This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
IND vs. MIL (-8.5), O/U: 232
PHI (-7.5) vs. CHA, O/U: 221.5
DAL (-2) vs. ATL, O/U: 224
HOU (-6.5) vs. OKC, O/U: 222.5
LAC (-9.5) vs. CLE, O/U: 216.5
NY vs. CHI (-3), O/U: 216.5
WAS vs. MIA (-8.5), O/U: 229.5
MIN vs SA (-8), O/U: 223.5
PHX (-2.5) vs. NO, O/U: 222.5
BOS (-1.5) vs. SAC, O/U: 226.5
Wednesday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and includes 10 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, John Wall, LaMarcus Aldridge and PJ Washington have already been ruled out. Andre Drummond, D'Angelo Russell, Terry Rozier and Steven Adams are listed as questionable. The Wizards are playing the second night of a back-to-back and we've seen Russell Westbrook rest in similar spots this season so keep an eye out for news.
Luka Doncic and Trae Young will square off tonight in a matchup that's always intriguing after the two were traded for each other on draft night. The HOU-OKC game is a reasonable target as both teams are missing key players. The same can be said for MIN-SA. I like the PHI-CHA matchup as well. Joel Embiid will likely be the popular spend-up option at center and the Hornets, already without PJ Washington, could be missing Terry Rozier again and that would mean another start for LaMelo Ball. It seems reasonable to fade the LAC-CLE matchup as the Clippers are big favorites and will be playing the second night of a back-to-back.
Injuries to Monitor
Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19): OUT
Towns hasn't played since Jan. 13 and has already been ruled out tonight. Naz Reid ($5,800) and Ed Davis ($3,800) will continue to see extra run.
Andre Drummond (back): QUESTIONABLE
Drummond sat out Monday and is listed as questionable for tonight. If he were to miss, Jarrett Allen ($6,500) would get another start.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee): OUT
Gilgeous-Alexander won't play tonight due to a left knee sprain. Theo Maledon ($4,300) and Hamidou Diallo ($4,500) will see increased run.
John Wall (achilles): OUT
Wall will rest tonight on the front end of a back-to-back. Eric Gordon ($5,400) will likely start in his place.
D'Angelo Russell (quad): QUESTIONABLE
Russell has been through a quad injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. If he were to miss, Ricky Rubio ($4,500) would start in his place.
Larry Nance (wrist): OUT
Nance will miss his second consecutive game tonight. Taurean Prince ($4,900) will likely get another start at power forward.
Terry Rozier (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Rozier sat out on Monday and is listed as questionable for tonight. LaMelo Ball ($7,000) and Malik Monk ($4,000) saw increased run in his absence.
PJ Washington (foot): OUT
Washington will miss his first game of the season after spraining his foot on Monday. Miles Bridges ($4,600) will likely start in his place.
Steven Adams (calf): QUESTIONABLE
Adams sat out on Monday and is listed as questionable for tonight. If he misses tonight, Jaxson Hayes ($4,300) will likely start and Willy Hernangomez ($3,900) will see increased run.
LaMarcus Aldridge (hip): OUT
Aldridge was ruled out tonight due to a hip flexor injury. Jakob Poeltl ($4,600) should get the start at center.
Elite Players
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,000), Luka Doncic ($10,800) and Joel Embiid ($10,000) are the three players with five-figure salaries on tonight's slate. Giannis is coming off his worst fantasy performance of the season as he only played 26 minutes in Monday's blowout win. Before that, he had put up three consecutive games of at least 63 DK points. Doncic has been underwhelming of late, failing to eclipse 50 DK points in any of the past four games. His shot volume has been down as the Mavericks have gotten healthier but a matchup against Trae Young provides a good spot for a bounce back. Embiid sat out on Sunday as he continues to periodically rest his sore back. He has topped 58 DK points in four of his past five games and seems like a bit of a bargain tonight. He's my pick of the three.
Bradley Beal ($9,700), Trae Young ($9,500) and Russell Westbrook ($9,200) are the guards that make up the 9K range. The Wizards are playing the second night of a back-to-back and it's possible that we could see Westbrook rest as he has done so in similar spots this season. If that happens, Beal would be the popular spend up option at guard. Trae Young faces off against Luka Doncic tonight in a matchup that will always draw attention as the two were traded for each other. Young continues to be incredibly consistent as he has now topped 50 DK points in eight consecutive games. He's among my favorite plays on the slate tonight.
Julius Randle ($9,100), Kawhi Leonard ($9,000) and Jayson Tatum ($8,900) are the elite forwards on the slate tonight. Randle has put up 50 DK points in consecutive games as he continues to see big minutes and usage. Leonard is coming off a great game against the Nets last night in a losing effort. Keep an eye on his status as the Clippers are playing a back-to-back and we've seen him rest in these spots before. Tatum has played well and seen big minutes in four games since returning from an extended COVID-19 absence and the Celtic have a great matchup against the Kings tonight. I prefer to save some salary and pay down at forward tonight.
Expected Chalk
Theo Maledon ($4,300)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out tonight and that will open up a significant amount of usage for the remaining Thunder guards. Maledon should stand to benefit most. He's essentially the only point guard they will have active as George Hill is also out. He should see plenty of the ball and take more shots than usual. I'd expect him to be very popular in all contests.
Hamidou Diallo ($4,500)
Diallo should step into the starting lineup for the injured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's averaging more than one DK point per minute this season and whether he starts or not, should get plenty of run tonight. As it stands, I'd expect Diallo and Maledon to be the most popular players on the slate.
Value Picks
Lonzo Ball ($5,700)
Ball has put up at least 30 DK points in three consecutive games and he's playing mid-30s minutes again. It's only a matter of time before we see his salary back in the mid 6K range.
Eric Gordon ($5,400)
Gordon will likely get the start in place of the resting John Wall. He's been playing well even when Wall has been active and tonight should see more minutes and more shot attempts.
Jakob Poeltl ($4,600)
Poeltl will start for the injured LaMarcus Aldridge tonight and I'd expect him to be the popular pay-down option at center. He's averaging just under a fantasy point per minute this season and has been hit or miss in these spots in the past.
Miles Bridges ($4,600)
Bridges is expected to start in place of the injured PJ Washington tonight. He's been playing mid-20s minutes off the bench and I'd expect low-30s tonight with the possibility of more usage playing power forward.
Luguentz Dort ($4,400)
Dort will be a popular value option with the injury to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Keep in mind that he's failed to top 20 DK points in five consecutive games while playing at least 30 minutes in four of them. He should have more shot attempts tonight though.
