Wednesday features a 13-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
Point Guard
Stud
Wednesday features a massive 13-game slate, so there are going to be plenty of options to choose from at each position. Luka Doncic stands out as my favorite stud at point guard, particularly on FanDuel given his Bargain Rating of 98%. He’s priced at just $9,900, and Doncic has historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.46 with a comparable price tag (per the Trends tool). That includes a Plus/Minus of +4.63 with a comparable salary so far this season.
Doncic has also been playing better of late. He’s increased his production to 1.47 FanDuel points per minute over the past month, and he should be able to continue that success vs. the Grizzlies. They rank just 25th in defensive efficiency.
Note: Doncic is currently listed as questionable. Be sure to monitor the news.
Value
The Blazers are going to have a ton of minutes and shot attempts available in the backcourt on Wednesday. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are both out of the lineup, leaving the team without their two highest-usage players.
Anfernee Simons is currently questionable, but he should be the team’s starting point guard if he’s healthy enough to suit up. He racked up at least 29.0 DraftKings points in three straight games before getting injured.
If Simons is out, Dennis Smith Jr. becomes the clear value option to target in Portland. He’s averaged 0.96 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he’s capable of taking advantage of a large minute count.
Fast Break
Kyle Lowry is another player who should benefit from his team’s injury situation. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are out of the lineup, and Lowry has scored at least 35.8 FanDuel points in two of his past three games. He’s priced at just $6,500 on FanDuel, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 92%, and his matchup vs. the Bucks results in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +1.99.
Tyus Jones should continue to garner interest for the Grizzlies. He’s averaged 0.96 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s currently projected for 32 minutes in our NBA Models.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Tyler Herro is another potential beneficiary for the Heat. He should move into the starting lineup in place of Butler, and he carries big upside in that role. He hasn’t displayed that upside recently, but he’s posted a usage rate of at least 32.6% in three of his past four games. Herro simply hasn’t shot the ball well recently, so he’s a nice positive regression candidate.
Value
Ayo Dosunmu stands out as an elite source of value at just $3,900 on DraftKings. The Bulls are quietly dealing with a bunch of absences at the moment, with DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Coby White, and Javonte Green all expected to sit out on Wednesday. Dosunmu logged more than 41.8 minutes with all four players out of the lineup on Monday, and he responded with 31.5 DraftKings points. He’s currently projected for 37 minutes in our NBA Models, and that’s a ton of playing time for someone who costs just $3,900. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.61 on DraftKings.
Fast Break
If you’re looking to go with a more expensive option for the Bulls, Zach LaVine deserves some stud consideration. LaVine has increased production to 1.23 DraftKings points per minute with DeRozan off the court this season, and he racked up 49.75 DraftKings points in his first full game without DeRozan.
Caris LeVert has started to turn things on for the Pacers. He got off to a slow start this season, but he’s scored at least 33.0 FanDuel points in back-to-back games. The Pacers are still playing without T.J. McConnell and Justin Holiday, so LeVert should carry a larger workload than usual.
Small Forward
Stud
Can I interest you in another shorthanded roster? The Timberwolves have already ruled out D’Angelo Russell for Wednesday’s contest, and Karl-Anthony Towns is also questionable. If Towns is also unavailable, Anthony Edwards would be asked to carry a monster workload. He’s posted a usage rate of 39.8% in that situation, and he’s averaged 1.51 DraftKings points per minute. Edwards should still warrant consideration even with just Russell inactive, but he becomes one of the top plays of the day if Towns is out too.
Value
Norman Powell should also be asked to take on a larger workload for the Blazers. He’s increased his usage rate to greater than 31% with Lillard and McCollum off the court this season, and he’s someone who has historically thrived in a high-usage role. The Blazers haven’t really needed him to serve as a primary scoring option this season, but he proved that he can handle it during his time with the Raptors. He’s too cheap at $4,800 on DraftKings.
Fast Break
I’m going to continue to ride the Dillon Brooks train for the shorthanded Grizzlies. Brooks has never met a shot that he didn’t like, and he’s posted an average usage rate of 31.6% over his past seven games. He hasn’t played a ton of minutes over that time frame – which has kept his fantasy scoring reasonable – but he’s coming off 34.8 minutes in his last contest. If he can combine an increased minute count with his typical high usage, he could be looking at a big performance.
The Clippers’ roster doesn’t stand out as an obvious target like some of the other shorthanded rosters on Wednesday, but Paul George is simply too cheap at $8,900 on FanDuel. It results in a Bargain Rating of 98%, and his 10 Pro Trends are tied for the most at the position.
Power Forward
Stud
It’s hard to consider paying up for Kevin Durant when Giannis Antetokounmpo is only slightly more expensive, but it could be the correct decision on Wednesday. Durant benefits from one of the best possible matchups vs. the Rockets, who have played at the fastest pace in the league this season. Durant is obviously an elite offensive player, so he should benefit from a pace-up scenario. The Nets are currently implied for 116.75 points, which is the top mark on the slate.
Editor’s note: Kevin Durant (rest) has been ruled out. Check the Player Models for an update.
Value
Oshae Brissett has spent most of the season out of the Pacers’ rotation, but their injury situation has forced him into the lineup. That’s a good thing for fantasy players. Brissett is a capable fantasy scorer when given the opportunity, and he responded with 26.5 DraftKings points over 28.8 minutes in their last game. Brissett is currently projected for 24 minutes in our NBA Models, and he should be able to pay off his $3,000 salary on DraftKings with that much playing time.
Fast Break
Evan Mobley has been priced as high as $7,400 on DraftKings this season, but he’s down to just $6,400 on Wednesday’s slate. He continues to put up strong fantasy numbers – he’s averaged 1.00 DraftKings points per minute over the past month – and he’s seen at least 36 minutes in two of his past three games. He’s an excellent buy-low target.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is a high-risk, high-reward option at power forward. He has a tendency to get into foul trouble, but he’s extremely productive on a per-minute basis when he can stay on the floor. He’s averaged 1.20 FanDuel points per minute over the past month, and his $6,300 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 92%.
Center
Stud
Joel Embiid is back. He’s been relatively quiet to start the season, battling both injuries and COVID-19, but he’s started to turn things around. He’s scored at least 55.5 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he went off for 74.75 DraftKings points in his last outing. Overall, he’s increased his production to 1.65 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
He should keep the good times rolling Wednesday in an excellent matchup vs. the Hornets. They’ve played at the second-fastest pace this season, and they’re undersized with Mason Plumlee currently out of the lineup. Embiid owns an Opponent Plus/Minus of +3.71 on DraftKings, and the Hornets are the same opponent that he torched in his last game.
Value
Precious Achiuwa also owns a great matchup. He’s taking on the Thunder, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +3.14 on DraftKings, and Achiuwa is underpriced across the industry. His production has declined recently, but he’s averaged 0.85 DraftKings points per minute this season. He also continues to play at least 30 minutes per night, and he’s coming off 33.0 DraftKings points in his last outing.
Fast Break
Richaun Holmes is coming off a down performance in his last game, but he’s been a strong value on DraftKings basically all year. He’s averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s logged at least 32.8 minutes in two of his past three games. He’s a strong bounce-back target.
Mo Bamba fits a very similar profile to Holmes on Wednesday. He’s slightly cheaper at $6,200, and he’s averaged 1.08 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He was ineffective in his last game vs. the Warriors, but his matchup vs. the Kings on Wednesday is a much better fit for his skillset.
