This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
There are 10 NBA games on tap Wednesday, beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern time. Below you'll find a mix of players from all across the price spectrum, but all of them are primed to provide strong value and can fit into lineups regardless of strategy. FanDuel's format only counts the eight highest scores in your nine-player lineup, so keep that in mind when making your selections.
POINT GUARD
Fred VanVleet, TOR at SAC ($4,700): VanVleet's workload has slowly been ramping up since he returned from a four-game absence due to a toe injury, going from 20 minutes to 23 to 26 over the last three games. That trend is likely to continue, especially with a strong chance of Toronto's bench logging significant minutes should the 10-1 Raptors pull away from the 6-4 Kings. The career 39.8 percent three-point shooter is the catalyst for that bench unit with averages of 10.6 PPG and 5.0 APG on the young season, and VanVleet's shooting prowess could prove to be pivotal against a Kings defense that's allowing 12.7 makes from deep per game.
Jamal Murray, DEN at MEM ($7,700): Murray got off to a slow start, but he's bounced back beautifully with 22.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 3.3 APG over the past six games. While Nikola Jokic's heavy usage rate leaves Murray fewer assist opportunities than most point guards, Murray compensates with tremendous scoring ability, as illustrated by his 48-point outing against the Celtics on Monday. You'd ideally like a bit more consistency from Murray, but there's no denying his gargantuan upside.
SHOOTING GUARD
Dennis Schroder, OKC at CLE ($6,400): Schroder is in line for an extended role with Russell Westbrook set to sit out due to an ankle injury. The former Hawks guard played at least 30 minutes in each of Oklahoma City's first two games while Westbrook was out with an injury, but Schroder's eclipsed that mark only twice in seven subsequent contests. This bump in role comes at an ideal time, as Cleveland ranks among the league's worst defensive teams with 116.3 points allowed per game.
Alec Burks, UTA vs. DAL ($3,800): The Jazz are off to a shocking 0-4 start at home, but their losing ways at Vivint Smart Home Arena are likely to end against a Dallas team that's playing the second half of a back-to-back. Even without mitigating circumstances, the Mavericks have been among the league's worst defensive teams, and Burks is primed to take advantage of Dallas' shortcomings on that end. He scored a team-high 22 points Monday against the Raptors and will be asked to shoulder a heavy offensive load again, especially if Donovan Mitchell is at all hampered by his ankle injury.
SMALL FORWARD
Nikola Mirotic, NO vs. CHI ($8,400): If the Bulls knew Mirotic was going to start playing this well, they probably wouldn't have gotten rid of him last season. The sharpshooting Montenegrin heads into this revenge game against his old club riding a five-game double-double streak, which has featured 16-rebound performances in each of the past two contests. Overall, he's averaging a fantastic 21.8 PPG and 11.4 RPG this season, and Mirotic will be hungry to exceed those averages against a team that chose to side with Bobby Portis after Portis punched Mirotic in the face last season. The motivation factor in revenge games tends to get blown out of proportion sometimes, but it's very real in this case.
Jae Crowder, UTA vs. DAL ($5,300): Crowder is another guy primed to capitalize on this favorable matchup against Dallas. Since he's ingrained in a prominent sixth-man role, the one-time Mavericks forward should deliver a productive outing regardless of Mitchell's status. In his last five games, Crowder's averaging 16.8 PPG and 5.2 RPG.
POWER FORWARD
Jaren Jackson, MEM vs. DEN ($5,900): Jackson has thrived when given enough opportunities, averaging 17.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.7 steals and 3.0 blocks per game in the three games in which he's played 28 or more minutes. Memphis' starting power forward just logged a career-high 32 minutes in Monday's loss to the Warriors, and if that game is a sign of his workload to come, Jackson could be significantly undervalued at the moment.
Wendell Carter, CHI at NO ($7,400): Carter is another rookie big man making an immediate impact, as he's being asked to play big minutes in the injury-riddled Chicago backcourt and making the most of those minutes. Despite fouling out after just 22 minutes against the Knicks on Monday, Carter posted his third double-double in the past six games, bringing his averages over that span to 14.8 PPG and 9.8 RPG. He's been impactful in the hustle stats during that period as well, averaging 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks. Another boatload of minutes should be on its way against the talented Pelicans front court.
CENTER
Enes Kanter, NY at ATL ($7,300): In Monday's loss to the Bulls, Kanter became the first player since Charles Barkley to have at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and five assists off the bench, pouring in a 23-24-7 performance. That game was his second straight double-double off the bench, and the Turkish center is primed to stretch that streak to three facing a Hawks team he posted 16 points and 11 rebounds against in just 27 minutes as a starter on Opening Night. Kanter's outlook would grow even stronger if Tim Hardaway's back injury forces New York's primary scorer to sit another game, but either way, Kanter should get his against one of the worst defensive and rebounding teams in the league.
