This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
Because there are only two games Thursday, the most expensive DraftKings roster possible would cost only $62,400 - a very low figure. There are also only five players priced between $4,500 and $6,000. Combined, these two factors serve to decrease the need for strict budgeting. Unless you plan on using at least two of the three highest priced players (Stephen Curry, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Pau Gasol), you may have difficulty spending your entire salary. If you feel good about a player, don't worry about their price, just put them on your roster.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors: The Warriors are coming off two defensible losses to the Spurs and the Pelicans. Even though the Warriors no longer have anything to play for, a team whose success has so much to do with intangibles - camaraderie, team cohesion, everyone embracing their role - can't afford to make a habit of losing. Furthermore, Thursday's game could very easily be a preview of a second round playoff matchup, which adds incentive for both teams. The Warriors, however, are a league-leading defense and the best defense in action Thursday by a considerable margin.
Though regular readers may view this as gratuitous, it is still worth mentioning: with so few games to choose from, it's hard to avoid any one team. Instead, view this section more as a tiebreaker. For example, if you find yourself torn between Andrew Bogut and Robin Lopez, then consider the disadvantage Blazers players generally face due to this matchup.
Offenses to Use
Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat: While the Warriors are the best defense in action Thursday, the Heat are the worst. If Hassan Whiteside (hand) plays - he's currently probable - then the Heat defense becomes less bad. Even with Whiteside, however, they still wouldn't approach the level of the Bulls or the Warriors. The Bulls offense, on the other hand, has been clicking recently. Even before getting Derrick Rose (knee) back Wednesday, they ranked in the top third of the league for points per possession, and the Bulls have been tangibly better with Rose than without. With Rose, the Bulls sport a .630 record, and without him, their win percentage is only .531.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: None.
Second game of a back-to-back: Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Goran Dragic, MIA (vs CHI), PG, ($6,800): I don't like to mess around with point guards on nights with only a handful of teams to choose from. Unless there is an obvious discount play available, I try to stick to the bigger names and more stable producers. So while Leandro Barbosa (GS, $3,200) and C.J. McCollum (POR, $3,600) have had some strong games recently, neither are consistent or predictable enough for my tastes. Dragic, on the other hand, is the second most consistent point guard in action Thursday, behind only the overpriced Aaron Brooks.
Other suggestions: Damian Lillard, POR (at GS), PG, ($7,900); Stephen Curry, GS (vs POR), PG, ($9,200)
Shooting Guard
Klay Thompson, GS (vs POR), SG, ($6,800): Thompson is in the midst of a two-game slump, but that slump has the upside of having shaved $500 off his salary. Over his last two games, he has shot just 5-of-21 from the field and 1-of-8 from deep. There has been only one two-game period all season during which Thompson made one or fewer threes. That happened while he was being eased back from an ankle injury and playing limited minutes. I love Thompson's probable matchup against Arron Afflalo, who is much shorter than Thompson. Assuming Thompson can take advantage of the matchup and get his shooting back on track, he could provide some significant profit.
Other suggestions: James Ennis, MIA (vs CHI), SG, ($3,100); Arron Afflalo, POR (at GS), SG, ($4,200); Jimmy Butler, CHI (at MIA), SG, ($7,800)
Small Forward
Mike Dunleavy, CHI (at MIA), SF, ($4,500): The good news is that you have almost no choice but to save money at small forward (unless you go with Nicolas Batum, the only player who costs more than the per-roster spot average). The bad news is that you have to use at least one small forward, and the pickings are slim. Dunleavy has a fairly stable production floor, and he carries a mediocre chance of profit. That's not much, but it's better than can be said about most of the other options.
Other suggestions: Luol Deng, MIA (vs CHI), SF, ($5,200)
Power Forward
LaMarcus Aldridge, POR (at GS), PF, ($8,800): One quirk of Thursday's small slate is that all four teams rank near average or tougher against power forwards. As a result, the Warriors rank of 17th against the position is actually the easiest matchup for power forwards available. Draymond Green may be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate capable of guarding players much larger than him, but Aldridge is an All-Star who got the better of Green in their only other matchup this season. When the two faced off in November, Aldridge double-doubled to the tune of 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Other suggestions: None. Taj Gibson, if you're making me choose. But I'd rather not be put in that situation.
Center
Hassan Whiteside, MIA (vs CHI), C, ($6,900): Whiteside comes at a slight discount after sitting out a few games due to a hand injury. He's slated to return against a Bulls squad that is among the most favorable in the league for opposing centers. Just be sure to double-check later that he is active Thursday, since he is only probable as of this writing.
Other suggestions: Andrew Bogut, GS (cs POR), C, ($5,200)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Dorell Wright (hand)
Game-Time Decision
Derrick Rose (knee) is expected to play but remain on a minutes restriction.
Chris Anderson (foot) is probable.
Michael Beasley (illness) is questionable.
Mario Chalmers (illness) is questionable.
Luol Deng (knee) is probable.
Hassan Whiteside (hand) is probable.
