This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Chicago Bulls, vs. Brooklyn Nets: The Nets will be resting six players Wednesday, including principal sources of offense Jeremy Lin and Brook Lopez. That should clear the path for a dominant performance by the Bulls, which have already held Brooklyn to under 100 points in two of three prior meetings this season and give up the seventh-least points (102.8) per game in the NBA.
Offense To Use
Los Angeles Clippers, vs. Sacramento Kings: A number of offenses could potentially go off Wednesday with so many teams resting players and the Clippers seem like as good a bet as any to light up the scoreboard. They'll be vying to secure the No. 4 seed in the West and have already scored 121 points in one of their prior games against the Kings this season. Sacramento surrenders 106.6 points per game and a 46.1 percent success rate from the field, while the Clippers are scoring at the sixth-highest clip (108.6 points per game) in the league.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: None
Second game of a back-to-back: Hawks, Thunder, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Mavericks, Pelicans, Lakers, Kings
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Isaiah Thomas, BOS vs. MIL ($8,400): With most of the top-tier options having nothing to play for and therefore possibly sitting, it basically comes down to Chris Paul ($8,800) and Thomas as far as elite guards that should be involved for the majority of their respective games. The former makes for a strong play as well but I'll give Thomas the slight nod with his price being $400 less. The Bucks have already announced they'll be resting four players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Boston is gunning for the No. 1 seed, so Thomas, who's already averaged 53.5 fantasy points in two games against Milwaukee this season, should find little resistance to a strong night.
Jeff Teague, IND vs. ATL ($6,700): Buddy Hield ($6,300) is an appealing option for those who need to save a few hundred, but the Pacers remain locked in a three-way battle for the final two spots in the Eastern Conference with the Bulls and Heat. That should guarantee Teague plenty of minutes in a matchup against a Hawks squad that he's already averaged 38.5 fantasy points against in two games this season, and that surrenders the seventh-most fantasy points (53.9) on the season to point guards. Furthermore, with their own playoff seeding locked up, Atlanta could well rest Dennis Schroder and other starters Wednesday.
J.J. Redick, LAC vs. SAC ($4,800): To be clear, there should be plenty of value opening up at the lower tier at each position throughout the day as teams potentially announce their plans to rest starters. Therefore, while it will be advisable to keep your eyes peeled on the news, we'll go with more of a safer option in Redick, whose team will be fighting to ensure a win and the No. 4 seed in the West. Redick has averaged 31.3 fantasy points over two prior games against the Kings this season on 56 percent shooting from the field and 64.7 percent from three-point range. He's also scored over 30 fantasy points in three of his last six games and over 20 in another over that span. Meanwhile, Sacramento surrenders the most fantasy points (47.3) on the season to shooting guards, along with the second-most points (23.0) and most three-pointers (3.5) per contest as well.
Paul George, IND vs. ATL ($9,700): Jimmy Butler ($10,200) is extremely tempting against the Nets, but my slight concern there is that the game could turn into a blowout rather quickly and he's carrying a five-figure price. He certainly makes for a viable tournament play regardless, but George, who's $500 cheaper, has been flashing just as much upside and is also in a must-win scenario. The Pacers star has averaged 42.1 fantasy points over two prior games against the Hawks this season and has scored between 44.0 and 77.25 fantasy points in his last six games. The Hawks check in surrendering the second-most fantasy points (48.5) to small forwards on the season, along with the third-most points (21.8), fifth-most rebounds (8.3), second-most assists (3.7), third-most steals (1.8) and most three-pointers (2.6).
James Johnson, MIA vs. WAS ($6,900): Johnson and the Heat will be gunning for a win and possible playoff spot against a Wizards squad that is likely to rest or limit the minutes of some starters, and that already surrender the fifth-most fantasy points (49.0) to power forwards on the season, along with the fourth-most points (21.1), fifth-most three-pointers (1.7) and second-highest field-goal percentage (49.3). Johnson has averaged 30.3 fantasy points against Washington over three prior games this season while shooting 61.3 percent, and he's also scored between 31.0 and 49.75 fantasy points in his last four contests.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, PHI at NY ($5,900): As with the guard spot, there will likely be plenty of affordable options that will come to light as tip-off nears Wednesday night, but Luwawu-Cabarrot remains a value despite a recent boost in price. He's averaged 32.0 fantasy points in his last five games while averaging a robust 35.4 minutes over that span, and he's scored between 30.25 and 37.75 fantasy points in three of his last four contests. The Knicks have been vulnerable to two-guards (where Luwawu-Cabarrot typically plays) all season, surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points (44.9) to the position on the season, including the fifth-most (50.7) over the last five games.
For those looking for cheaper alternatives, Taurean Prince ($4,900), Caris LeVert ($4,200), Henry Ellenson ($4,100), Troy Williams ($3,800) and Juancho Hernangomez ($3,000) may all be the beneficiaries of extra run Wednesday.
Blake Griffin, LAC vs. SAC ($8,400): Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,300) looms large at the top of the center pool Wednesday, and he's already averaged 67.3 fantasy points over three games against the Rockets this season. As with Butler, however, the concern is whether he'll be out there for a full allotment of minutes and/or whether Houston will field a team that will facilitate a blowout. Meanwhile, Griffin and the Clippers are gunning to ensure the No. 4 seed, and his price carries notably lesser risk. He's already 40.9 fantasy points in two previous games against the Kings this season, scored between 46.25 and 56.5 fantasy points in a four-game stretch in late March/early April, and faces a Sacramento team that's surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points (48.7) on the season to power forwards, including the second-most (53.5) over the last 10 contests.
Willy Hernangomez, NY vs. PHI ($5,500): Hernangomez exploded for 52.25 fantasy points against the Raptors on Sunday, and he's scored no less than 22.0 fantasy points over the last 10 games. The Sixers are also the worst team against centers across the board, surrendering the most fantasy points (57.8) to the position on the season, including over the last 10 games (62.7). They're also ranked worse or in the bottom 10 in virtually every other category against the position.
Boban Marjanovic ($5,300) is another option at this level, but it's uncertain how many minutes he'll receive and he's also seen a notable price increase.
Alexis Ajinca, NO at POR ($4,600): Montrezl Harrell ($4,100), Georgios Papagiannis ($3,800) and Ajinca's teammate Cheick Diallo ($3,600) are other viable options if you need to save a few dollars at this level, but Ajinca should once again draw the start after scoring between 26.0 and 29.0 fantasy points in the last three games with the first unit. The veteran big man has proven capable of providing solid production in under 30 minutes, and he'll face a Blazers squad that will likely be playing without much motivation and that's been notably more vulnerable to centers since Jusuf Nurkic's leg injury, surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points (57.6) to the position over the last five games.
INJURY REPORT
For the latest news on injured players heading into the games, check out our Injury Updates page.
