This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: The Clippers have held opponents to a league-low 89.4 points and 40.3 percent field-goal percentage. They've also elicited a third-highest 16.7 turnovers per game while the Blazers have turned it over at a clip of 15.3 per game. Portland also comes in on the second game of a back-to-back and already suffered an eight-point loss to this same Clippers squad on Portland's home court in the second game of the season.
Offense To Use
Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks : Although the Mavericks have held opponents to a solid 100.4 points per game, they've yielded a 45.2 percent success rate from the field and the second-highest three-point percentage (39.4) in the league, particularly relevant against Stephen Curry and company. The Warriors are also scoring the most points per game (112.9) and are tied with the Celtics for the highest field-goal percentage (48.7) in the league, a figure that climbs to 49.4 percent at home.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Warriors, Bulls
Second game of a back-to-back: Timberwolves, Suns, Trail Blazers, Mavericks
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Guards
Chris Paul, LAC vs. POR ($8,700): Paul catches Damian Lillard on the second half of a back-to-back and checks in red-hot in his own right, having scored 52.0 to 66.0 fantasy points in three of his last four games. Paul has been getting it done across the stat sheet and is second only to Blake Griffin in shot attempts (90) and usage (25.3 percent) on the Clippers. The Blazers have also given up 54.2 fantasy points per game to point guards, and the second-most actual points (26.6) to the position as well.
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. BOS ($5,800): I also like Avery Bradley ($6,500) on the other side of this matchup, but I'm giving the nod to Beal based on the savings. He also played well against the Celtics last season, tallying a 51.4 percent success rate from the field over three games. Furthermore, despite Avery Bradley's reputation as a stingy defender, the Celtics have given up the seventh-most fantasy points (23.8) per contest to two-guards, along with the third-most three-pointers (3.2). Beal has also scored 27.75 to 37.5 fantasy points in his last three games and has averaged 32.4 fantasy points at home.
Seth Curry, DAL at GS ($3,000): It's always a bit of a dart throw when you get into minimum-priced options, but there's an argument for Curry on Wednesday. Not only might he have a bit of extra juice with his brother on the other side of the floor, but he's also likely due for some decent run with Deron Williams (calf) out again. He exploded for 41.5 fantasy points on Tuesday against the Lakers on a 31-minute allotment, and the Warriors have also been highly accommodating to point guards, giving up the second-most three-pointers (3.2), the third-most points (26.4) and fourth-most fantasy points (58.9) to the position.
Forwards
Kawhi Leonard, SA vs. HOU ($9,200): Leonard takes on a Rockets squad that gives up the fifth-most fantasy points (46.6), third-most points (23.5) and fifth-highest shooting percentage (49.1 percent) to small forwards, despite Trevor Ariza's defensive reputation. Leonard is the unquestioned linchpin of the Spurs offense, leading the team in shot attempts (119) and usage (34.2 percent) and having scored 34.5 to 54.75 fantasy points in all but one game. He'll come in well rested as well, with the Spurs having last played on Saturday.
Taj Gibson, CHI at ATL ($5,900): Gibson looked like an improved offensive player in preseason and that has carried over into the first several games of the new campaign. He's scored 25.5 to 35.75 fantasy points in six of seven games this season and is second only to Jimmy Butler on the Bulls in shot attempts (73), making his sub-$6K price especially appealing. He's been particularly strong on the boards, tallying double digits in four contests, while the Hawks have given up 10.9 rebounds per contest to power forwards and are coming in after a hard-fought victory against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Dwight Powell, DAL at GS ($3,900): Much like his Mavs teammate Seth Curry, Powell carries some risk but is slated for elevated playing time with Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles) still sidelined. He's parlayed extended run into solid production in the last two games in which he's received over 20 minutes, posting 27.5 and 26.5 fantasy points, respectively. Considering the Warriors give up the most fantasy points (55.2), second-most points (25.1), most rebounds (13.8) and highest field-goal percentage (50.9 percent) to power forwards, Powell makes for an interesting tournament play with some upside Wednesday.
Centers
Karl-Anthony Towns, ORL vs. MIN ($8,500): Towns has scored no less than 33.5 fantasy points in any game this season, while also displaying a 60-fantasy point ceiling. The Magic's Nikola Vucevic has been dealing with a shoulder injury and Orlando already gives up the eighth-most fantasy points (50.9) and third-most rebounds (17.0) to centers. Towns also continues to lead the T-Wolves in shot attempts (97) and is second in usage (27.5 percent).
Enes Kanter, OKC vs. TOR ($5,000): Kanter has exploded for 38 and 40.5 fantasy points, respectively, over the last two games, despite playing only 21 minutes. While he always carries a bit of risk due to playing time, he offers ton of upside at his price, and faces off with a Raptors squad that's given up the fifth-most points (21.4) and a 56.6 percent field-goal percentage to centers in the early going.
Al Jefferson, IND vs. PHI ($3,400): Jefferson has still to reach the 20-minute mark this season, but the risk associated with that is mostly mitigated by his price. He's also picked up his production in five straight games, topping out at 26.75 fantasy points against his former Hornets teammates on Monday night. Joel Embiid will also be rested Wednesday, and the Sixers already give up the fourth-most fantasy points (52.6), third-most points (23.7) and second-highest field-goal percentage (61.8) to centers.
INJURY REPORT
For the latest news on injured players heading into the games, check out our Injury Updates page.
