visit out our Injury Updates page and reference the injured players tables on the right of the page.
Out
David Lee (hamstring) is out Saturday but remains day-to-day.
Reggie Jackson (ankle) does not expect to play Saturday.
Jeremy Lamb (back) is not expected to play Saturday.
Russell Westbrook (broken hand) underwent surgery and is going to be out four week before getting reevaluated to establish a more precise return timetable.
Brook Lopez (foot) is out Saturday but plans to practice Sunday with the hopes of making his season debut Monday. #dontholdyourbreathe
Victor Oladipo (face)
David West (ankle)
George Hill (knee)
C.J. Watson (foot)
P.J. Tucker (suspension)
Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder)
Courtney Lee (concussion)
Bradley Beal (wrist)
Game-Time Decision
Josh McRoberts (toe) is expected to make his Heat debut Saturday.
Kyle O'Quinn (ankle) has a handsome beard, and he'll be a game-time decision Saturday.
Derrick Rose (ankles) traveled withe Bulls, but it would be surprising if he plays Saturday.
Jimmy Butler (thumb) will likely be a game-time decision again Saturday.
Patrick Beverley (hamstring) is questionable Saturday.
Taj Gibson sprained his ankle Friday but was able to return to the game.
