This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Wednesday's NBA slate begins at 7:00 PM Eastern time and features nine games. There's no shortage of options to choose from, but certain guys stand out as the top value plays at their respective prices. Read on to see who those players are. 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
Ricky Rubio, UTA at NY ($6,300): The biggest worry for Rubio here is the potential for the Jazz to pull away and limit their starters' playing time, but a Knicks team that's won three of its last five home games figures to put up a fight at MSG. Despite being mired in an 11-46 shooting slump over his past five games, Rubio has kept his value afloat with 7.6 APG and 1.6 steals per game. This could be a nice time to buy low on the Spaniard, as a matchup with the Knicks' 112.7 defensive rating (third-worst in the league) could be just what he needs to rediscover his shot.
Elfrid Payton, NO at ORL ($9,500): Payton comes into this one riding a five-game triple-double streak, and he'll be motivated to continue this historic run against the team that employed him from 2014 until midway through the 2017 campaign before giving up on him. With Jrue Holiday continuing to miss time to a strained abdomen and Anthony Davis playing a part-time role as the potential for an offseason trade looms over his head, Payton should continue to serve as the Pelicans' driving force in this one.
SHOOTING GUARD
Zach LaVine, CHI vs. WAS ($8,300): LaVine has missed two of his past 10 games, but he's made up for those absences with terrific production in the other eight. Over those eight contests, he's contributed 26.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 4.6 APG in 37 minutes per contest. Assuming a bruised thigh doesn't keep him out, LaVine should keep rolling against a Wizards team that usually finds itself in high-scoring games due to a combination of poor defense and fast pace. Washington is tied for fourth-worst in defensive rating at 112.4 and plays at the eighth-fastest pace (102.6).
Delon Wright, MEM vs. HOU ($5,200): Wright brings excellent upside relative to his price, having topped 35.0 fantasy points in three of his past games. While game-to-game consistency isn't his strength, the former Raptors guard is getting a chance to strut his stuff in Memphis with 28 minutes per game with his new club. Given his combination of ability and opportunity, Wright has a high ceiling in this matchup against a Rockets team that's playing its second game in as many nights.
SMALL FORWARD
Nikola Mirotic, MIL vs. CLE ($5,000): Mirotic stepped up big time Tuesday with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined by an ankle injury, showing off the skills that had lain dormant for most of his time with the Bucks en route to 23 points and six rebounds. There's little reason for Milwaukee to rush the Greek Freak back against a Cleveland team that the rest of the cast should be able to handle without issue. Mirotic is a tremendous play if Giannis sits, and at just $5,000, he's worth a look against Cleveland's league-worst, 116.2 defensive rating even if Antetokounmpo suits up.
Rodney Hood, POR vs. DAL ($4,700): Hood's averaging 13.7 PPG over the past three games, and his ability to get his own shot should lead to significantly more opportunities with CJ McCollum sidelined by a knee injury. While Jake Layman drew the start in the first game of McCollum's absence, he failed to score in 14 minutes, potentially opening the door for Hood to usurp more of those minutes moving forward.
POWER FORWARD
Kelly Olynyk, MIA at SA ($5,400): Olynyk has seen a massive boost in playing time recently, logging 33 minutes per game in his past three. The sharpshooting big man has made the most of the increased playing time with 10.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 3.0 RPG. His price hasn't caught up to his rise in usage, so keep deploying Olynyk with confidence until it does.
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. MIA ($8,700): Aldridge is cementing himself as San Antonio's alpha dog with the playoffs around the corner. He's contributed 46.5 or more fantasy points in half of his last 10 games, climbing as high as 62 against a Bucks team with the NBA's best record. Look for Aldridge to stay hot at home against a mediocre Heat team.
CENTER
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. NO ($10,500): Davis doesn't play fourth quarters and Julius Randle is as much a liability on defense as he is a beast offensively, so Vucevic is set to thrive in this home matchup with a Pelicans team that sports a 111.5 defensive rating (eighth-worst) and 103.9 pace (third-fastest). The double-double machine has failed to achieve that feat only once in the past 17 games, and Vucevic is an asset across the board with 20.7 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.0 steal and 1.1 blocks per game this season. If you can clear the cap space for him here, Vucevic can carry lineups.
