This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets
The Knicks are a vastly improved squad overall, and their defense has played a substantial role in their resurgence. They're currently a top-10 squad in points allowed (99.5) and have notably held opponents under 100 points in four of their last six victories. Their matchup with the Nets sports one of the lowest expected totals of the night, as Brooklyn is in a state of disarray and could potentially be without one of their more reliable sources of offense in Joe Johnson (quadriceps). Interim coach Tony Brown's backcourt lineup shuffle Monday against the Spurs generated even worse results than the status quo, and Brooklyn continues to field the second-most anemic offense in the league, ahead of only the hapless Sixers. The Nets have scored under 100 points in seven straight games, and have incredibly failed to even hit the 80-point mark in three of their last four.
Offense To Use
Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Kings continue to light up scoreboards across the NBA, now behind only the high-octane Thunder and Warriors squads by averaging 106.5 points per game. They're back at full health, as even Omri Casspi will be available to play Wednesday after missing several games with a back injury. Sacramento has scored between 116 and 142 points in five consecutive games, a stretch that included missed games from Casspi and Rajon Rondo. Meanwhile, they'll face off against a Pelicans squad on the second half of a back-to-back that just took a loss at the hands of the short-handed Lakers, and that surrenders 105.7 points per game, third-worst in the league.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game: Warriors, Jazz, Kings
Second game: Pacers, Celtics, Knicks, Rockets, Bucks, Timberwolves, Thunder, Mavericks, Pelicans
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Jrue Holiday, NOP at SAC ($6,400):Michael Carter-Williams ($7,500) is also a viable option toward the higher end of the mid-tier Wednesday, but another productive player in a fantasy-fertile environment can be had for $1,100 less. Holiday is admittedly a bit of a dice roll, making him a nice GPP play for a reasonable price that will provide flexibility elsewhere. He continues to play solid minutes, and though he somewhat underwhelmed Tuesday, he still managed a fantasy-point-per-minute with 26.25 in 26 minutes. Holiday has been producing very well overall recently, as he'd scored 36.75, 29.0, 32.0 and 55.25 fantasy points, respectively, over the four games prior to Tuesday. He'll likely find himself in the middle of a fast-paced shootout with the Kings and will draw their third-worst defense against point guards in terms of fantasy points allowed per game this season (53.5). Sacramento has also been the second-most generous over the last 10 games, yielding an average of 59.6 fantasy points to the position over that span.
Other options: Russell Westbrook OKC vs. DAL ($10,700); Stephen Curry GSW at DEN ($10,600); John Wall WAS vs. MIL ($9,600); Michael Carter-Williams MIL at WASH ($7,500); Ricky Rubio MIN at HOU ($6,900)
Shooting Guard
Khris Middleton, MIL at WAS ($6,800):Tyreke Evans (who's designated as a shooting guard on DraftKings but lines up at the point) and Klay Thompson (with Draymond Green potentially being rested Wednesday) are very appealing options, but you'll have to fork over $8,200 to nab either. However, for a $1,400 savings, Middleton draws almost as enticing a matchup as that pair and also comes into Wednesday night hot, fresh off a game-winning fade-away jumper over Jimmy Butler on Tuesday. Middleton has scored between 37.75 and 45.0 fantasy points in three of his last four, and he had a pair of 50-plus fantasy point outings at the end of December, giving us a glimpse at his ceiling. The Wizards continue to struggle against opposing two-guards, surrendering 43.5 fantasy points per game to the position over the last five. On a team that's struggled to find scoring at times this season, Middleton has taken charge and averaged just under 18 shot attempts per game over the last four.
Other options: James Harden HOU vs. MIN ($9,700); Klay Thompson GSW at DEN ($8,200); Tyreke Evans NO at SAC ($8,200); Andrew Wiggins MIN at HOU ($6,500)
Small Forward
Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs. GSW ($7,100):Rudy Gay ($6,900) presents another appealing alternative at small forward Wednesday, but Gallinari edges him out as a top mid-tier play based on recent performance and the strong likelihood that he'll be chucking it the majority of game in an effort to keep pace with the Warriors. The 27-year-old has been on fire since returning from a recent ankle injury, scoring between 34.75 and 44.75 fantasy points over his first five games back. He's also put up a robust 18 shots in three of those contests, including the Nuggets' most recent game Sunday against the Hornets when he netted 38.5 fantasy points. The Warriors rank as a bottom-10 defense against small forwards in terms of fantasy points allowed per game, and Gallinari figures to remain aggressive throughout all four quarters.
Other options: Kevin Durant OKC vs. DAL ($9,800); Paul George IND at BOS ($8,900); Nicolas Batum CHA vs. ATL ($7,500); Rudy Gay SAC vs. NOP ($6,900); Otto Porter WAS vs. MIL ($6,700)
Power Forward
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK at BKN ($7,000): Porzingis remains underpriced for the outstanding across-the-stat-sheet production he continues to generate. He claimed the Boston Celtics as his latest victim Tuesday, amassing 46.0 fantasy points on the strength of 26 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals. That followed a Sunday tilt against the Bucks in which he scored 36.5 fantasy points that was partly comprised of another five rejections. The secondary stats continue to serve as a terrific supplement to the rookie's fantasy production, and he'll draw a matchup against a fading Thaddeus Young and vulnerable Brooklyn frontcourt Wednesday. The Nets have allowed 49.6 fantasy points per game over their last 10 - and 51.0 over their last five - to opposing power forwards.
Other options: DeMarcus Cousins SAC vs. NOP ($10,500); Paul Millsap ATL at CHA ($8,300); Chris Bosh MIA at LAC ($7,900); Nene Hilario WAS vs. MIL ($4,100)
Center
Al Horford, ATL at CHA ($7,200): It's a great night in the upper tier of the center position, and three very attractive options loom in the upper $6K to lower $7K range: Horford, Dwight Howard and Greg Monroe. As the tie-breaker, we're going with the guy with the most rest and gaudiest fantasy point-total in his most recent game. Horford enters Wednesday rested after three full days off, and on the heels of an astounding 66.5 fantasy points Saturday against the Bulls. His selection is not a matter of chasing that performance either, as he also had 58.5, 43.5 and 46.25 fantasy points in three of the four games prior to that one, and he has posted four double-doubles in four of the last six. Meanwhile, the Hornets have been exceedingly vulnerable in the frontcourt during Al Jefferson's injury absence, having surrendered 55.7 fantasy points per game over their last 10 - and an even more generous 58.5 over their last five - to opposing centers.
Other options: DeAndre Jordan LAC vs. MIA ($8,000); Dwight Howard HOU vs. MIN ($7,300); Greg Monroe MIL at WAS ($6,800); Karl-Anthony Towns MIN at HOU ($6,600); Zaza Pachulia DAL at OKC ($6,300); Ian Mahinmi IND at BOS ($5,000); Robin Lopez NYK at BKN ($5,000)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Al Jefferson (knee)
Jerryd Bayless (ankle)
Greivis Vasquez (ankle)
Cleanthony Early (knee)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle)
Chris McCullough (ankle)
Jarrett Jack (knee)
Nikola Pekovic (rest)
Ty Lawson (suspension)
Donatas Motiejunas (back)
Sam Dekker (back)
Kevon Looney (hip)
Wilson Chandler (hip)
Alec Burks (leg)
Quincy Pondexter (knee)
Duje Dukan (leg)
Eric Moreland (foot)
Blake Griffin (quadriceps)
Game-Time Decision
Jeff Teague (ankle)
Thabo Sefolosha (wrist)
Kris Humphries (knee)
Marcin Gortat (knee)
Carmelo Anthony (ankle)
Joe Johnson (quadriceps)
Rodney Stuckey (foot)
Shaun Livingston (rest)
Andre Iguodala (rest)
Draymond Green (rest)
James McAdoo (toe)
Jameer Nelson (hip)
Derrick Favors (back)
Anthony Davis (back)
James Anderson (hamstring)
Willie Cauley-Stein (finger)
Josh McRoberts (knee)
Hassan Whiteside (knee)
DeAndre Jordan (illness)
