This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons: The Pistons are likely to still be reeling from a blowout loss to the Cavs on Tuesday night and the Jazz surrenders the least points (96.6) per game. Utah also stymied Detroit to the tune of just 77 points in their one previous meeting this season, and have a formidable force with which to counter Andre Drummond down low in the form of Rudy Gobert.
Offense To Use
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: The Suns and Kings could also shoot out Wednesday but the Rockets, who lambasted the Lakers for 135 points in their previous meeting, are also in an excellent spot. Houston scores the second-most points (115.1) per game, while the Lakers give up the third-most points (111.3). The Rockets also shoot an excellent 46.2 percent from the field and are averaging 116.3 points per game at home this season.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Jazz, Grizzlies, Clippers
Second game of a back-to-back: Blazers, Pelicans, Pacers, Pistons
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Kemba Walker, CHA at IND ($8,600): James Harden ($12,600) is naturally an option but has seen a price jump of another $800, so he'll be largely require the proverbial "stars and scrubs" approach if you choose to utilize him. John Wall ($9,700) is certainly an option as well, although there's a bit of a concern with the fact he'll be playing his sixth game in nine nights. Therefore, for those in search of an alternative, Walker provides a $4K discount, an excellent ceiling and a favorable track record against the Pacers this season. He's scored between 43.0 and 54.5 fantasy points in eight of the last 10 games and has averaged 41.8 fantasy points in three games against Indiana, while the Pacers have surrendered a healthy 50.6 fantasy points to point guards on the season.
Patrick Beverley, HOU vs. LAL ($5,900): There never seems to be a shortage of options at the mid-tier at guard, which on Wednesday would include the likes of Devin Booker ($6,700) in the best matchup in the league for shooting guards, as well as Seth Curry ($6,300), Dwyane Wade ($6,200), Darren Collison ($6,200), George Hill ($6,000) and Jordan Clarkson ($5,900), particularly if he draws another start. However, we'll highlight Beverley on the other side of the Lakers-Rockets matchup as an intriguing same-price pivot from Clarkson. The veteran guard already lit up the Lakers for 42.8 fantasy points in his one previous game against them this season and is averaging a solid 28.3 fantasy points at home this season. He's also scored between 28.25 and 40 fantasy points in six of his last nine contests and faces a Lakers defense that's surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points (54.9) to point guards on the season and second-most (59.8) over the last 10. They've also yielded the most assists (10.2), highest field-goal percentage (46.2) and third-most three-pointers (2.6) to the position, furthering Beverley's case.
Buddy Hield, SAC at PHO ($4,600): The affordable tier has plenty to offer Wednesday as well, such as GPP-only options Bojan Bogdanovic ($4,500), Jordan Crawford ($4,300), Tony Snell ($4,200), J.J. Redick ($4,100), Allen Crabbe ($4,000), Matthew Dellavedova ($3,700), Austin Rivers ($3,500) and Monta Ellis ($3,500). While Hield might be the most expensive of that group, he may also carry the most upside, considering his current role and stretch of scoring between 26.75 and 31.5 fantasy points over the last three games. Hield has seen no less than 31 minutes in any of those games, as the Kings appear intent on giving the centerpiece of their return on DeMarcus Cousins plenty of run. He'll take on a Suns defense that's surrendered 44.4 fantasy points to two-guards on the season, along with the sixth-most points (22.0), sixth-highest field-goal percentage (44.2) and 2.8 made three-pointers per game.
Anthony Davis, NO at MIA ($10,400): Davis reminded the DFS world why rostering him can be a rollercoaster experience Wednesday when he exited the game against the Blazers with an ankle injury, but returned and played effectively after getting treatment. Assuming it didn't worsen overnight, he could be primed for an explosive game against a Heat defense that surrenders 50.5 fantasy points to centers on the season. Davis is one game removed from an 82.25-fantasy point night against the Hornets and he decimated the Heat for 68 fantasy points in his one previous game against them as well. DeMarcus Cousins' presence hasn't been a concern thus far either, as Davis is averaging 1.45 fantasy points per minute and sporting a 34.2 percent usage rage since Cousins' arrival.
David Lee, SA vs. POR ($5,500): For those with cash to spend, Gordon Hayward ($7,200), Dion Waiters ($7,100), the red-hot Marvin Williams ($6,500), Dirk Nowitzki ($6,200), T.J. Warren ($6,000) and James Johnson ($5,800) are all in play as well. However, Lee checks in as the cheapest of the group, should see a solid amount of run, and draws one of the best matchups in the league for power forwards. The Blazers have surrendered the third-most fantasy points (49.8) to power forwards. Lee is also averaging 1.04 DraftKings points per minute this season with LaMarcus Aldridge off the floor, providing him with the opportunity to return solid value.
Nemanja Bjelica, MIN at BOS ($4,400): Ryan Anderson ($4,900) and Thaddeus Young ($4,300) both make for interesting tournament plays as well given their matchup, but Bjelica has scored over 30 fantasy points in two of his last three and two additional occasions over the last seven. He also takes on a Celtics defense that's surrendered 48.4 fantasy points to power forwards on the season and 50.4 fantasy points to the position over the last five games.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at BOS ($10,900): There's not a lot of debate here, considering Towns has averaged 52.6 fantasy points over the last five, has cleared 60 fantasy points in two straight, already lit up the Celtics for 60 fantasy points once this season, and gets to face a squad that's yielded the fifth-most fantasy points (57.9) to centers over the last five games. However, for those in need of savings, DeMarcus Cousins ($9,500) and Hassan Whiteside ($8,100) make for excellent pivots as well.
Al Horford, BOS vs. MIN ($5,700): For those who need a few hundred in savings, Clint Capela ($5,500) has been very consistent as of late and draws an excellent matchup as well. Meanwhile, Horford went off for 44 fantasy points in his one game against the T-Wolves this season, has averaged 36.8 fantasy points at home, and has scored over 30 fantasy points in three of the last five games. He's underpriced for a matchup against Minnesota squad that surrenders 46.5 fantasy points to power forwards on the season, along with the fifth-most points (21.2).
Nene Hilario, HOU vs. LAL ($3,900): For those who forgo Capela, Hilario makes for a highly viable value option. He draws a Lakers defense that surrenders the second-most fantasy points (54.7) to centers on the season, along with bottom-10 figures across the rest of all the major categories. Nene has averaged 21.4 fantasy points against the Lakers over two games, and he's scored between 20.5 and 28.74 fantasy points in seven of the last 10 contests.
INJURY REPORT
For the latest news on injured players heading into the games, check out our Injury Updates page.
