This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We've got a massive 11-game slate to tackle on Wednesday. While there are some injury situations sprinkled across a few games, we'll tackle them as we go along today instead of addressing them at the beginning of the article.
The debut of Jimmy Butler is worth a mention, as all eyes will be on the Sixers. I think the more intriguing issue will be the identity of the void-fillers after the departure of Robert Covington and Dario Saric. The duo completing the starting five will be J.J. Redick ($5,300) and Wilson Chandler ($3,600) moving forward. If you're looking for a risk/reward play, you could go with Butler here, but there are other high-priced targets I have my eye on. I'll be using Chandler and Redick to reach for them.
BLOWOUT ALERT: CLE at WAS
The O/U here is an underwhelming 219, but the Wizards are 11.5-point favorites I expect to see a little bit more from Jeff Green ($4,200), Kelly Oubre Jr. ($4,100) and Austin Rivers ($3,400), especially if the game gets way out of hand as expected. Cleveland is also on the second game of a back-to-back, leaving them especially vulnerable tonight.
I'll now select three players at each position accompanied by a small list of additional players to consider. When possible, I will endeavor to include one top-shelf player, a mid-range target and a low-cost value play in each category.
GUARDS
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. CHI ($8,000): Irving at home against the shaky Bulls backcourt defense is a bit too good to pass up. A lot of people will spend up a little more for Jrue Holiday or John Wall, but tonight is a night where Irving could get you the same amount of production for less. Irving isn't matchup-proof, but the game sets up to be an explosive performance. Over his last three games, Irving has delivered a stellar 54.2 DKFP average.
C.J McCollum, POR at LAL ($6,600): As the season pushes forward, we're starting to see repeat games that can give us a better sense of expected value and production. The Lakers came through with a 114-110 statement win in their first meeting, and McCollum put up a 41.75 DKFP score in that matchup. Damian Lillard (knee) has a questionable tag, but I expect him to play. Any limitation for Lillard spells good news for McCollum, who sees a 5.19 percent usage bump when Lillard is off the court.
Collin Sexton, CLE at WAS ($5,000): Despite the terrible matchup, you have to keep rolling with Sexton while George Hill (shoulder) is out. Choosing between Sexton and Jordan Clarkson ($5,600) can be a bit of a coin-toss in this scenario, but the $600 difference is substantial when you expect both players to give similar stat lines. I also think that a blowout favors Sexton over Clarkson, who can use more time on the court as the floor general of the future in Cleveland.
Other guards to consider: Zach LaVine, CHI at BOS ($7,900), J.J. Barea, DAL vs. UTA ($4,300)
FORWARDS
Anthony Davis, NO at MIN ($11,300): I was already partial to spending up at forward with this slate. The addition of Robert Covington and Dario Saric will leave the Timberwolves a bit out of sorts, providing an excellent situation for The Brow. It's also no secret that Karl-Anthony Towns isn't the world's best defender. There's plenty of room to buy Davis if you can roster a couple of the plentiful value spots available tonight. I have him slotted at forward because there are a few values at the center position (see below).
Aaron Gordon, PHI at ORL ($7,700): There's no comparison between Covington/Saric and Redick/Chandler when it comes to defensive prowess. A talent like Butler is invaluable, but the Sixers took a considerable hit defensively to acquire him. All eyes will be on Butler in this game, but Aaron Gordon is in an excellent position to steal the show. He's averaged 40.5 DKFP over the past five games, and while that's not enough to meet value at this price, Gordon is due for a big score.
DeMarre Carroll, BKN vs. MIA ($4,100):Caris LeVert (foot) is out for the foreseeable future, and I think Carroll is the guy to benefit the most from the injury. He recently made his season debut after being sidelined with an ankle injury and is now thrust into a more significant role. I'm a fan of Allen Crabbe ($3,800), and I think we'll see a definite bump from him, but Carroll is going to have the more reliable floor in the short-term.
Other forwards to consider: Paul George, OKC vs. NY ($9,800), T. J. Warren, PHO vs. SA ($5,800)
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET at TOR ($9,300): Drummond is primed to go for his fifth straight double-double, and a good bit of his rebound production should come on the defensive end as the Raptors rank 25th in offensive rebound percentage. He's demonstrating one of the most reliable floors in the league, as he's dipped below 40 DKFP only once in his past ten games. You can't spend up everywhere, but if you can find value everywhere else, getting Davis and Drummond together will get you 100 DKFP or more with six slots left.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at WAS ($5,800): You might think I'm hitting this game a little hard, but Thompson only saw 28 minutes (11 points, 21 rebounds, five assists) in Tuesday's surprising win against the Hornets. As a result, I think the back-to-back is unlikely to affect him much. He's enjoyed more success than Larry Nance in the interior, and I think he'll have low ownership tonight in a game that most players will stay away from.
Ed Davis, BKN at MIA ($4,200): I said I'd give you value here. I think Jarrett Allen will play despite a questionable tag, but Davis can put up big numbers with minimal time on the court. We are likely to see a bit more of him as Allen shakes off an illness, and if he gets anywhere close to the 14 rebounds he snagged against Minnesota, he'll easily meet value.
Other centers to consider: Wendell Carter Jr, CHI at BOS ($5,700)
