This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers
The Pistons have the fourth best defensive rating in the NBA, allowing 93.9 points per 100 possessions, and they also play the fifth slowest pace at 94.3 possessions/game. They are also anchored in the middle by Andre Drummond, one of the best young centers in the league. The Bulls are also pretty strong on defense with the fifth best defensive rating, but they play a faster pace (98.4 possessions/game, 14th slowest) which would give their opponents more opportunities to score than the Pistons.
Offenses to Use
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers
There are two really weak defenses going Tuesday, the Lakers and the Pelicans. They are currently 28th and 29th in the NBA in defensive rating and fourth and third in pace, respectively. In other words, both give up a lot of points per possession while simultaneously playing at a pace that leads to lots of possessions. But the Pelicans have been victimized twice by the Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, the best offense in the NBA, while the Lakers have been getting torched by average offenses like the Timberwolves and the Mavericks. Thus, the Lakers "win" the title of worst defense of the night, which means that the Nuggets should be in for a good night.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hawks, Pacers, Magic, Kings, Raptors
Second game: Grizzlies
DraftKings DAILY FANTASY RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Emmanuel Mudiay at LAL ($5,900): There are several low-priced/high-upside point guards Tuesday including Mudiay (26.3 FPts/G), Elfrid Payton ($6,200, 25.7 FPts/G), Deron Williams ($5,700, 28.4 FPts/G) and even newcomer Toney Douglas ($3,300, 27.8 FPts in Pelicans debut). Mudiay and Payton get the advantage because they are playing against the worst and second worst defenses of the night. But Payton is a point guard that doesn't shoot well outside of the paint and will be going against a Pelicans defense featuring one of the best shot-blockers in the league in Anthony Davis. Mudiay, meanwhile, will face a Lakers defense with no rim protection whatsoever which gives him a better chance to shine. Mudiay also has some potential motivation, facing off against the point guard that was chosen above him in this year's draft, D'Angelo Russell.
Other suggestions:Elfrid Payton at NO ($6,200), Deron Williams vs. TOR ($5,700)
Shooting Guard
DeMar DeRozan at DAL ($7,400): DeRozan is the third highest priced option at shooting guard, but his price tag is reasonable for a player with an expected value of around 40 FPts/G (actual average 37.6 FPts/G, but has gone for 43.75 FPts in two of his three games). DeRozan also has a good matchup against a Mavericks defense that is 29th in points allowed to opposing shooting guards.
Other suggestions:Victor Oladipo at NO ($7,500), Eric Gordon vs. ORL ($5,400)
Small Forward
Danilo Gallinari at LAL ($6,400):Paul George ($8,100, 36.8 FPts/G) is the safest bet Tuesday, but he is also the highest priced option at small forward and facing the toughest defense of the night in Detroit (with the caveat that I watched George live when he exploded for 32 points in three quarters against the Pistons in the preseason). Gallinari had a sparkling opener against the Rockets (47 FPts), but has thrown up two clunkers since against the Thunder and Timberwolves. He is a great bounce-back candidate against the worst defense of the night, in a game that they should not be blown out like they were by the Thunder.
Other suggestions:Paul George at DET ($8,100), Nicolas Batum vs. CHI ($6,800)
Power Forward
Julius Randle vs DEN ($6,100): Randle has shown the volatility of a rookie thus far, with two outstanding performances (averaging 18.5 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals) surrounding a clunker against the Kings when he got in foul trouble. He next faces a Nuggets defense that isn't intimidating, so if he can stay out of foul trouble he should be able to produce.
Other suggestions:Nikola Mirotic at CHA ($6,700), Marvin Williams vs. CHI ($4,500)
Center
Andre Drummond vs IND ($8,200): Drummond is the highest-priced healthy center on the board Tuesday, but he has been an absolute monster against every team except Utah on the second night of a back-to-back. On Tuesday, he should be rested and not have to face Gobert, and in the first two games under those conditions Drummond averaged 53 FPts/G.
Other suggestions:Jonas Valanciunas vs. DAL ($6,200), Hassan Whiteside vs. ATL ($7,300)
Injury Report
Out
DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles)
Mike Dunleavy (lower back)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (shoulder)
JaVale McGee (leg)
Wilson Chandler (hip)
Jusuf Nurkic (knee)
Brandon Jennings (Achilles)
Jodie Meeks (foot)
Tyreke Evans (knee)
Norris Cole (ankle)
Quincy Pondexter (knee)
Kendrick Perkins (chest)
Game-Time Decision
Jeff Teague (finger)
Kyle Korver (ankle)
Thabo Sefolosha (ankle)
Kirk Hinrich (toe)
Cody Zeller (illness)
Wesley Matthews (Achilles)
Joffrey Lauvergne (back)
Nikola Jokic (back)
Brandon Bass (eye)
Larry Nance Jr. (nose)
Amar'e Stoudemire (knee)
Omer Asik (calf)
Lucas Nogueira (hamstring)
