Wednesday features a massive 12-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
Cameron Payne isn’t exactly priced like a stud, but he has the potential for stud-like production. He’s taken over as the Suns’ top offensive option with Chris Paul and Devin Booker sidelined, and he has not disappointed in that role. He’s averaged 1.31 DraftKings points per minute since returning to the lineup four games ago, and he’s logged at least 32.4 minutes in back-to-back games. Unsurprisingly, he’s scored at least 39.5 DraftKings points in all three contests. Payne has a tough matchup Wednesday vs. the Heat, but he’s still too cheap across the industry.
Value
Davion Mitchell has struggled recently, posting a negative Plus/Minus in six of his past seven games on DraftKings. That’s caused his salary to dip to just $3,600, and he has some buy-low appeal at that price tag. He’s coming off 29.6 minutes in his last outing, and he’s currently projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.61 (per the Trends tool).
Fast Break
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to feast with Lu Dort and Josh Giddey out of the lineup. He’s scored at least 49.25 DraftKings points in six straight games, and he’s eclipsed 60 fantasy points in four of them. He has massive upside if the Thunder can avoid getting blown out by the Timberwolves.
Kevin Porter Jr. has played very well since returning to the Rockets’ lineup four games ago. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three of those contests, and he’s scored at least 37.9 FanDuel points in two of them. He has plenty of appeal on FanDuel, where his $5,800 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 89%.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Shooting guard is typically one of the weakest positions from a stud perspective, and Wednesday is no exception. That said, C.J. McCollum could be worth some consideration if Brandon Ingram is out again. His status for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Magic is currently unknown, but there’s at least a chance he doesn’t suit up after missing Tuesday’s loss vs. the Grizzlies.
McCollum would be arguably the biggest beneficiary if Ingram is ruled out. He’s seen a team-high +4.6% usage bump with Ingram off the floor during his tenure with the Pelicans, resulting in an average of 1.47 DraftKings points per minute. He was excellent without Ingram on Tuesday, racking up 58.5 DraftKings points in just 31.5 minutes. The Magic also represent a strong matchup, ranking merely 20th in defensive efficiency.
Value
Jordan Clarkson has had a bit of a disappointing year after winning the 6th Man Award last season, but he’s played some of his best basketball of late. He’s increased his production to 1.01 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s scored at least 24.75 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. He’ll have the opportunity to build on those performances vs. the Blazers. They’ve been one of the best matchups in fantasy this season, ranking 28th in defensive efficiency, and the Jazz are currently implied for 120.0 points.
Fast Break
It doesn’t get much more boring than using Aaron Wiggins in DFS. He’s averaged just 0.65 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s posted a usage rate of just 13.6%. Still, he’s racked up at least 30.3 minutes in back-to-back games, which is a ton of playing time for someone who costs just $3,400.
Anthony Edwards is questionable for the Timberwolves, but he would be worth some consideration on FanDuel if he’s able to suit up. He’s been priced down to $6,300, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 98%, and he hasn’t been priced below $6,700 in any game this season. He’s averaged 40.42 FanDuel points in nine games with a salary of $7,500 or less, resulting in an average Plus/Minus of +9.39.
Small Forward
Stud
The Lakers are in rough shape at the moment, but LeBron James is doing everything in his power to will this team to the playoffs. He missed their most recent contest, but he willed them to a victory over the Warriors two games ago. James finished with 56 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, resulting in 77.5 DraftKings points.
LeBron is going to have to continue to carry a massive workload with Anthony Davis sidelined and the rest of the team struggling. He’s increased his production to 1.54 DraftKings points per minute in 24 games without Davis this season, and he draws the best possible matchup Wednesday vs. the Rockets. They rank third in pace and dead last in defensive efficiency, and the Lakers’ implied team total of 119.25 represents a massive increase from their season average of 110.6. James is currently questionable, but he has elite upside if he’s able to suit up.
Value
The Clippers were without Robert Covington on Tuesday for personal reasons, and his status for Wednesday’s contest vs. the Wizards is still to be determined. If he’s out again, Amir Coffey would become a strong value option at just $3,900 on DraftKings. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games, and he’s racked up at least 29.7 minutes in each of his past two. Coffey isn’t great on a per-minute basis – he’s averaged 0.75 DraftKings points per minute this season – but he can definitely pay off his current salary with around 30 minutes of playing time.
Fast Break
Harrison Barnes has played a ton of minutes for the Kings recently, logging at least 37.8 in each of his past three games. He should be busy again on Wednesday with Domantas Sabonis suspended, and he should see a slight usage bump as well. He’s underpriced across the industry.
Miles Bridges leads the position with 12 Pro Trends on FanDuel, where his $6,700 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 95%. Bridges was priced as high as $8,000 just last week, so this is a nice opportunity to buy low on him.
Power Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still one of the best in the business for DFS. He’s been great this season, averaging 1.78 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s increased that figure to 1.84 over the past month. He put his dominance on full display on Tuesday, racking up 39 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one block in just 27.8 minutes of playing time.
The Bucks are on the second leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday, but they’re in a juicy spot vs. the Hawks. They’ve struggled defensively all season, and the Bucks are currently implied for 122.25 points. That’s the second-highest mark on the slate, and Giannis has averaged 63.39 DraftKings points in nine games with an implied team total of at least 120 points this season.
Value
Marvin Bagley will live in infamy as this generation’s Sam Bowie. He’ll forever be known as the guy drafted ahead of Luka Doncic and Trae Young, the same way Bowie is known for being drafted ahead of Michael Jordan.
Bagley’s career in Sacramento was a massive disappointment, but he has found new life with the Pistons. He’s coming off an excellent performance in his last outing, finishing with 40.5 DraftKings points over 36.3 minutes, and he’s increased his production to 1.01 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s currently projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s underpriced if he’s going to see that much playing time. His $5,000 salary on DraftKings comes with a Bargain Rating of 83%.
Fast Break
Chris Boucher’s playing time has been extremely volatile all year. He’s coming off 36 minutes in his last outing, but he played less than 20 two games ago. Still, Boucher has averaged 0.99 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he has upside at $4,900 if he hits his minute’s ceiling.
Drew Eubanks has PF eligibility on FanDuel, which is where he’s most appealing on Wednesday. He’s coming off a poor performance in his last outing, but he still saw 28.5 minutes. Eubanks has averaged 0.99 FanDuel points per minute this season, so he should bounce back with a similar workload vs. the Jazz.
Center
Stud
The Timberwolves are going to be the most important team to monitor on Wednesday. They have a massive injury report, and Edwards and D’Angelo Russell are both listed as questionable. Edwards has missed the Timberwolves’ past four games, while Russell missed their most recent contest.
Karl-Anthony Towns has had a quiet season, but he has been fantastic in games without his star teammates. He’s seen a +3.2% usage bump in seven games without Edwards this season, resulting in an average of 1.64 DraftKings points per minute. In his only game without Edwards and Russell, Towns increased his usage rate by +7.3% and averaged an absurd 2.08 DraftKings points per minute.
Towns can do some serious damage if both players are ruled out vs. the Thunder. The Timberwolves lead the slate with an implied team total of 123.5 points, and the Thunder have played at the fourth-fastest pace over their past 10 games. They also rank just 27th in defensive efficiency over that time frame.
Value
Willy Hernangomez has been an excellent fantasy producer when given the chance to play this season. He’s averaged 1.25 DraftKings points per minute, but finding consistent minutes behind Jonas Valanciunas has been tough. However, Hernangomez has logged at least 22.5 minutes in each of his past three games, and he’s scored at least 26.5 DraftKings points in all three contests. He’s expected to see a similar workload on Wednesday, making him an appealing option on DraftKings given his Bargain Rating of 96%.
Fast Break
Nikola Jokic is always in play, and Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Kings is a good one. They rank just 29th in defensive efficiency, and they have no one who can stop Jokic on the interior with Sabonis suspended and Richaun Holmes out for personal reasons. Jokic has racked up back-to-back triple-doubles and possesses arguably the highest ceiling on the slate.
Nikola Vucevic missed the Bulls’ last outing, but he’s worth consideration on FanDuel if he can suit up vs. the Pistons. His $7,700 price tag comes with a Bargain Rating of 94%, and the matchup results in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +1.49. He should also command reduced ownership at a loaded position.
