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
Today’s slate is absolutely loaded. All but four teams are in action, so there are going to be plenty of options to choose from at each position.
Ja Morant stands out as one of the top point guards. The Grizzlies are going to be without three key contributors, with Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, and Kyle Anderson all currently out of the lineup. Morant has increased his usage rate by +6.0% with all three players off the court this season, which gives him some additional upside. Overall, he’s averaged a stout 1.47 DraftKings points per minute in that situation.
Value
Sticking with the Grizzlies, De’Anthony Melton is another player who should be asked to pick up the slack. Melton is a capable fantasy producer when given the opportunity to play – he’s averaged 1.08 DraftKings points per minute over the past month – and he’s currently projected for 32 minutes in our NBA Models. That’s an elite combination for someone who costs just $3,700 on DraftKings. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.37 (per the Trends tool).
Fast Break
Trae Young is another option worth considering on DraftKings. His price has come down significantly over the past month. He was priced as high as $11,500 during that time frame, but he checks in at just $9,800 for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Timberwolves. Young has also increased his production to 1.41 DraftKings points per minute with Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic off the court, and he racked up nearly 39.7 minutes in his last outing.
The Jazz might be the strongest team to target on Wednesday’s slate. They have an absolutely elite matchup vs. the Rockets. They rank first in pace and dead last in defensive efficiency, and the Jazz’s implied team total of 122.5 points is the top mark of the day.
The Jazz will also be without Donovan Mitchell, and Mike Conley is someone who should take on a larger role in his absence. He’s increased his production to 1.03 FanDuel points per minute in three games without Mitchell, so he’s underpriced across the industry.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Jordan Clarkson isn’t priced like a stud, but he should provide stud-like production on Wednesday’s slate. He’s arguably the biggest beneficiary on the Jazz whenever Mitchell is out of the lineup. He’s increased his usage rate by +4.8% in games without Mitchell this season, and he’s averaged 38.08 DraftKings points in those contests. He should be able to do some serious damage in an expanded role vs. the Rockets.
Value
Kevin Huerter could be a bit overlooked on Wednesday. The value options for the Jazz and Grizzlies should get most of the ownership at shooting guard, but Huerter is arguably in just as good of a spot. He’s increased his production to 0.84 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s coming off 36.5 minutes in his last outing. The Hawks’ implied team total of 118.5 also ranks second on the slate.
Fast Break
Cade Cunningham continues to stand out as an elite value on FanDuel. He’s been limited to 27.6 minutes or fewer in back-to-back games, but the Pistons were walloped by the Suns and Warriors in those contests. If they can keep Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Kings more competitive, Cunningham has elite upside. The Kings rank 27th in defensive efficiency, so Cunningham could exceed his season average of 1.00 FanDuel points per minute.
The Bulls are still playing without Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball, so DeMar DeRozan should carry a higher usage rate than usual. He’s seen a +9.2% usage bump with both players off the court this season, resulting in an average of 1.26 FanDuel points per minute. He’s a very reasonable target at $8,500 on FanDuel given his Bargain Rating of 92%.
Small Forward
Stud
LeBron James’ price tag got a bit out of control recently, but he’s priced a bit more favorably on Wednesday’s slate. He’s still expensive – he’s priced at $11,300 on DraftKings and $11,000 on FanDuel – but that’s a salary that he can pay off. He’s increased his production to 1.66 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s scored at least 54.75 DraftKings points in nine of his past 12 games. LeBron is also in a solid spot vs. the Pacers, who rank merely 22nd in defensive efficiency.
Value
Joe Ingles is the leading candidate to replace Mitchell in the starting lineup. He hasn’t been quite as good this season on a per-minute basis, averaging 0.73 DraftKings points per minute, but he should see a nice uptick in playing time. He’s currently projected for 31 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s dirt cheap at just $3,700 on DraftKings. Ingles has historically averaged 25.29 DraftKings points with a comparable minute projection and salary, good for an average Plus/Minus of +8.38.
Fast Break
De’Andre Hunter is another potential option for the Hawks. He’s played in their past four games following an extended injury absence, and his playing time has trended upwards over that time frame. He’s coming off nearly 35 minutes in his last outing, and he’s averaged 0.82 DraftKings points per minute since returning to the lineup. Hunter is underpriced on DraftKings, where his $4,200 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 85%.
Terance Davis has been extremely productive when on the court this season, and he’s averaged a stout 1.17 FanDuel points per minute over the past month. The only problem has been inconsistent playing time. However, that’s not an issue with Tyrese Haliburton out of the lineup, and Davis racked up 42.7 FanDuel points over 37.5 minutes in his last outing. He’s one of the best plays of the day on FanDuel at just $4,400.
Power Forward
Stud
Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of the toughest players to predict on a night-to-night basis. His upside is sky-high, but he often struggles to stay on the court due to foul trouble. That gives him a wide range of outcomes.
Still, I’m willing to ride the rollercoaster with JJJ on Wednesday. He’s been insanely good this season with Bane, Brooks, and Anderson off the court. He’s increased his usage rate by +4.2%, resulting in an average of 1.48 DraftKings points per minute. Jackson also shouldn’t command as much ownership as some of the Grizzlies’ guards, making him an excellent pivot for tournaments.
Value
Devin Vassell has had a nice sophomore season for the Spurs, averaging 0.87 DraftKings points per minute. His playing time has varied throughout the year, but he’s racked up at least 27.5 minutes in three straight games. He’s projected for a similar workload Wednesday vs. the Thunder, making him a viable option at just $4,300 on DraftKings.
Fast Break
Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing basketball on Wednesday, which is enough to put him on the fantasy radar. The Greek Freak has averaged 1.73 FanDuel points per minute over the past month, and he owns the top ceiling projection on FanDuel in our NBA Models. He’s also underpriced on FanDuel, where his $11,300 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 92%.
Al Horford recently saw a stark reduction in playing time for the Celtics, but his minutes are trending back in the right direction. He’s played at least 25.4 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s currently projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models. Horford has averaged 1.04 FanDuel points per minute this season, so that’s more than enough playing time to potentially pay off his $5,100 salary.
Center
Stud
There are plenty of stud options to consider at center, but I like the idea of paying down a bit for Rudy Gobert. In addition to the Rockets’ myriad of other problems this season, they’ve also been mediocre on the glass, ranking just 20th in team rebound rate. Gobert is one of the best rebounders in the league, so he should be able to have his way with them in this matchup.
Value
LaMarcus Aldridge returned to the Nets’ lineup in their last contest, and he finished with 24.75 DraftKings points over 22.5 minutes. He should see a few additional minutes on Wednesday, and Aldridge should also benefit from the absence of Kevin Durant. He’s increased his usage rate by +6.3% with Durant off the court this season, resulting in an average of 1.22 DraftKings points per minute. Aldridge has also seen a sizable price reduction over the past month, so he stands out as an elite value vs. the Wizards.
Fast Break
Nikola Jokic torched the Jazz in his last matchup, finishing with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 14 assists over 36.7 minutes. He remains the most dominant fantasy player in the league, so there’s no reason he can’t repeat that production Wednesday vs. the Clippers. He’s best utilized on FanDuel, where his $11,500 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 95%.
Bobby Portis has posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six games on FanDuel, yet his salary has remained steady at $6,300 on FanDuel. That’s simply too cheap for Portis with Brook Lopez out of the lineup. It results in a Bargain Rating of 92%, and Portis has averaged a Plus/Minus of +6.07 with a comparable salary this season.
