This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
A quick reminder regarding how to use this article: the team analyses at the top are a general guide to get you started – use them as a tiebreaker between two players or as a way to begin thinking about building your team. The player recommendations at the bottom highlight specific players who I expect to outperform their salaries. If a player recommendation appears to conflict with advice from the team analyses, the player recommendation takes precedence.TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense to Avoid
Utah Jazz at Miami Heat
The Jazz lost a very high scoring affair to the Cavaliers on Tuesday. The score was high enough that it temporarily knocked the Jazz out of first place in opponent points per game. The new leader there, the Warriors, is also in action Thursday, and daily gamers should be cautious of them as well. But the Jazz operate at the league's slowest pace, while the Warriors run at the third fastest. Less important, but also worth noting, is that the Jazz are better rested (Warriors are playing the second night of a back to back).
Offense to Use
Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
Both of these teams rank in the league's top third for pace, which translates into lots of extra possessions for players to rack up statistics. The Warriors boast a league-leading offense. Pay extra attention to the Warriors' shooters, as they've already attempt the second-most threes per game, while the Timberwolves' opponents attempt the third most threes.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers
Second game: Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Brandon Knight vs LAC ($7,000): Knight is averaging plenty of minutes (just over 35 per game) and plays for one of the fastest teams in the league. He's coming off an unusually bad game, which is a good thing for daily gamers because it lowered his salary a few hundred dollars. Before that unusual game Sunday, Knight had scored at least 34 fantasy points in five straight.
Other suggestions: Zach LaVine* vs GS ($3,500); Trey Burke at MIA ($4,500)
* Only if Ricky Rubio (knee; questionable) is out.
Shooting Guard
Klay Thompson at MIN ($6,700): As described above, I expect this to be a great night for Warriors shooters. Among the many players on that dynamic offense who might be classified as a shooter, Thompson strikes me as the best value for his salary. He's made 14 three pointers on only 31 attempts (45 percent) over his last four games, yet his salary is down slightly from last week.
Other suggestions: Tyler Johnson vs UTA ($3,300); Eric Bledsoe vs LAC ($8,000)
Small Forward
Andre Iguodala at MIN ($4,800): Iguodala's best game of the season came last week, on the second night of a back-to-back when the Warriors turned to their veteran leader off the bench. A similar situation seems probable Thursday, the second game of a back-to-back and their fifth game in seven days. Similar to the factors working in Thompson's favor, they could also benefit most of the Warriors' second unit, but due to his more significant role, combined with his favorable salary, Iguodala seems best positioned to take advantage.
Other suggestions: T.J. Warren vs LAC ($3,400); Gordon Hayward at MIA ($6,300)
Power Forward
Blake Griffin at PHO ($9,400): On nights with a small slate of games, high cost players become more valuable. This is due in large part to the fact that the total score required to win contests is typically lower. Griffin is a far superior player to any defender that the Suns can throw at him (assuming Tyson Chandler spends most of his night matched up against DeAndre Jordan). Griffin is averaging nearly 28 points and 10 rebounds, plus almost four assists per game, this season.
Other suggestions: Derrick Favors at MIA ($7,100); Chris Bosh at UTA ($7,200); Draymond Green at MIN ($6,900)
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns vs GS ($7,500): I don't love how fast Towns' salary is rising, but if his current hot streak continues, the the salary won't matter. He's riding three consecutive double-doubles, adding at least three blocks in each of them. It's worth the gamble to see how long he can keep this going.
Other suggestions: Festus Ezeli at MIN ($4,600); If Rudy Gobert sits, whoever starts at center for Utah, but it's not yet clear who that would be.
INJURY REPORT
Out
Kevon Looney, F, GS (hip)
Gerald Green, G, MIA (suspension)
Nikola Pekovic, C, MIN (Achilles)
Game-Time Decision
J.J. Redick, G, LAC (back)
Amar'e Stoudemire, F, MIA (knee)
Ricky Rubio, G, MIN (knee)
Andrew Wiggins, F, MIN (knee)
Rudy Gobert, C, UTA (ankle)
