Wednesday features an 11-game main slate starting at 7 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 Clippers draw one of the best matchups of the day Wednesday vs. the Wizards. They’ve played at the fourth-fastest pace this season, and they’re dead last in defensive efficiency. That’s an elite combination, and as a result, the Clippers are currently implied for 116.75 points. That figure might not jump off the page – it’s the sixth-highest mark on the DraftKings slate – but it represents an increase of roughly eight points compared to their regular-season average (108.7).
That makes Harden a strong pay-up option at $9,000. Harden hasn’t had the best start to the year for fantasy purposes, shooting just 37.2% from the field and 32.0% from 3-point range. Still, he’s managed 1.37 DraftKings points per minute. With some better shooting luck moving forward, he could be an even stronger fantasy asset on Wednesday.
There’s also a chance that the Clippers are still without top scorer Norman Powell. He’s officially questionable, and Harden has seen a +4.27% usage bump with Powell off the floor this season. Harden leads all point guards in projected Plus/Minus, and he ranks second at the position in ceiling projection.
Value
Anthony Black was Orlando’s first-round pick in 2023, and he’s started to see a few additional minutes of late. That’s due primarily to their injury report, with Paolo Banchero and Gary Harris both currently out with injuries.
Black has averaged a healthy 0.87 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s projected for 26 minutes in our NBA Models. That makes him a nice value at just $4,500, especially in an elite spot vs. the Bulls. Chicago has been a dream matchup for fantasy purposes this season, and Orlando is implied for 118.0 points in this spot.
Fast Break
LaMelo Ball is the only point guard with a higher ceiling projection than Harden on Wednesday. He’s been a fantasy monster to start the year, averaging 1.50 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s taken his scoring to another level recently. He leads the league with a 38.9% usage rate for the year, and he’s been at 44.8% or higher in each of his past three outings.
Dalano Banton has seen a solid handful of minutes recently, and he’s averaged 1.24 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s projected for another 21 minutes vs. the Pacers, making him underpriced at $4,500. His 78% Bargain Rating is one of the top marks at the position.
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
Jared McCain has had a meteoric rise for the 76ers. In the span of just a few weeks, McCain has gone from a relative unknown to the Rookie of the Year frontrunner. He’s unsurprisingly posted some huge fantasy performances along the way, posting an average Plus/Minus of +9.21 over his past 10 outings.
McCain’s price tag continues to rise, but there’s no real reason to shy away from him yet. He’s projected for 36 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged an outstanding 1.18 DraftKings points per minute with Joel Embiid and Paul George off the floor this season.
He does have a tough matchup vs. the Rockets – who are No. 2 in defensive efficiency this season – but they do play at an above-average pace. That makes this more a neutral spot than it may seem on paper.
Value
The Pacers are dealing with some injuries at the moment. Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Ben Sheppard all remain out of the lineup, while Johnny Furphy is questionable with an ankle injury. Those absences have allowed Quenton Jackson to take on an expanded role. He’s coming off a season-high 32 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with 24.5 DraftKings points.
Johnson isn’t projected for quite as much playing time on Wednesday, but his 26 projected minutes keep him on the radar at $4,300. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +1.70 (per the Trends tool). Add in a strong matchup vs. the Blazers, and Jackson stands out as a strong value option.
Fast Break
If Ball is the Hornets’ Batman, Brandon Miller is his Robin. Even though Ball is using up possessions at the highest rate in the league, it’s still left more than enough for Miller to get his. He’s scored at least 40.0 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he’s posted a 30.7% usage rate over his past three contests. Between Ball and Miller, no one else on the team is really sniffing the ball at this point. That might not be ideal for their teammates, but it’s great for DFS players.
Jaden Ivey is coming off one of his best games of the season on Monday, finishing with 25 points, five rebounds, and eight assists across 36.4 minutes. Ivey’s price tag has come up to $7,500, but given his average of 1.06 DraftKings points per minute, that’s still a bit too cheap.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Franz Wagner is having a truly incredible season. With Banchero out of the picture for the time being, Wagner has averaged career highs in points (23.4), rebounds (5.5), and assists per game (5.6). The result is an average of 1.37 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s turned in some monster performances of late. He’s posted a +7.19 average Plus/Minus over his past 10 outings, and he’s scored at least 51.75 DraftKings points in four of his past six.
Wagner leads all small forwards with 10 Pro Trends vs. the Bulls. Chicago has played at the fastest pace in the league this season, so this is a massive pace-up spot for Orlando. They’ve been the third-slowest team in basketball, so they have significantly more upside than usual. Even at an elevated price tag, paying up for Wagner is a strong option.
Value
Deni Avdija was a solid fantasy producer in his final year with the Wizards, but he hasn’t had the chance to make much of an impact in his first year with the Blazers. He’s averaged just 25.6 minutes per game, and he’s come off the bench in his past eight outings. However, Avdija has still been effective when on the floor, averaging 1.05 DraftKings points per minute.
Despite coming off the bench, his playing time is trending back in the right direction. He’s logged at least 31.9 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s responded with at least 39.5 DraftKings points in both. He’s projected for another 30 minutes on Wednesday in a strong matchup vs. the Pacers, making him an outstanding value option.
Fast Break
Jake LaRavia isn’t seeing a ton of playing time at the moment, but he’s making the most of his minutes. He’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute for the year, and he’s scored at least 26.25 DraftKings points in three of his past four games. That includes his most recent contest, despite playing just 20.1 minutes. He could pick up a few additional minutes if Wednesday’s game is more competitive, giving him some upside at $4,500.
Scottie Barnes is back for the Raptors, and when he’s been on the floor this season, he’s absolutely dominated. He’s played at least 34.1 minutes in three games, and he’s scored 61.5, 45.25, and 65.5 DraftKings points. He’s averaged 1.53 DraftKings points per minute since returning from injury, and he’ll take on a depleted Pelicans squad on Wednesday. Barnes is an intriguing pivot off Wagner at the top of the position, who is expected to command significantly more ownership.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Luka Doncic remains out of the lineup for the Mavericks, and P.J. Washington has provided stud-like production at a value in his absence. He’s scored at least 39.0 DraftKings points in four of his past five games, including each of his past three. The lone exception was a blowout win where he played just 25.3 minutes, but he’s played at least 38.7 minutes in back-to-back outings.
Overall, Washington has seen a +2.98% usage bump with Doncic off the floor, and he’s increased his output to 1.25 DraftKings points per minute in that split. That’s elite production for someone who is available at just $6,400.
Value
Tidjane Salaun is a name that most NBA fans probably aren’t familiar with, despite being the No. 6 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He’s plated sparingly to start his NBA tenure, but he moved into the starting lineup in the team’s last game. He responded with 30 minutes of playing time, though it translated to just 10.25 DraftKings points.
With Ball and Miller hogging the usage, Salaun doesn’t have a ton of upside, even as a member of the starting lineup. Still, anyone with that much playing time potential stands out at just $3,500. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.30.
Salaun leads the slate in projected Plus/Minus, making him an elite choice for cash games.
Fast Break
Jabari Smith continues to be an underappreciated source of upside at his current salary. He’s played at least 37.1 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s scored at least 32.5 DraftKings points in three of his past four. That includes 37.75 DraftKings points Tuesday vs. the Timberwolves, and his current matchup vs. the 76ers is significantly friendlier.
Harrison Barnes has done some damage of late for the Spurs. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games, and he’s scored at least 36.5 DraftKings points in three of them. He remains extremely affordable at just $4,500, resulting in a 90% Bargain Rating.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Ivica Zubac is getting the opportunity to play more minutes than at any other point in his NBA career. He’s averaging 33.0 minutes per game this season after averaging just 26.4 minutes with the Clippers last season. Zubac has always been an elite per-minute producer, and he’s averaged 1.13 DraftKings points per minute this season.
That’s a nice combination, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six straight games. He should be able to keep that rolling Wednesday vs. the Wizards, who have allowed the seventh-most points in the paint per game.
Value
Clint Capela is another strong per-minute producer, and he’s also been a consistent source of value recently. He failed to return value in his last outing, but he had posted a positive Plus/Minus in his previous seven contests. That includes four games with at least 34.25 DraftKings points.
His salary has yet to catch up to his production, and his $5,400 price tag comes with a 78% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
Myles Turner has been a middling option of late, but he continues to provide one of the top ceilings in his price range. He has two performances with more than 50 DraftKings points this season, and that’s not something that most $6,500 options can say.
Karl-Anthony Towns continues to absolutely smash for the Knicks. He’s averaged a +11.23 Plus/Minus over his past 10 contests, returning positive value in each. He was one of the top centers in fantasy during his early years with the Timberwolves, and now that he’s back to playing the center position almost exclusively, the results have followed. He’s still underpriced at a sub-$10k salary.
