The NBA is ready to fill up this Wednesday night with a dozen games on the schedule, and 10 of those contests are on the DraftKings main DFS fantasy basketball slate that tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET. Of the 20 teams on the slate, the Warriors, Lakers, and Thunder are playing for the second day in a row, while the Hawks are the only team on the front half of their back-to-back.
As usual at this point in the season, several key injury situations will go a long way to determining value on Wednesday’s slate. Be sure to check back for availability updates throughout the day and refresh the NBA Models for the latest adjustments leading up to tip-off.
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.
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.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
The Hawks have a back-to-back set on Wednesday and Thursday and listed Dejounte Murray as questionable due to a lower back issue. However, Murray has been playing so well over the last few weeks and is in such a good matchup that he’s too good to overlook in this juicy matchup with the Trail Blazers. Murray has the highest median and ceiling projection of all point guards on the slate and the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position as well.
With Trae Young (finger) sidelined, Murray has been carrying Atlanta’s offense. Since Yong’s injury, Murray has posted a 29.4% usage rate and 40.2% assist rate in his last 16 games. He has produced 1.41 DraftKings points per minute in 36.7 minutes per game and helped the Hawks hold on to the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in six of his last nine games and has five straight double-doubles.
Murray and the Hawks have the fifth-highest implied team total on Wednesday’s slate as they host the Trail Blazers, who have been very short-handed due to multiple injuries lately and have been giving their younger players plenty of playing time, making them a great matchup for opposing point guards.
Value
The Grizzlies do have Desmond Bane back, which helps them stay more competitive, but they’ll likely be without Vince Williams Jr. (foot) and John Konchar (heel), who are both doubtful, while Luke Kennard (personal), Ziaire Williams (hip), Derrick Rose (groin) and Marcus Smart (finger) all remain sidelined. As a result, Scotty Pipen Jr. will likely get another start next to Bane with a chance to be a great value in a revenge game narrative against the Lakers.
Pippen has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards on Wednesday and the highest of all point guards with salaries under $8,000. Pippen has only played three games since mid-February due to injuries to his back and shin, but he has been productive when available. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last eight games overall, with double-digit points in six of those games. In those eight contests, he produced 1.12 DraftKings points per minute in 26.4 minutes per game.
On Monday, he started alongside Bane and played 26 minutes in a 25-point loss to the Nuggets, finishing with 17 points and four assists. Since he seems to have a clear path to playing time right now, he should be a great value option at point guard that helps you save salary to spend in other spots.
Fast Break
The Pacers have the highest implied team total on the slate in what should be a high-scoring matchup with the Bulls. Tyrese Haliburton has scored 20+ points in three of his last four games and seems to be finding his rhythm again from long range. After struggling from distance after his injuries, he has made 12-of-23 three-point attempts in his last three contests. If his shot is dropping, he brings an immensely high ceiling at the helm of one of the most up-tempo offenses in the NBA. He has the third-highest ceiling projection at point guard on Wednesday’s slate.
The Trail Blazers have let Scoot Henderson run the show lately, and the rookie has performed well overall. He has the fifth-highest Projected Plus/Minus on Wednesday’s slate in his matchup with Murray. He showed his ceiling with a 24-point, 10-assist double-double against the Clippers last Friday and has scored 15+ points in four straight while averaging 1.16 DraftKings points per minute. With Anfernee Simons (knee) set to miss a third straight game, Henderson is a great mid-range play to target.
If you are looking for an ultra-cheap point guard, Cole Anthony of the Magic is worth checking out. He has scored double-digit points in three straight games and four of his last five, producing 1.08 DraftKings points per minute while playing 23.4 minutes per contest. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards on this slate.
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
The Rockets’ recent roll faces a tough test on Wednesday night as they visit the Thunder. Nine straight wins have blasted Houston just one game back of the Warriors for the final spot in the Play-In Tournament, and much of their recent success is due to the emergence of Jalen Green as a go-to option on a nightly basis. Green has the second-highest ceiling, median and floor projection at shooting guard on Wednesday’s slate in this huge matchup.
Green has exceeded salary-based expectations in six of the nine games during the Rockets’ streak, and he has averaged 1.25 DraftKings points per minute by producing 29.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 36.1 minutes per game. He has a team-high 29.7% usage rate during the team’s run and should continue to carry the load as they try to make it 10 straight in OKC.
He isn’t as much of a value play as he was at the start of this streak since his salary has climbed to almost $9,000, but Green’s consistent production still makes him a strong guard option to build around.
Value
The Raptors have been extremely short-handed and will still be without Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett for Wednesday’s matchup with the Knicks. Both are practicing and should return soon, but Javon Freeman-Liberty should get at least one more game in his expanded role. The G League star has been solid for Toronto and remains a good value at barely over $4,000. He has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard on the entire slate and the second-highest of the options under $6,000 behind only Cole Anthony (discussed above).
Freeman-Liberty has exceeded salary-based expectations in three straight games, logging 23+ minutes in each of those contests. He averaged 0.75 DraftKings points per minute in 27 minutes per game. He has a projection of almost 30 minutes again on Wednesday and is a great bargain play with good multi-category potential at home against New York.
Fast Break
Anthony Edwards has the top ceiling, median and floor projection at shooting guard as the Timberwolves host the Pistons. He is officially questionable with his finger injury but has been playing effectively through it. Over his last seven games, Ant produced an elite 1.43 DraftKings points per minute in 37 minutes a game with a 32.2% usage rate. As long as he’s a full go, he’ll have a sky-high ceiling against Detroit.
Over the last two games for the Knicks, Donte DiVincenzo has caught fire again. He had 31 points against the Nets last Saturday and then dropped 40 against the Pistons on Monday. The sharpshooter can be boom or bust but offers a high upside against the Raptors. He has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards and the highest of all small forwards on Wednesday’s slate. Miles McBride is also a good option from the Knicks since he’s playing all the minutes.
Anthony and Freeman-Liberty are the top two bargain plays on Wednesday, but you can also consider Kyle Lowry of the 76ers and Vit Krejci of the Hawks, who have been playing bigger roles lately for their teams. Krejci and Bogdan Bogdanovic would both be great plays if the Hawks end up sitting Murray.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Pacers appear to be coming together just in time for a playoff push. Pascal Siakam has been excellent lately for Indiana and is in a great matchup against the Bulls in the game with the highest Over/Under on the slate. Siakam has the third-highest median, ceiling, and floor projection of all small forwards on the slate and the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus.
Siakam has exceeded salary-based expectations in six of his last eight games and has scored 25 points in each of his last four. He only played 31 minutes on Monday against the Clippers, but he had 31 points and four rebounds. He has been doing much better work than that on the glass lately, though, with at least eight rebounds in seven straight before that contest, including four double-doubles.
In his last eight, Spicy P has brought the fire, averaging 1.48 DraftKings points per minute in 31.4 minutes per game and a team-high 30.1% usage rate.
Value
The Hawks were forced by multiple injuries to give De’Andre Hunter more work, and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft has finally started to deliver on that pedigree with some strong performances. He has scored 20+ points in four of his last six games while averaging a solid 0.96 DraftKings points per minute. He played 27+ minutes in each of his three games since stepping into the starting five.
Hunter has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards with salaries under $6,000 on Wednesday’s slate in a favorable spot against the Trail Blazers, and he could get even more usage if the Hawks play it safe with Dejounte Murray. With Murray off the floor over the last month, Hunter has a team-high 27.9% usage rate over the last month while producing 0.88 DraftKings points per minute.
Fast Break
Franz Wagner’s salary has dipped all the way to $6,400. He has still scored 18+ points in four of his last five games and double-digit points in nine straight games. While he hasn’t been quite as dominant as he was earlier in the season, this seems like an over-correction, making him a good value to consider as Orlando hosts Golden State on Wednesday.
As a midrange value play, Alex Caruso continues to do a little bit of everything for the Bulls and be a very consistent contributor. He has scored double-digit points in six of his last seven games, averaging 0.97 DraftKings points per minute in 33.3 minutes per game.
With Cam Johnson (toe) out for a second straight game and Cam Thomas (back) questionable, the Nets may once again give expanded playing time to Jalen Wilson. Wilson had 12 points and five boards in 30 minutes on Monday against the Raptors in his second start of the season. If he gets another look, he’ll be a great value at just $3,400.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
In the absence of LeBron James, Anthony Davis posted a massive game in Tuesday night’s double-overtime thriller in Milwaukee. Davis finished with 34 points and 23 boards but did play a massive 52 minutes. Davis has been outstanding lately, with four straight double-doubles of at least 20 points and at least 15 rebounds. In his 16 games since the All-Star Break, AD has averaged 1.50 DraftKings points per minute while playing 36.2 minutes per game with a 26.1% usage rate.
Even with the Lakers on a back-to-back, he has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection of all power forwards. If LeBron returns to lighten the load as expected, he may not get quite the volume he did on Tuesday. However, Davis still brings a high ceiling to consider him as a pay-up play in this great matchup in Memphis against the thin frontcourt of the Grizzlies.
Value
The highest Projected Plus/Minus at power forward comes from bargain play Trendon Watford, who stepped into a bigger role for the Nets due to their injuries in the frontcourt. He only has a projection of 16 minutes in the Nets’ matchup Wednesday against Washington, but that should be enough for him to be a good value at only $3,200, leaving loads of salary to pay up in other spots.
Watford played 21 minutes on Monday in Toronto and finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. It was his best scoring performance of the season and may have earned him more time, at least while Cam Johnson is sidelined.
Fast Break
DeMar DeRozan continues to carry the Bulls, so he’ll be in a good spot in a potentially high-scoring matchup against the Pacers. DeRozan has scored at least 27 points in each of his last three games, not counting the one he was ejected from against the Rockets. In his 12 games this month, he averaged 1.16 DraftKings points per minute while playing a heavy load of 35.7 minutes per game.
The Thunder keep getting strong secondary production from Jalen Williams, who brings an elite ceiling at a non-elite salary of $7,000 on DraftKings. Williams has scored at least 18 points in six straight games and has exploded for over 25 points three four in his last 12 games, including dropping 26 on the Pelicans on Tuesday. He averaged 1.18 DraftKings points per minute in 30.1 minutes per game in his 13 games over the last month and has the second-highest usage on the team behind only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
If you’re looking for a low-cost power forward with solid upside, Toumani Camara is worth a look as he continues to regularly start for the Trail Blazers. Jerami Grant (hamstring) is doubtful for Wednesday’s game against Atlanta, so Camra will likely draw his ninth straight start. He has scored double-digit points in three straight games, exceeding salary-based expectations in each of those outings while playing 30+ minutes in each game.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
The Cavaliers are in Charlotte in a good matchup against the Hornets after beating them in Cleveland to start the week. In that matchup, Jarrett Allen has the second-highest median, floor, and ceiling projection of all centers, behind only Anthony Davis (discussed above). He matches Davis in Pts/Sal and is a solid alternative at over $2,000 cheaper.
Allen had a strong double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds in Monday’s matchup with the Hornets and has posted a double-double in three of his last four games. The only exception was a blowout loss to the Heat, in which he played just 22 minutes. Since the All-Star Break, he has typically carried a much heavier load, playing 34.5 minutes per game with a 21.1% usage rate. Over those 18 games, Allen has produced 1.15 DraftKings points per minute. He has been trending upwards as well by producing 1.22 DraftKings points per game over his last 11.
In such a favorable matchup, Allen brings a high ceiling but also a very reliable floor. He’ll need to continue to carry more offense until Donovan Mitchell (nose) works his way back to the lineup, which could be as soon as Friday.
Value
With Onyeka Okongwu (toe) still sidelined, the Hawks have been giving more work to Bruno Fernando in their last two games, and the big man has stepped up with two big games against the Hornets and the Celtics on their current homestand. Fernando broke out for 25 points and six boards in a big game last Saturday. Much of his 25 minutes came in garbage time against the Hornets, but he got a very solid 19 minutes against Boston on Monday, finishing with another strong stat line of 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Fernando exceeded salary-based expectations in each of those two games and has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers on Wednesday’s slate as well. His minutes are projected to be over 20 again in this matchup with the Trail Blazers, and if things get lop-sided, he could get even more work. He’s still boom-or-bust in his un-established role, but he definitely brings high upside for a center priced under $4,500.
Fast Break
Rudy Gobert (rib) is questionable for Wednesday’s matchup with the Pistons. He missed three games with the issue but played 37 minutes in each of his two games since returning. He has a high ceiling in this favorable matchup if he can suit up and has produced 1.06 DraftKings points per minute in 37.1 minutes per game over his last 10 contests when available.
Whenever he returns, Deandre Ayton (elbow, questionable) will be a good play for the Blazers if he picks up where he left off before his injury. If he remains sidelined, Duop Reath will continue to be a solid value.
Isaiah Hartentstein has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers on the slate, and he’s a great midrange play if you don’t trust Bruno Fernando. Hartenstein should get big minutes like all Knicks’ starters do, and he has a favorable matchup against the banged-up front line of the Raptors.
