This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense to Avoid: Memphis Grizzlies at Orlando Magic
In big 11-game slates it's normally a good idea to play it safe when considering which teams to fade, and the Magic are a strong candidate against the NBA's second-best scoring defense (97.3 points per game). Memphis has allowed fewer than 90 points in three of the past six games, including a 93-85 win against the defending champion Cavaliers on Dec. 15. Orlando is 28th in the NBA in scoring at 98.3 PPG, right ahead of the Grizzlies (97.4). Expect this game to be sloppy and low scoring, two ingredients that don't go well for fantasy production.
Offense to Use: Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns
The Rockets are obviously a bit top heavy with James Harden being one of the most expensive players. But the Suns should allow around 115-120 points to Houston, which will open up plenty of opportunities for the Rockets' bench to produce above-average numbers. In the Rockets' 125-111 win against the Suns on Dec. 22, Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 24 points and finish with 36.5 fantasy points. He comes in at just under $6,000. Starting point guard Patrick Beverley ($5,800) also had a monster game with 18 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for 44.75 fantasy points.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Grizzlies, Rockets, Mavericks
Second game: Cavaliers, Bulls, Clippers, T-Wolves
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Kyle Lowry, TOR at POR ($8,300): There's a chance the Raptors run away with this one if Damian Lillard is unable to play because of an ankle injury. If that's the case, Lowry should have a field day, and he's coming in hot off an insane 15-for-20 from the field for 36 points against the Jazz (top defense) on the road. Lowry has been slightly better on the road this season, averaging 44.2 fantasy points per contest in 13 games. Lowry isn't going to burn through the majority of your salary like Harden and the Greek Freak, and has a lot going for him.
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. TOR ($6,800): Now there's one school of thought that would tell you because Lillard isn't expected to play, fade McCollum because he's going to get locked down. Even so, McCollum will be relied on to fill Lillard's shoes and then some on offense. He's going to have an insane volume of shots and has scored at least 30 points in four of six games when taking over 20 shots.
Reggie Jackson, DET vs. CLE ($5,400): If you're in need of a GPP lineup filler, the Pistons are an interesting team Monday against the defending champs. The Cavaliers are riding a big win against the Warriors on Christmas Day and could be in store for a let down on the road against the Pistons. If that's the case, Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($5,300) are cheap options with high ceilings if Detroit makes this a competitive game. Jackson gets the nod over KCP simply because he's safer, having scored at least 29.25 fantasy in four of his past six games.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. ATL ($8,400): Two games ago, the T-Wolves went into Atlanta and snuck out with a victory. Towns killed the Hawks on the glass in that game (18 rebounds) and even though he struggled on offense (17 points), playing in Minnesota should solve that problem. The second-year big man has been on fire, entering with 10 double-doubles in his last 11 games. He isn't going to put you in a huge bind as far as salary goes but is more appealing as a cash-game play considering his ownership percentage should be high.
Jabari Parker, MIL at WAS ($6,900): The Bucks get the Wizards again on Monday, this time on the road, where Parker has scored at least 27 points in two of three. He had 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks against Washington last game (43.5 fantasy points) and is a nice mid-tier option who can play two different positions in a fantasy lineup. Parker is averaging well above his season numbers the past five games (38.4 fantasy points, 5.1 more than his season average). Another big performance from the Bucks' offense against the Wizards should be expected and Parker will be very involved should that happen.
Luc Mbah a Moute, LAC vs. DEN ($3,700): Mbah a Moute is a solid GPP play filling into the Clippers' starting lineup the past week with Blake Griffin out 4-6 weeks. He's going to rotate with a few players in Los Angeles' lineup to fill the void left by Griffin, but that gives him a higher ceiling than someone with his salary. He's played at least 30 minutes in two of four entering Sunday and had over 20 fantasy points in each of those contests.
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. DEN ($7,300): Again, with Griffin out, there will be plenty of rebounds to go around and that makes Jordan an appealing GPP play. He's had at least 17 rebounds in three of six games, as well as at least two blocks in five of his last eight. And he's quietly improved his offensive game, scoring at least 13 points in three of seven.
Serge Ibaka, ORL vs. MEM ($6,300): You're probably wondering why you're being instructed to use Ibaka considering the matchup, which you were told to avoid. The Grizzlies are tough, no doubt, but Ibaka has played well recently and offers a contrarian option. He's coming off a 51.25-fantasy-point performance against the Lakers on Dec. 23, scoring 19 points with 11 rebounds and five blocks. Ibaka has back-to-back double-doubles and has been a great value play if he reaches 30-plus minutes over his past six games, averaging 35.2 fantasy points per contest in that stretch.
Cody Zeller, CHA at BKN ($5,000): Since Dec. 9, Zeller's salary has jumped up $1,000 largely due to his solid returns. He's gone eight straight games with at least 20.75 fantasy points and is averaging 28.2 per game over his past five. His home-road splits have essentially been the same, so the road matchup against the Nets, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game to centers over the past four weeks (58.99), is a solid one.
