This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies: This could well be the lowest-scoring game of the night given the two solid defenses in play, as well as the Clippers' offensive limitations due to injury. Either unit is therefore probably a stay-away, but I'll give the slight edge to the home squad, which is facing a Memphis team that's scored the third-fewest points (98.6) per night, and that's also posting the lowest shooting percentage (42.3) in the league. The Grizzlies are also on the second game of a back-to-back, furthering the case for the Clippers.
Offense To Use
Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers: The Warriors look to be in the flat-out best situation as far as offense goes Wednesday, given their home matchup against a Blazers squad that's yielded 110.9 points per game and a 45.7 percent success rate from the field this season. The Warriors continue to lead the league by scoring points at a clip of 117.3 per night, and check in to the contest at full health.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Hornets, Hawks, Thunder, Blazers
Second game of a back-to-back: Grizzlies, Heat, Kings
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at NY ($10,400): Russell Westbrook ($12,600) is naturally in play, but for $2,200 cheaper you could potentially assure yourself of very similar upside with Antetokounmpo, who's scored no less than 43.25 fantasy points in his last 10 games, and has been at 50 or greater four times, over 60 twice and over 70 once over that span. He also draws one of the most tantalizing matchups in the league for two-guards, as the Knicks have given up the third-most fantasy points (44.3) and most rebounds (6.8) per game to the position.
Victor Oladipo, OKC at CHA ($5,500): Oladipo has looked strong since returning from a lengthy absence due to a wrist injury, tallying 23.0 and 33.25 fantasy points, respectively, in the two games he's played. He's encouragingly gone 11-of-21 from the field over that span, helping to allay any concerns about lingering issues from the injury. His price is likely to be on the way up in the coming days if he continues producing in similar fashion, so a Wednesday matchup against a Hornets team that's given up the fifth-most fantasy points (44.1), second-most rebounds (6.2), third-most assists (4.6) and second-most three-pointers (3.4) to shooting guards seems like a prudent time to jump on him at his bargain price.
Tim Hardaway, Jr., ATL at ORL ($3,600): The affordable tier can always be a bit of a crapshoot, and for a few hundred more than Hardaway, there are other appealing options such as Darren Collison ($4,500), Jodie Meeks ($4,400), Allen Crabbe ($4,200), Jeremy Lamb ($4,100) and Courtney Lee ($3,800). However, the Hawks guard is the cheapest of this group and offers a nice ceiling for his price, as evidenced most recently by the 39.25 fantasy points he produced on New Year's Day against the Spurs. He's also tallied over 30 fantasy points in two other games over the last 10, as well as 24.25 in another contest during that span. Therefore, he's certainly capable of providing a 10x return on his current salary, making him a worthy punt for those needing to save some cash.
Kevin Durant, GS vs. POR ($9,600): LeBron James ($10,500) is always worthy of consideration, but he's currently battling the flu and is $900 more expensive than Durant, who surprisingly remains priced under five figures. While he mustered "only" 31.25 fantasy points against the Nuggets on Monday, Durant had scored between 46.0 and 65.75 fantasy points in seven of the previous nine games. He's also averaging 50.1 fantasy points at home this season, and the Blazers have given up the eighth-most fantasy points (43.4), most rebounds (9.1) and third-highest field-goal percentage (46.9) to small forwards. For those who can't quite fit Durant into their budgets Wednesday, his teammate Draymond Green ($7,500) makes for an excellent alternative, considering the Blazers continue to surrender the most fantasy points (53.7) and points (23.6) to fours.
Serge Ibaka, ORL vs. ATL ($6,500): Ibaka has averaged a robust 32.6 fantasy points over his last four games, and has been over 40 fantasy twice and over 50 once in the last 10 contests overall. He's been heavily involved on offense during Evan Fournier's (heel) long absence, and the latter remains questionable for Wednesday's contest. Even if the talented two-guard does take the court, Ibaka has looked increasingly comfortable in the Magic offense as his first season in Orlando has unfolded, and is a strong candidate for another 5x-6x return Wednesday.
Vince Carter, MEM at LAC ($3,200): The ageless Carter keeps defying the odds and offering impressive production on a consistent basis at age 39. He's scored 19.5 to 23.25 fantasy points over the last three, and has seen over 20 minutes in five of the last six. With Chandler Parsons still on a significant minutes limit, Carter looks primed for some solid run against Wednesday.
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. MIA ($11,500): Despite the fact he'll be on the second game of a back-to-back, Cousins looks like the clear-cut top play at center Wednesday against a decimated Heat squad that is also playing for a second consecutive night. Cousins went for 51.0 fantasy points in a high-scoring affair against the Nuggets on Tuesday, his fifth straight game over the 50-fantasy point mark. Cousins has averaged a whopping 57.4 fantasy points in 14 home games this season, and should run roughshod over the likes of Luke Babbitt and Derrick Williams down low on Wednesday.
Dwight Howard, ATL at ORL ($7,300): Howard turned in a clunker against the Spurs on New Year's Day, posting just 17.0 fantasy points, but San Antonio is essentially the league's stingiest defense against centers. He'd scored 33.75 to 53.0 fantasy points in his six prior games, and could be primed for similar returns against a Magic defense that's the seventh-most fantasy-friendly (50.2) to centers. Orlando's defense also ranks in the bottom-10 in rebounds (15.2) and blocks (2.6). Howard generated 42.5 fantasy points against Orlando in the team's only previous meeting this season.
Willie Reed, MIA at SAC ($3,900): Reed will draw another start at center Wednesday with Hassan Whiteside (eye) not on the Heat's road trip and will try to build on the mammoth 54.5-fantasy point effort he generated Tuesday on the strength of a 22-point, 18-rebound double-double. He could be in line for another handsome return against a Kings defense that's given up the third-most fantasy points (61.0) to centers over the last five games, along with the most blocks (2.8) on the season.
INJURY REPORT
For the latest news on injured players heading into the games, check out our Injury Updates page.
