This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Wednesday's seven-game slate features three All-Stars battling against each other and a lot of other nice spots to target. Let's get right to it!
SLATE OVERVIEW
MEM (-2.5) @ CHA, O/U: 219
PHI (-1) @ ORL, O/U: 204
BOS (-9.5) vs. WAS O/U: 228.5
HOU (-2) vs. LAC, O/U: 233
MIN(-2) vs. SA, O/U: 227
LAL (-9.5) vs GS, O/U: 219.5
POR (-2) vs. TOR, O/U: 217.5
GAME TO TARGET
Rockets (-2) vs. Clippers
This is a no-brainer game to target as it will be the most-watched contest, and also will serve as a treasure trove for DFS players. James Harden ($11,700), Russell Westbrook ($8,900) and Kawhi Leonard ($9,700) will all be in play here. While both of these teams have happy offenses, their defensive numbers are a little loosey-goosey and leave a lot to be desired. You'd be a fool to completely fade the game, and while there's enough marquee talent to fill your roster without any combo of this trio, I think at least going with Kawhi would serve you well. At this price, we'd need at least 60 DKFP from Harden to bring him close to $150 per point. That's possible, and his numbers certainly indicate that it's probable, but you end up sacrificing mightily elsewhere. You can't sleep on mid-level guys like Lou Williams ($7,200) or Montrezl Harrell ($7,400), and P.J. Tucker ($4,700) is still producing decent numbers as a budget play.
GAME TO FADE
Sixers (-1) vs. Magic
Sure, you could fire up any number of Sixers, but they're on the tail end of a back-to-back and you might rest easier knowing that you can just pack that talent up and set it aside. And, are we really that high on anyone in Orlando at the moment? Nikola Vucevic ($8,300) could be a way to go slightly cheaper at center, but I'm not too thrilled about anyone else on that end of the ball. The best spot for Philly would be Al Horford ($5,900) due to his rest day on Tuesday.
INJURY SITUATIONS TO CONSIDER
Paul George (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
He gets a mention because there's a chance that we'll see him on Wednesday, but I honestly doubt it. Even if he plays, his minutes will be limited, so it'll be a bit before we witness a complete Clippers lineup.
Daniel Theis (finger) DOUBTFUL
Enes Kanter ($4,600) appears to be returning just in time. His price will inevitably rise, and although I'm not a fan of this game's metrics, his price makes him a tantalizing target.
The slate is actually relatively clean aside from ongoing injuries, and I'm going to assume you already know what to do with spots like Kyle Lowry (thumb), Serge Ibaka (ankle) and Jeff Teague (illness), although we might see Teague tonight. Check back with us later today for info on the backcourt situation for the Timberwolves.
ELITE PLAYERS
I'm going to go with LeBron James ($10,700) over Anthony Davis ($9,400) against the Warriors tonight. I think they'll both do well, but it'll be a fun day at the playground for LeBron, as he gets to drop the hammer on the depleted backcourt of a team he loves to beat. I'm less about the numbers, more about the moment with this play.
Karl-Anthony Towns MIN ($9,300) vs. SA
He has a bit of a tough matchup against the Spurs, but I'm not particularly concerned. He outperformed projections in three out of four games against an almost identical Spurs lineup last year, so we have some history to use as a reference. There are a lot of decent budget spots at center tonight, but I don't fault anyone for building around Towns.
Pascal Siakam, TOR ($8,700) @ POR
They're on a hellish third game of a road trip versus the elite teams of the West, and they almost went 2-0 in LA. Despite the potential for the Raptors to be gassed, they have no doubt enjoyed the warmer weather and should be fine against Portland on a day of rest. Siakam is very tempting against a Portland frontcourt that's struggled in the early going.
EXPECTED CHALK AND OTHER TARGETS
Andrew Wiggins, MIN ($7,900) vs. SA
We're seeing a brand-new Andrew Wiggins this year. The game flow isn't all that different -- he's simply making more shots. He's shooting 47.3 percent over ten games and has drilled 22 threes over that span as well. He's filling out his stat lines with rebounds and assists, he isn't turning the ball over, he's staying out of foul trouble -- like I said, brand new guy. You can't ignore his 40.3 DKFP game average any longer.
Thomas Bryant, WAS ($6,500) @ BOS
Bryant is a great example of one of those budget big men I was discussing earlier, except you get four-position eligibility with Bryant. The Wizards have somehow scraped together a 2-6 record so far, and Bryant is a key reason why they've managed to win two games. Over eight contests, Bryant has averaged 14.6 and 9.8 rebounds, dangerously close to a double-double average overall.
C.J. McCollum, POR ($6,300) vs. TOR
We've already mentioned Toronto's potential to be gassed on Wednesday, and McCollum could be in a prime position to blow up at this affordable price tag. His 46 DKFP game against the Hawks last week is evidence of his ability to pop, but I'd be perfectly happy with 35 DKFP relative to his salary.
VALUE PLAYS
Jonas Valanciunas, MEM ($6,000) @ CHA
Again, this is one of those ideal budget center spots worth taking advantage of on Wednesday. I'm inclined to make my utility position center-filled on this slate, and Valanciunas is a great candidate. The Hornets rank 25th overall in rebounding percentage, and the 219 O/U line gives me enough confidence that the pace will give him plenty of opportunities to shoot.
Brandon Clarke, MEM ($5,400) @ CHA
Clarke put up 14 points and eight rebounds in his return from a lingering back problem. I don't think he's completely past it yet, but you have to like the matchup and the price associated with a guy who can light it up when healthy. He's a slight risk-reward pick for tournament lineups.
Josh Richardson, PHI ($5,200) @ ORL
Richardson is one guy who didn't see as much action on Tuesday. He logged 34 minutes but was generally cold from the floor and didn't play a key role in the offense. With Ben Simmons still fighting an injury, Richardson should still get plenty of play in this back-to-back and an opportunity to rebound from a poor shooting night.
Isaiah Thomas, WAS ($4,900) @ BOS
As many predicted, Thomas has broken into the starting five in Washington and I think it's the best move the Wizards could make. We're already starting to see some of the great playmaking that made him a star in Boston. His numbers have jumped around a bit, but you have to like the revenge game potential in the Garden tonight.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, TOR ($4,500) @ POR
With OG Anunoby (eye) likely out, we should see an extended run from RHJ on Wednesday. He came dangerously close to a double-double in 28 minutes of relief on Tuesday. If Anunoby ends up as active, you'd need to strike this endorsement, but currently he looks like he could be good for the same kind of output.
SUMMARY
While you can make a play for Towns, I think a budget approach at center is the best way to go. The thinner-than normal list at guard makes me more inclined to spend up there, and there are a lot of ways to go at forward, including some budget plays like Miles Bridges ($4,900), Rui Hachimura ($4,700) and Dillon Brooks ($4,400), that I didn't get to mention.
Be sure to check back in with RotoWire later in the day to solidify your lineups!
