This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Detroit Pistons vs. Memphis Grizzlies. You realistically could also nominate the Grizzlies and the Jazz for this spot, but the Pistons have the best overall matchup of the three. Memphis averages the second-fewest points (97.2) on the season, while also tallying the lowest shooting percentage (41.4). They've scored under 100 points in four of their last five, and the Pistons give up the third-fewestpoints (97.4) per game.
Offense To Use
Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns: The Rockets should encounter little resistance against a Suns squad that's surrendered the third-most points per game (113.1) and that gives up a 46.2 shooting percentage, which ranks in the bottom 10 of the league. They're also the second-most generous team defending the three-pointer (38.7 percent success rate surrendered from behind the arc), which spells trouble on a team that has the likes of James Harden and Eric Gordon firing away.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: None
Second game of a back-to-back: Bucks, Cavs, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Kings, Jazz, Rockets, Trail Blazers
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Russell Westbrook, OKC at NO ($12,500): It's essentially a toss-up between Westbrook and James Harden as the elite guard option Wednesday, given their immense talent and favorable matchups. As good as Harden has been, Westbrook has been even a tad more spectacular in his overall returns, as evidenced most recently by tallies of 81.25 and 73.25 fantasy points in his last two contests. Naturally, a triple-double is always a very real possibility with Westbrook, who will take on a Pelicans defense that surrenders the fourth-most fantasy points (59.2) to point guards, and the most (68.4) over the last five games. They notably also surrender the second-most assists (9.6) to the position on the season, which forebodes a potential disaster of epic proportions against Westbrook.
Deron Williams, DAL at POR ($6,000): Williams is priced quite nicely for a favorable matchup against a Blazers squad that's coming off a Tuesday night track meet against the Sacramento Kings. The veteran guard has largely taken advantage of favorable matchups this season, with his 38.25-fantasy point effort against the Nuggets on Monday serving as the most recent example. He also racked up 28.8 fantasy points against Portland in his one previous encounter with them this season, and the Blazers have given up a robust 54.0 fantasy points per game to point guards over the last five.
Buddy Hield, NO vs. OKC ($3,800): Seth Curry ($3,900) also makes for an interesting play under $4K on Wednesday, but Hield offers some potentially sneaky GPP value in what should be a high-paced matchup. Like most rookies, he's been up-and-down, but has flashed a ceiling in excess of 30 fantasy points. He also had one of his better games of the season against this same Thunder squad on Dec. 4, tallying 24.0 fantasy points in just 15 minutes.
LeBron James, CLE vs. MIL ($9,800): There's an interesting situation at the high end at forward Wednesday, as Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and James are all playing on the second night on a back-to-back. While the first two are naturally good plays as well, James is the only one of the trio that won't set you back five figures, and with Kevin Love potentially missing another game Wednesday, he might provide the best return dollar for dollar. He's scored no less than 45.0 fantasy points in his last four games, has been over 50 fantasy points on four occasions in the last 10, and exploded for 66.5 fantasy points on Tuesday versus this same Bucks squad. Those are Davis-and-Cousins-like returns at a savings, making him the choice at the high end.
Ryan Anderson, HOU at PHO ($5,500): Anderson can admittedly give those who roster him fits from time to time, but that's what makes him an intriguing tournament play in particular. You can look no further than his game log for the last week as an example, as he's scored 33.0, 12.75, 46.0 and 19.5 fantasy points, respectively, over the last four games. It all comes down to his shot, which has been all over the place in his first year with the Rockets. However, he at least has the right matchup Wednesday, as the Suns give up the fifth-most fantasy points (50.1) to power forwards, along with 20.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and a 46.2 percent success rate from the field.
Terrence Jones, NO vs. OKC ($4,400): One of the keys to DFS success is finding those mispriced players whose recent production has significantly outpaced the cost to acquire them. Jones has scored 20.0 fantasy points or more in six of his last seven games, including 34.5 against the Sixers on Tuesday. He has double-doubles in two of those games, and has averaged a solid 24.5 minutes over that span as well. With a secure spot in the Pels' frontcourt rotation, he shapes up as one of the true bargains at forward Wednesday.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. SAC ($7,000): Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and Karl-Anthony Towns are all available at the top end of the center pool Wednesday, but Gobert shapes up as a high-upside play in his own right that checks in at a significant savings over that trio. He's been as steady as they've come in recent games, scoring 34.5 to 49.75 fantasy points over his last eight, with double-doubles in each of those games. He burned this same Kings squad for 47.0 fantasy points in their one previous meeting this season, and is averaging 35.4 fantasy points in 15 home games. Notably, the Kings also give up the most blocks (3.1) per game to centers, which could certainly result in a solid boost to Gobert's fantasy returns Wednesday.
Steven Adams, OKC at NO ($5,200): Adams is in a position to potentially provide 6x-7x return Wednesday against a Pelicans defense that's surrendered the third-most fantasy points (52.1) to centers, as well as the most over the last 10 (61.0). They've also yielded the most rebounds (16.8) and assists (3.9) to the position, while Adams has scored 22.75 to 41.5 fantasy points in his last seven games.
Montrezl Harrell, HOU at PHO ($4,000): Harrell has been receiving relatively steady playing time in the Rockets' big man rotation, and with Clint Capela now out for several weeks with a broken left leg, he stands to see even more run. That was already evident Tuesday when he logged 22 minutes, during which he generated 19.75 fantasy points. He draws a prime matchup against the Suns, who've surrendered the most fantasy points (65.0) to centers over the last 10 games.
INJURY REPORT
For the latest news on injured players heading into the games, check out our Injury Updates page.
