This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers: Since the All-Star break, the Jazz have become defensive monsters. A huge part of that, literally, is the emergence of Rudy Gobert - a 7-foot monster who is too young to understand that it's weird to average 17 rebounds per game. Gobert is helping hold opponents below 40 percent on all field goals. To give you some sense of how impressive that is: since the break, opponents are more likely to make a three pointer against the Spurs or the Magic (40 percent) than they are to make any shot against the Jazz (39 percent).
Offenses to Use
Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks: Few can relate to these Knicks better than the Timberwolves. Back in January, it was the Wolves who were fighting for the "league's worst team" title after injuries had robbed them of nearly every watchable player. Unfortunately for the Knicks, however, sympathy can't help them play better. The Knicks are the league's second least efficient offense since the break.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks
Second game of a back-to-back: Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Dante Exum, UTA (at LAL), PG, ($3,200): What I said about Exum in Wednesday's article still applies Thursday. The most important difference is that Wednesday I recommended Exum despite a tough matchup and when there were 22 teams in action to choose from. On Thursday, there are far fewer alternatives, and Exum faces one of the most favorable matchups possible for a guard.
Other suggestions: Alexey Shved, NY (vs MIN), PG, ($6,600); Tyreke Evans, NO (at PHO), PG, ($7,600)
Shooting Guard
James Harden, HOU (vs DEN), SG, ($10,800): The shooting guard crop looks ugly Thursday, so stick with what you know. Harden has been much more expensive against better backcourts many times this season. He's expensive, but probably worth it for the consistency of performance.
Kevin Martin, MIN (at NY), SG, ($5,800): Most nights this season, Martin wouldn't come near this list – like I said, this shooting guard crop looks thin. But if you don't want to sink 20 percent of your salary into 13 percent of your roster, then I owe it to you to name another option. Martin totaled 30 fantasy points in back-to-back games earlier this week, so gamers who run with him have hope he can make that three games out of four.
Other suggestions: None
Small Forward
Danilo Gallinari, DEN (at HOU), SF, ($6,000): It's nice to see Gallinari making an impact after all the struggles he's had with injuries over the past few years. Traditional fantasy players who have drafted Gallinari probably remember his ability to produce excellent box scores as long as he was healthy. That kind of injury risk doesn't matter nearly as much in the daily settings.
Other suggestions: Rodney Hood, UTAH (vs LAL), SF, ($4,600)
Power Forward
Terrence Jones, HOU (vs DEN), PF, ($6,800): Before laying an egg on Tuesday, Jones had posted three straight triple-doubles. The Nuggets are very favorable for opposing power forwards, and Jones is the leading man for the Rockets frontcourt until Dwight Howard (knee) comes back.
Other suggestions: Markieff Morris, PHO (vs NO), PF, ($6,400)
Center
Rudy Gobert, UTA (at LAL), C, ($8,100): That wasn't a typo up in the intro - Gobert is averaging more than 17 rebounds per night through nine games in March. That's in addition to double-digit scoring and more than two blocks per game.
Other suggestions: Justin Hamilton, MIN (at NY), C, ($4,500)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Dwight Howard (knee)
Kostas Papanikolaou (ankle)
Nick Young (knee)
Anthony Bennett (ankle)
Robbie Hummel (hand)
Ryan Anderson (knee)
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Jose Calderon (Achilles)
Danny Granger (knee)
Game-Time Decision
Ty Lawson (rest) is expected to play Thursday.
Danilo Gallinari (rest) is expected to play Thursday.
Kenneth Faried (rest) is expected to play Thursday.
Patrick Beverley (elbow) is questionable.
Jason Terry (hamstring) is questionable.
Kevin Garnett (knee) is a game-time decision after missing Wednesday's game.
Justin Hamilton (illness) is a game-time decision after missing Wednesday's game.
Gary Neal (illness) is a game-time decision after missing Wednesday's game.
Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is a game-time decision after missing Wednesday's game.
Anthony Davis (hip) is a game-time decision.
Cleanthony Early (ankle) is doubtful.
Tim Hardaway (wrist) is doubtful.
Brandon Knight (ankle) is doubtful.
Alex Len (ankle) is unlikely to play.
