Wednesday features an eight-game main slate starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
Stud
Damian Lillard missed a few games with an injury recently, but he returned for the team’s last outing. He ultimately finished with 38.5 DraftKings points across 35.6 minutes, racking up a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists.
That wasn’t good enough to pay off his price tag, but there are reasons to believe in improvement for Lillard on Wednesday. Lillard has averaged 1.24 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he should be better than he was in his last game just by default.
He also draws an elite matchup vs. the Bulls. They’ve been one of the friendliest matchups in fantasy this season, ranking first in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. The Bucks’ 122.5 implied team total is the second-highest on the slate, and it represents a tremendous increase from their season average of 110.5. Lillard also has an Opponent Plus/Minus of +3.47, while his 10 Pro Trends are tied for the top mark at the position.
Value
Kevin Porter Jr. has had a wild career. He’s been a nightmare both on and off the court at times, and after spending last year playing overseas, he’s back with the Clippers in 2024-25. Porter hasn’t gotten a ton of opportunities so far this season, but he’s been productive when on the floor, averaging 1.01 DraftKings points per minute.
KPJ has the chance to play a bit more than usual on Wednesday. The team is dealing with a couple of different injuries, and leading scorer Norman Powell has already been ruled out. Porter is currently projected for 23 minutes in our NBA Models, which is enough to make him a value at $4,200.
Fast Break
Fred VanVleet continues to put up big numbers for the Rockets. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five straight games, and he’s scored at least 46.5 DraftKings points in three straight. He remains underpriced at $7,100, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 80%.
While the Bucks have an elite matchup vs. the Bulls, the inverse is also true. Coby White leads all point guards with a +6.72 Opponent Plus/Minus, and he’s averaged 1.08 DraftKings points per minute for the year. He’s scored at least 36.5 DraftKings points in five of his past seven games, and he has eligibility at both guard spots.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Zach LaVine has had an up-and-down season for the Bulls, but he remains a very capable scorer. He provides volume and efficiency at a rate that few can match, averaging more than 21 points per game while shooting better than 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.
On nights when LaVine gets hot, he has an elite ceiling for his price tag. He racked up 56.75 DraftKings points vs. the Knicks last week, and he’s scored at least 38.0 DraftKings points in three of his past five games.
LaVine might not be the same consistent threat he was in years past, but he’s still averaged a +2.00 Plus/Minus with a comparable salary as a member of the Bulls (per the Trends tool). In a plus matchup, there’s merit in targeting him at $7,100.
Value
The Warriors currently have the best record in the Western Conference, but they’re doing it with an unusual cast of characters. That includes Lindy Waters. Waters played a season-high 28.5 minutes in the team’s last outing, and with De’Anthony Melton out and Kyle Anderson questionable, he’s looking at another expanded workload on Wednesday. He’s projected for 26 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged 0.81 DraftKings points per minute for the year.
The Warriors are also expected to put up a big number vs. the Hawks. They have the top implied team total on the slate, and the Hawks rank third in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency for the year. Waters stands out as a nice source of value at just $3,800.
Fast Break
Ayo Dosunmu is another potential target for the Bulls. He’s averaged 0.85 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and his minutes are trending in the right direction. He’s projected for 30 minutes vs. the Bucks, making him underpriced at $5,100.
Jalen Green has had a quiet start for the Rockets, but he’s coming off his best game of the season in his last outing. He finished with 35.25 DraftKings points in 29.4 minutes, and there could be more big performances coming. He’s shot just 39.3% from the field this season, and while Green has never been super efficient, he appears due for a bit of positive regression in that department. That could come vs. the Pacers, who are just 23rd in defensive efficiency.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code LABS1 for a $100 deposit match.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Franz Wagner’s salary continues to rise, and he’s all the way up to $9,000 for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Clippers. That might cause a bit of sticker shock, but Wagner has been worth every penny of late. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six of his past seven games, and he’s scored at least 51.75 DraftKings points in three of his past four.
Since losing Paolo Banchero, Wagner has taken over as the team’s clear No. 1 option offensively. He’s increased his usage, assist, and rebound rates with Banchero off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.33 DraftKings points per minute.
Wagner may be a bit overpriced for his most likely outcome, but he still has the highest ceiling projection at the position.
Value
The Pelicans’ injury situation keeps getting uglier by the day. In addition to all the injuries they’ve already been dealing with, the team is going to be without Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, and Jaylen Nowell on Wednesday. That leaves the team without nine rotation players, including arguably their eight best options.
With that in mind, the Pelicans are going to provide significant DFS value on this slate. Their remaining guys are going to have to play huge minutes, and there’s going to be significant usage available as well.
Jamal Cain stands out as one of their best pure values. He’s priced at just $3,800, and he’s currently projected for 32 minutes in our NBA Models. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.23. Cain has averaged 0.89 DraftKings points per minute with Ingram, Zion Williamson, C.J. McCollum, and Dejounte Murray off the floor this season, so he should provide immense value on this slate.
Fast Break
Tari Eason continues to do Tari Eason things for the Rockets. When he’s on the floor, he averages an elite 1.20 DraftKings points per minute. He’s not a lock to play big minutes on a nightly basis, but he did get to 30 in his last outing. He responded with more than 40 DraftKings points, giving him an excellent ceiling at a $5,600 price tag.
Lu Dort continues to stand out as underpriced at $5,200. He’s seen a significant boost in value since the team lost Chet Holmgren to an injury. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six straight games, and he’s scored at least 30.0 DraftKings points in three straight. Dort is playing more consistent minutes, and he’s increased his production to 0.97 DraftKings points per minute with Holmgren off the floor.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
With the Pelicans opening up a bunch of value, getting up to Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes a lot easier on Wednesday. He’s priced at $11,500, but he still stands out as an elite option. He leads the PF position in projected Plus/Minus, and his ceiling projection clears the entire field by nearly 15 points.
Antetokounmpo has averaged 1.69 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s turned in some monster performances. He had 97.5 DraftKings points vs. the Pistons last Wednesday, and he followed that up with a triple-double in his next outing.
His stock did take a bit of a hit with Lillard returning to the lineup on Monday, but there should be enough points to go around vs. the Bulls. On a slate without a lot of true DFS superstars, Giannis should be one of the highest-owned options of the day.
Value
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green are two other potential targets for the shorthanded Pelicans. Neither player has been particularly productive this season – JRE has averaged 0.76 DraftKings points per minute, Green 0.69 – but both players are projected for 35 minutes Wednesday vs. the Cavaliers.
Fast Break
Robert Williams is being eased back into action for the Blazers, but he’s played well in his limited action this season. He’s played around 25 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s responded with 29.5 and 46.25 DraftKings points. Overall, he’s averaged 1.44 DraftKings points per minute for the year, giving him plenty of upside at $4,400.
Jonathan Isaac has spent most of his career out with injuries, so the Magic are unsurprisingly being careful with him. However, he has seen a bit more burn recently. He’s logged at least 19.5 minutes in three straight games, and that’s enough to make him viable. He’s always racked up fantasy points when on the floor, and he’s averaged 1.06 DraftKings points per minute so far this season.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Alperen Sengun is heating up for the Rockets. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six games, and he’s scored at least 56.0 DraftKings points in three of them. The lone exception was his last outing, but he still played a ton in that contest. Minutes have been the big issue for Sengun all season; when he’s on the floor, he’s one of the best per-minute producers in all of fantasy.
Ultimately, $8,000 is simply too cheap for a player of his caliber, especially in a matchup vs. the Pacers. The Rockets’ 119.25 implied team total ranks third on the slate, so Sengun is in a phenomenal spot.
Value
While the Pelicans are the most clear-cut source of value on this slate, don’t sleep on Jalen Smith for the Bulls. He’s averaged an outstanding 1.19 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s projected for 23 minutes on Wednesday’s slate. The Bulls are going to be without Patrick Williams and Lonzo Ball, which opens up a few additional minutes for the rest of the roster.
Fast Break
Trey Jemison and Yves Missi are the value options to consider for the Pelicans at center. Missi has seen the bulk of the minutes there recently, but Jemison is the superior per-minute producer. Both guys are in play.
Jalen Williams continues to quietly rack up production for the Thunder. He’s coming off 59.5 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past five outings. He’s only eligible at center currently, but he’s putting up big numbers regardless of where the Thunder deploy him.
