This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
San Antonio Spurs, at Orlando Magic: The Spurs give up the second-fewest points (98.7) on the season, while the Magic score a very modest 99.9 points per game and are now down another offensive weapon in their starting five with the trade of Serge Ibaka to the Raptors. San Antonio has also helped opponents under 100 points in two of its last three road games, and Gregg Popovich's team will likely be out for revenge after having been shocked at home by the Magic, 95-83, in their previous meeting this season.
Offense To Use
Denver Nuggets, vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: The Warriors are also excellent candidates for this designation against the Kings, but the Nuggets should be poised to take advantage of a Timberwolves team playing on the second night of a back-to-back and on the road. Denver has scored the fourth-most points (110.9) per game on the season and is coming off a 132-110 thrashing of the Warriors in which they tied an NBA single-game record with 24 three-pointers. The T-Wolves give up a robust 105.8 points per game, along with a 46.4 percent success rate from the field.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Celtics
Second game of a back-to-back: Timberwolves, Lakers, Kings, Raptors, Cavs
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at BKN ($10,800): For those with the cash to spend up, Russell Westbrook ($12,500) and James Harden ($12,200), as customary, are highly viable options. However, Antetokunmpo checks in notably cheaper and with similar upside, his modest 25.5 fantasy points against the Pistons in his last outing notwithstanding. Factoring out that outlier, the Greek Freak had scored between 46.5 and 68.0 fantasy points in four of the previous five games and has averaged 51.8 fantasy points in three games against the Nets this season. Brooklyn has also given up the most fantasy points to point guards (60.8), along with the fifth-most points (24.4), most rebounds (6.9), third-most assists (9.4) and most steals (2.6).
Lou Williams, LAL at PHO ($5,800): As usual, there are interesting options up and down the mid-tier at guard Wednesday, including Mike Conley ($7,500), Jeff Teague ($7,400) and Ricky Rubio ($7,300) on the high end, and George Hill ($5,800), Austin Rivers ($5,100) and Malcolm Brogdon ($4,900) at Williams' price or lower. Williams might well provide the most bang for the buck, however, given his matchup and scorching hot hand at the moment. He exploded for 29 points in just 24 minutes against the Kings on Tuesday, netting 45.25 fantasy points. He'd also scored between 24.25 and 50.75 fantasy points in seven of the previous eight games, and the Suns have given up the most fantasy points (50.4) to shooting guards over the last five games, along with bottom-10 figures for the season in points (22.3), three-pointers (2.9) and field-goal percentage (44.5).
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. MIN ($3,900): If Klay Thompson (heel) sits out again Wednesday, both Ian Clark ($3,500) and Patrick McCaw ($3,300) become viable plays, and Jordan Clarkson ($4,000) and Buddy Hield ($3,800) also shape up as appealing options. Meanwhile, Murray will look to build on a recent stretch that has seen him score between 19.75 and 25.0 fantasy points in nine of the last 10 games. The Timberwolves have also given up the ninth-most fantasy points (47.7) to guards over the last five games and are playing on the second game of a back-to-back after a grueling loss to the Cavs on Tuesday.
Kawhi Leonard, SA at ORL ($8,900): It's easy to be drawn in by the impressive quintet (DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin) above Leonard in price Wednesday, but the Spurs forward has been flashing a superb ceiling as of late himself. He's scored 60.25 and 52.0 fantasy points, respectively, in his last two games, and between 41.5 and 58.5 fantasy points in seven of the previous eight contests as well. He's actually been more prolific in road games as well, averaging 44.9 fantasy points in 27 games away from AT&T Center. The Magic also give up the eighth-most fantasy points (43.4) to small forwards, along with bottom-10 figures in points (20.2), rebounds (8.1) and assists (3.7).
James Johnson, MIA at HOU ($6,100): Kristaps Porzingis ($6,500), LaMarcus Aldridge ($6,300), Dario Saric ($5,800) and Channing Frye ($5,000) are also strong plays in the mid-tier Wednesday, but Johnson has been on an astounding tear befitting a player of higher salary. The Heat forward has scored no fewer than 23.0 fantasy points in his last 10 games, and between 31.5 and 45.5 fantasy points in seven of those contests. He's contributing across the stat sheet and has remained aggressive on offense, putting up double-digit shot attempts in three of his last four games. Johnson is also sporting a 25.1 percent usage rate over the last 10 games, furthering his case.
Larry Nance, Jr., LAL at PHO ($4,200): Bojan Bogdanovic ($4,400), Tyreke Evans ($4,300) and Khris Middleton ($3,900) are other options at this level Wednesday, although all carry enough risk to make them strictly tournament plays. Meanwhile, Nance has been impressively consistent, scoring between 23.75 and 44.75 fantasy points in five of his last six games while playing at least 20 minutes in those contests. The Suns have also been vulnerable to power forwards all season, giving up the fourth-most fantasy points (49.6) on the season to the position, second-most (55.2) over the last 10 games, and bottom-10 figures across all major offensive categories.
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. MIN ($10,300): Jokic has averaged 39.5 fantasy points at home this season and scored between 52.75 and 67.25 fantasy points in his last three contests. The Timberwolves have surrendered the highest field-goal percentage (58.8) to centers on the season, along with the sixth-most points (21.5). Jokic boasts a 22.4 percent usage rate this season, and is scoring an impressive 1.23 fantasy points per minute as well.
Dwight Howard, ATL at LAC ($7,100): Marc Gasol ($7,500) is also a strong play for those with a bit of extra cash, while Al Horford ($6,800) draws a highly appealing matchup against the Sixers. Meanwhile, Howard went off for 40.0 fantasy points in his one previous encounter with the Clippers this season and has averaged 36.6 fantasy points in 25 games away from Philips Arena. While his production can fluctuat, Howard boasts a ceiling north of 60.0 fantasy points, while the Clippers have given up the third-most fantasy points (59.1)to centers over the last 10 games, along with the fourth-most points (21.7) on the season.
Amir Johnson, BOS vs. PHI ($3,500): Johnson has scored between 22.5 and 27.75 fantasy points in three of his last five games, excellent returns at his current price. The fact that he does carry a single-digit fantasy-point floor does render him a strict tournament play on most nights, but Johnson's combination of price and matchup make him worth the dart throw Wednesday for those looking to go cheap. The Joel Embiid-less Sixers check in giving up the most fantasy points (55.1) to centers, along with the most over the last five (66.0) and last 10 (65.1). They also give up the most points (23.3) and second-most rebounds (16.1) to the position on the season, and Johnson has already averaged 22.9 fantasy points against the Sixers across 20.4 minutes in two previous meetings this season.
INJURY REPORT
For the latest news on injured players heading into the games, check out our Injury Updates page.
