This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
The NBA gives us one of the largest slates yet on Wednesday, with 20 teams in action. As a rule, I tend to load up on single-entry GPP contests with a slate this high, which is something I would rarely do on a slate like the four-games we had on Tuesday, where you're hard-pressed to find a low-ownership candidate. While there is no hard and fast rule for game selection, I favor an 80/20 approach on large slates, lowering my standard cash-to-tournament ratio of 90/10.
Russell Westbrook (ankle) stands out as the most significant injury concern we have on Wednesday. While reports say he'll back in a few days, the injury looked far worse than that, and there's no question that he'll sit out against the Cavs. This means that Dennis Schroder ($6,900) will take the floor as the Thunder's starting point guard. Schroder has carried some value even with a healthy Westbrook, but as the starter, he has provided a DKFP floor in the mid-30's with the potential to push it to 40 or more. He's a lock to be highly-owned, but that's fine with me in my cash lineups. Paul George ($9,100) and Jerami Grant ($5,100) will also carry a more significant load, which should result in a slight bump in production for both players.
Kawhi Leonard's (foot) status against the Kings is unclear. Fred VanVleet ($4,300) and OG Anunoby ($3,300) have benefited the most from Leonard's absence, so both are reasonable low-cost pivots if Kawhi sits.
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) should be good to go tonight, but I have my doubts about Hassan Whiteside (knee). His MRI was clean, but without a definite prognosis, I think they'll play it safe and send Bam Adebayo ($4,900) out again. He had a decent 31 DKFP game against the Pistons on Monday, but he'll face the slower-paced Spurs tonight at home, limiting his value somewhat.
I'll now select three players per position, accompanied by a small list of additional players to consider in each spot. When possible, I will endeavor to include a top-shelf player, a mid-range target and a low-cost value play in each category.
GUARDS
Kyle Lowry, TOR at SAC ($8,900): I like Lowry independent of Kawhi's status tonight, as I think he's a far more reliable pick at the top of this slate, especially with Ben Simmons facing a tough Indy defense. Over the past five games the Kings are 19th in defensive efficiency versus point guards. While I'd consider that an improvement, they also gave up 52 DKFP to John Wall. Lowry has hit 50 DKFP twice already this season and could be in line for a third visit.
De'Aaron Fox, SAC vs. TOR ($6,300): I slid past a host of favorable guys to get to Fox, but I want to stay true to my format. In truth, I think the guards on this slate are a little top-heavy and it'll be a challenge to go low at this position tonight. But Fox is your best bet in this neighborhood. While the Raptors rank fifth overall in scoring defense, Fox has performed reasonably well against the Bucks and the Grizzlies, two teams that rank higher than Toronto in OPPG (Opponent's Points Per Game). He's averaging 42.6 DKFP over his past four games, and his usage is holding steady.
George Hill, CLE vs. OKC ($4,000): There's no question that any Cavalier endorsement carries a modicum of risk. But in the short-term, the Cavs have been looking to win. While they didn't beat Orlando on Monday, they certainly came close, due in large part to Hill's 44.6 DKFP performance. He also had a decent outing in their only win this season against the Hawks, so it seems like Cleveland's fortunes are somewhat tied to Hill. This may have something to do with interim coach Larry Drew, as Hill's minutes have trended up since he took the helm.
Other guards to consider: Zach LaVine, CHI at NO ($8,500), Jamal Murray, DEN at MEM ($7,500), Derrick Rose, MIN at LAL ($5,600)
FORWARDS
Nikola Mirotic, NO vs. CHI ($8,300): Mirotic's numbers remain steady independent of Anthony Davis' status, and Julius Randle hasn't put a dent in his output either. He's averaged a rock-solid 45 DKFP per game over his past five and has notched five straight double-doubles. It's hard to argue with production like that, even at his relatively steep price.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. MIN ($5,900): With all of the shuffling going on in LA it's tough to make reliable predictions, but Kuzma seems to be the least affected by the drama. Since employing the Ingram/Kuzma starting combo, the Lakers look a bit more cohesive and it's resulted in increased usage and production from Kuzma, who would usually come off the bench. His stat lines have been a bit up-and-down, but you can generally rely on a 30 DKFP floor from him, especially against a Minnesota defense that struggles against wing players.
Kent Bazemore, ATL vs. NY ($5,700): Even though this is a back-to-back game, Bazemore was the biggest beneficiary with Taurean Prince (ankle) out last night, and Prince could miss another contest. I like Bazemore over any other Hawk poised to benefit from this injury, although Kevin Huerter ($3,400) could be a cheap option as well.
Other forwards to consider: Paul George, OKC at CLE ($9,100), Domantas Sabonis, IND vs. PHI ($6,100), Serge Ibaka, TOR at SAC ($5,300)
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET at ORL ($9,000): Drummond has always been a rebound machine, but he absolutely pummeled the Heat with 24 rebounds on Monday on the way to a 63 DKFP score. I think he'll keep humming on this Florida swing, although it will largely depend on the number of minutes he receives. He's had a decent history against Nikola Vucevic, however. Drummond has racked up double-digit rebounds against Vucevic in seven of their past eight matchups.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. DAL ($8,000) With DeAndre Jordan and the Mavs on a back-to-back, I like Gobert in this game at home. He's averaging 16.3 points and 13.4 rebounds and, in fact, has only missed a double-double once! He's likely to get broad exposure from me in all formats.
Wendell Carter Jr, CHI at NO ($6,200): You might as well cut-and-paste Carter into every column, because I'm not going away from him until his price dictates otherwise. He's coming at an incredibly low price when you consider his overall production over the past five games (15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.4 steals). Even though he's squaring up against The Brow, I think he's on his way to becoming matchup-proof.
Other centers to consider: Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at LAL ($8,800), Enes Kanter, NY at ATL ($7,100), Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. OKC ($5,000)
