This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to avoid: Utah Jazz at MEM. The Jazz are the defense to avoid pretty much every time they play. They are the best defense in the league and have a big-man battle brewing against the Grizzlies on Sunday.
Offense to Use: Orlando Magic at LAL. The Lakers are in the bottom half of the league at defending every single position. The Magic have some good value plays, and are in position to take advantage of all the weaknesses and openings that the Lakers' defense affords.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: None
Second game: Pistons, Trail Blazers, Raptors, Jazz
Kyrie Irving, CLE at PHO ($8200): Irving has been a monster in the last eight games, with only injury and rest capable of slowing him. Over that span, he has averaged 25 points, 9.3 assists, 5.1 boards, 2.8 steals and 2.0 treys. In his first game back after a three-game absence, he put up 32 points, four assists, three boards, three treys and two steals. He'll face a Suns defense that is 26th in the NBA in production allowed to opposing point guards over the last 10 games.
Eric Bledsoe, PHO vs CLE ($6900): Bledsoe has at least 37.5 fantasy points in five straight games, and in seven of his last eight. For some reason his price dropped several hundred dollars Sunday even though he's been playing well, with the lowest price he's had in at least a month. He's facing a tough Cavaliers defense, but just last week he dropped 41.5 fantasy points on the Jazz who are even tougher on defense against point guards.
Brandon Knight, PHO vs CLE ($3900): Knight's price is down to punt-play status on the strength of three straight games with under 10 minutes played, but he bounced back to his normal 26 minutes off the bench Thursday and responded with 17 points, two assists, two boards, a steal and a trey. If he stays at normal production Sunday, he's a value at this price tag.
Kevin Durant, GS at SAC ($9700): Durant has at least 50 fantasy points in five of his last six games, maintaining his role as an elite scorer with solid all-around production outside of that. He is facing a Kings defense that is solid against opposing small forwards, but Durant just dropped 50-plus fantasy points Friday against the 2nd best small forward defense in the Grizzlies, suggesting that he's pretty much matchup-proof.
Julius Randle, LAL vs ORL ($7000): Randle's production has varied from about 30 fantasy points up to almost 60 fantasy points over his last 10 games. He combines plus scoring, solid rebounding and a strong assist potential into consistently strong production. He'll face a Magic defense Sunday that is fairly average, ranking 14th against opposing power forwards this season.
Aaron Gordon, ORL at LAL ($5600): Gordon's production has been up-and-down all season, but of late he has settled into a consistently positive groove. Over his last three games he is averaging 18.3 points, 7.3 boards, 5.0 assists and 2.3 treys per game.
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs GS ($10,800): Cousins has been a monster as always, surpassing 50 fantasy points in six of his last seven games. On Sunday he'll face a Warriors defense that doesn't have anyone to slow him down, as he is much too athletic for ZaZa Pachulia and too large for Draymond Green.
Serge Ibaka, ORL at LAL ($6700): Ibaka has scored between 28.5 and 51.3 points in nine straight games, making him consistently productive with superstar upside. On Sunday he'll face a Lakers squad that ranks 26th in production to opposing power forwards.
Derrick Favors, UTA at MEM ($4900): Favors continues to trend up toward normal after his long injury absence. He is coming off 30 minutes for the first time since his injury, and responded with 15 points, six boards, two blocks and three steals Saturday. He has a tough matchup with the Grizzlies on Sunday, but will be a value at this price if he's able to perform close to his usual level.
