This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Wednesday's NBA slate features plenty of action, with 11 games on tap beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern time. Among the many available options in this slate, the nine guys below stand out as players to target. 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
Jalen Brunson, DAL vs. ATL ($4,500): Brunson flourished in the past three games with Dennis Smith sidelined by a wrist injury, finishing between 25.5 and 29.9 fantasy points in each while seeing his playing time climb from 25 minutes to 30 to 31. Fellow rookie point guard Trae Young has been a defensive liability for a Hawks team that's allowing a league-high 118.2 points per game, so Brunson's primed to build on his recent success with Smith already ruled out Wednesday.
Shelvin Mack, MEM vs. POR ($3,800): Mack's played at least 20 minutes in each of the past seven games, and he could be in for a massive bump in role here as the leading candidate to start at point guard should Mike Conley's hamstring injury force him to miss this contest. Considering Mack just scored 14 points in 23 minutes Monday, he should have no problems outperforming his minuscule $3,800 valuation if Conley sits against a Blazers team that's playing its second game in as many nights.
SHOOTING GUARD
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC vs. MIN ($6,200): Bogdanovic has been on his game recently, recording 33.7 or more fantasy points in four of the past six contests. The talented Serb flies under the radar because he comes off the bench, but Bogdanovic still plays north of 30 minutes most nights and should be effective in Sacramento against a Minnesota team that's just 2-10 on the road this season.
Jaylen Brown, BOS at WAS ($5,500): Brown is averaging 21.0 PPG in three games since returning from a back injury, and 35.2 fantasy points per game over the last two. With Gordon Hayward likely out due to an illness, Brown could be asked to carry a greater offensive load on the wing, and he should be up to the task against a Wizards team that's surrendering 116.4 points per game -- second-most in the league.
SMALL FORWARD
Kevin Durant, GS vs. TOR ($10,200): Durant exploded for 51 points the last time the Warriors and Raptors faced off, and that was with Kawhi Leonard playing for Toronto. Even if Leonard suits up after sitting out Tuesday's game against the Clippers with a hip issue, Durant should still have no problem putting together a strong performance against a Raptors team that's playing its second game in as many nights, especially with the Warriors looking for revenge after dropping their Nov. 29 meeting despite Durant's heroics.
Justise Winslow, MIA at UTA ($5,800): At just $5,800, Winslow makes for a strong choice given his recent play, even against a Jazz team that's holding opponents to 107.8 points per game. His well-rounded stat line of 23.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 5.7 APG over the past three games has led to three consecutive performance over 40.0 fantasy points. If Winslow keeps playing like this, he won't be available at this price much longer, so snag this bargain while you can.
POWER FORWARD
Kevin Knox, NY at CLE ($4,900): Knox has started to flash his extensive upside with greater frequency of late, topping 40.0 fantasy points twice in the past five games, including a 26-point, 15-rebound performance in his last appearance Sunday against Charlotte. Still available at just $4,900, it's hard to ignore the rookie ninth overall pick's high ceiling against a Cleveland club that's just 6-21 this season.
Larry Nance, CLE vs. NY ($5,800): Nance's point totals have trended up in each of the past five games, with him most recently scoring 16 Monday in Milwaukee. He's also averaging 7.2 RPG in that stretch, and even threw in a seven-assist effort among those contests. The Knicks give up the fourth-most points per game (115.0) and 11th-most rebounds per game (54.5), so Nance should keep trending up in this favorable matchup.
CENTER
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. BKN ($10,700): Embiid has voiced his displeasure with his decreased role since the 76ers brought Jimmy Butler into the fold, so he'll be extra-motivated to deliver a strong performance with Butler doubtful due to a groin injury. A Nets team that's 4-12 in its last 16 games, gives up more points than league average (110.6) and the seventh-most rebounds per game (55.1) is unlikely to present much resistance while Embiid operates as the focal point of Philadelphia's offense sans Butler.
