This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
ATL vs. BKN (-7.5), O/U: 239
MEM vs. BOS (-9), O/U: OTB
MIL (-6.0) vs. MIA, O/U: OTB
CHA vs. DAL (-8.5), O/U: 222.5
LAL (-6.0) vs SA, O/U: 230
POR vs. LAC (-3.5), O/U: OTB
Wednesday's DraftKings slate tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST and includes six games. Waiting for late news and saving lineup spots for the later games continues to bring significant edge as unexpected injuries, late scratches and lineup changes have been a nightly occurrence. There are some nice value plays in the late games as well so I'll be looking to target those. The ATL-BKN game will be popular as it has the highest total on the slate and features Kevin Durant at a reduced salary. The Bucks and Heat will run it back after Milwaukee blew them out last night and it seems like a reasonable spot to avoid although none of the starters played big minutes.
Injuries to Monitor
Kawhi Leonard (mouth): QUESTIONABLE
Leonard sat out last night's game as he continues to recover from a mouth laceration. His status for tonight is up in the air so it will need to be monitored before tipoff. If he's unable to go, Luke Kennard ($4,700) will likely start again.
LeBron James (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
James has been playing through a sprained ankle but it's likely that his official status won't be known until after warmups. If he were to sit, Kyle Kuzma ($5,900) or Talen Horton-Tucker ($3,200) could slot into the starting lineup.
Ja Morant (ankle): OUT
Morant has a grade 2 sprain and will miss 3-5 weeks. Tyus Jones ($5,200) will likely start and Desmond Bane ($3,200) should see increased run.
Jimmy Butler (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Butler missed last night's game due to ankle soreness and his availability for tonight remains up in the air. Maurice Harkless ($3,200) started in his place and played four minutes.
Danilo Gallinari (foot): QUESTIONABLE
Gallinari was a game-time decision on Monday before being ruled out. If he's unable to go tonight, Bogdan Bogdanovic ($4,800) and De'Andre Hunter ($4,900) will continue to benefit.
Elite Players
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,800) and Luka Doncic ($10,700) are the most expensive players on the slate. Doncic is likely to be popular even though he has yet to eclipse 50 DK points in a game this season. His usage is still there and if the game stays competitive, he's primed to hit a ceiling. Giannis is playing the second night of a back-to-back and while he only played 24 minutes yesterday. I still lean with Doncic in this spot.
LeBron James ($9,800) is questionable and Anthony Davis ($9,700) has been underwhelming. There is also good value to be had in the earlier games. For those reasons, both are likely to be low rostered and either could provide good leverage over the presumably more popular studs if you want to gamble.
Damian Lillard ($10,000), Trae Young ($9,500) and Kyrie Irving ($8,900) round out the elite guards. Both Young and Irving are appealing tonight as they will go head-to-head in a game with the slate's highest total. Lillard's salary is up and unless you believe in the Dame vs. Clippers rivalry narrative, I think it's a good spot to avoid.
Kevin Durant ($8,400) will likely provide some of the best value on the slate tonight. His salary was $9,400 last game and there doesn't seem to be any discernible reason for the big discount. He will be popular and rightfully so.
Expected Chalk
Kevin Durant ($8,400)
As I stated above, his salary is a bit puzzling. The matchup is great and minutes aren't a concern if the game stays competitive. He will be a popular cash play and obviously has the upside for tournaments.
Tyus Jones ($5,200)
Jones has seen a $2,100 salary increase overnight with the injury to Ja Morant but he's still too cheap for a starting point guard that should have plenty of usage. On a slate where cheap value appears to be scarce, Jones will be popular in most contests.
DeMar DeRozan ($6,900)
Like Kevin Durant, DeRozan's salary is also a bit of a head-scratcher. He was $8,000 last week and while the matchup with the Lakers is a tough one, expect him to be popular in both cash games and tournaments.
Value Picks
Gordon Hayward ($7,200) is starting to resemble the player he was with the Jazz. He's had two big games already this season and his salary won't be this cheap for long if he stays healthy.
Tyler Herro ($5,400) and Goran Dragic ($5,500) are both good options if Jimmy Butler is sidelined again. The concern is the possibility of another blowout. Dragic logged just 10 minutes last night as the game was over by halftime.
If you are looking to pay all the way down you could do worse than Grayson Allen ($3,600) or Desmond Bane ($3,200). Allen has been seeing consistent minutes and Bane should get a bump with the injury to Ja Morant.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Bogdan Bogdanovic ($4,800) would be in a good spot against Brooklyn tonight if Danilo Gallinari is ruled out again.
