Wednesday features a six-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
The Nets are one of the most intriguing teams on Wednesday’s slate. For starters, they have an elite matchup vs. the Pacers. Indiana has played at the sixth-fastest pace this season, and they’re 25th in defensive efficiency. The 225.5-point total in this matchup doesn’t jump off the page, but it’s the second-highest mark on the slate.
Additionally, the Nets could be pretty shorthanded. They’ve already ruled out Cam Thomas, while Cameron Johnson and Ben Simmons are both listed as questionable. Ultimately, they have eight players currently listed on their injury report.
That makes Dennis Schroder a clear target at point guard. He’s already been good this season, averaging 1.05 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s been even better with Thomas off the floor. He’s seen a team-high +4.58% usage bump in that scenario, resulting in an average of 1.21 DraftKings points per minute.
Value
Mike Conley continues to stand out as underpriced across the industry. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past six outings, and one of the exceptions was a game where he played just 22.4 minutes. He’s been playing more than 30 minutes in games that have stayed competitive recently, so that’s a clear outlier.
He’s currently projected for 31 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged 0.90 DraftKings points per minute for the year. Historically, Conley has averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.39 with a comparable salary and minute projection (per the Trends tool). Overall, he stands out as the best pure value at the position.
Fast Break
D’Angelo Russell is a clear value on DraftKings, where his $4,900 salary comes with an 88% Bargain Rating. He’s lost his spot in the starting lineup, but he’s still routinely playing plenty of minutes off the bench. He’s scored at least 27.75 DraftKings points in four straight games, and he’s had at least 33.75 in his past two. Russell has averaged 0.99 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he doesn’t need a ton of minutes to potentially return value.
James Harden got off to a rough start this season, shooting less than 40% from the field over the first month. However, he’s started to turn things around. He is coming off a poor performance in his last game, but he played less than 32 minutes in a blowout win. He had at least 55.0 DraftKings points in his previous three outings, so he has nice upside for his price tag.
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
SG is a pretty uninspiring position on Wednesday, especially at the top of the pricing spectrum. That said, Jared McCain deserves some consideration. McCain has emerged as a surprise Rookie of the Year contender for the 76ers, and it’s crazy to think where they’d be without him. He’s racked up 16.1 points per game, and that figure increases to 23.7 as a member of the starting unit.
There’s a good chance that McCain starts vs. the Magic. The team has ruled out Paul George on the second leg of a back-to-back, and they’re already without Joel Embiid. McCain has seen a usage bump of +3.23% in games without both players this season, resulting in an average of 1.10 DraftKings points per minute. That number would be significantly higher if looking at just recent games without both players, since McCain started the year as a reserve. Over his past five outings without both players, he’s averaged better than 36 DraftKings points per game.
Value
Nickiel Alexander-Walker may not be his cousin, but he’s been a nice source of value for DFS players of late. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games, and he’s scored at least 31.0 DraftKings points in two of them. He remains extremely affordable at $3,900, and he’s projected for 26 minutes vs. the Clippers.
Fast Break
Speaking of the Clippers, we’re still waiting on their injury report for Wednesday. That said, Kris Dunn has started 12 straight games, and he should be locked into around 25 minutes regardless of who is in or out of the lineup. He’s averaged 0.83 DraftKings points per minute this season, so that’s more than enough to potentially return value.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope got off to a really slow start with the Magic, but he’s started to turn the corner. He posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games before failing to do so in his last outing. That was a blowout loss to the Knicks on Tuesday where he played just 26.6 minutes. As long as his playing time returns to normal, he’s underpriced at $4,200.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Franz Wagner continues to carry a large workload for the shorthanded Magic. Without Paolo Banchero, Wagner has been asked to do a little bit of everything. He’s posted career-best marks in nearly every category across the board, resulting in an average of 1.40 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
Wagner is also projected for 37 minutes in our NBA Models, which is tied for the top mark on the slate across all positions. Wagner is on the second leg of a back-to-back, but his matchup vs. the 76ers is excellent: they’re 28th in defensive efficiency so far this season.
Value
De’Andre Hunter isn’t playing quite as much as in years past. He has to split time with Zacchaire Risacher, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
That said, Hunter has made the most out of his playing time. He’s averaged better than 1.00 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three of his past four games. That includes two outings with at least 34.75 DraftKings points, giving him a decent ceiling at $4,900.
Fast Break
Risacher is also in play for the Hawks. He’s not expected to see quite as much playing time as Hunter – he’s projected for 24 minutes, Hunter 28 – but he is nearly -$1,000 cheaper. He’s also been a solid per-minute producer as a rookie, averaging 0.99 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
Cameron Johnson is questionable for the Nets, but he’s worth some consideration if he’s able to suit up. He’s seen a +3.01% usage bump with Thomas off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.04 DraftKings points per minute. He’s also displayed a big ceiling at times this season, posting two games with at least 47.25 DraftKings points. His questionable designation could keep his ownership down even if he’s active, making him an interesting GPP option.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
There’s plenty of value available on this slate and not a ton of studs, so paying up for Giannis Antetokounmpo is certainly viable. Giannis is one of the best players in fantasy, and he’s averaged 1.81 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s returned positive value in three of his past five games, and he’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +3.04 over his past 10 outings.
The only problem with Giannis is his price tag. He’s currently up over $12,000, which is a lot to pay for any one player. That said, that concern is mitigated on Wednesday’s slate. No one else is remotely close in terms of median and ceiling projection, and those raw points add up. Add in a great matchup vs. the Hawks, and there are plenty of reasons to justify spending up for Giannis on Wednesday.
Value
Jarace Walker is another strong source of value. The No. 8 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft hasn’t had a ton of opportunities to make an impact at the highest level, but he’s earned more playing time of late. He’s logged at least 24.6 minutes in three straight games, including one with more than 30.
Walker is projected for another 27 minutes vs. the Nets, and he’s averaged a healthy 0.83 DraftKings points per minute for the year. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.87. Overall, he’s one of the best sources of savings on the entire slate.
Fast Break
Naz Ried is an outstanding per-minute producer, but playing time can be an issue for him. He’s stuck behind Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle on the depth chart, which caps him at around 25 minutes most nights. The good news is that his price has come down to a point where he can pay off his salary with limited playing time. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three of his past four games, so he’s a reasonable choice at $4,600.
Obi Toppin is another potential option for the Pacers. He’s not seeing nearly as much playing time as Walker, but he makes up for it with superior per-minute production. He’s played 22.1 minutes or less in back-to-back contests, but that hasn’t stopped him from scoring at least 29 DraftKings points in each.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Bam Adebayo has not provided his usual production this season. He’s averaging nearly four fewer points per game than he did last year, and he’s also seen a slight dip in rebounds. His 21.9% usage rate is also the lowest mark he’s posted since 2019-20.
That said, the Heat currently have a ton of players on the injury report for Wednesday, including Jimmy Butler. If he’s out of the lineup, Adebayo will have to do more by default. He’s increased his usage rate by nearly 2% with Butler off the floor this season, so he’d offer a bit more upside than usual if Butler is out vs. the Lakers.
Value
Clint Capela is back to being an elite per-minute producer at center. His production was down to start the year, but he’s back up to 1.34 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s responded with some big games of late, including 38.75 DraftKings points vs. the Hornets on Monday.
Overall, he’s too cheap at just $5,200, resulting in a 79% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
Goga Bitadze is currently listed as questionable with an ankle injury, but he’s a strong target if he’s able to suit up. He’s scored at least 31.0 DraftKings points in three straight outings, including more than 42 in his last game. He’s averaged 1.10 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he doesn’t need a ton of playing time to pay off his $5,100 salary.
Anthony Davis is another potential stud option on this slate. His production is trending in the wrong direction, but he trails only Giannis in terms of ceiling projection. He’s also projected for roughly 10% less ownership, so he’s an intriguing pivot for tournaments.
