This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
San Antonio Spurs at Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks offense has struggled since trading away Brandon Knight. Since the trade, the Bucks are dead last in points per possession, and first in turnovers per game. The Spurs are on the second night of a back-to-back, and if they rest too many rotation pieces, that changes the situation. On the other hand, after the Spurs lost to the Knicks in overtime Tuesday - a loss coach Gregg Popovich called "pathetic" - the Spurs might be out for blood. A fully operational Spurs defense ought to make a mockery of this sputtering Bucks offense.
Offenses to Use
Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings
Last week, I pointed out that, since the All-Star break, the Kings are destroying the competition. They are absolutely running away with the "worst defense in the league" title. The ineptitude of the Kings was enough for me to recommend using the Hornets, a decidedly mediocre offense last week. On Wednesday, however, the Kings host one of the best offenses in the league. The Clippers will be somewhat short-handed, but that just increases the value of the bench players who will be thrust into an increased role.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz
Second game of a back-to-back: Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Dante Exum, UTA (vs WAS), PG, ($3,200): Exum has put together a nice string of games lately, topping 18 fantasy points per game in five straight. He's unlikely to blow anyone away, but he should be able to provide good-enough production while saving salary to spend elsewhere.
Other suggestions: Kyle Lowry, TOR (vs MIN), PG, ($7,400); Goran Dragic, MIA (vs POR), PG, ($6,300)
Shooting Guard
Justin Holiday, GS (vs ATL), SG, ($3,200): Holiday is the presumed starter after Tuesday's announcement that Klay Thompson will be out for at least a week. When given opportunities earlier this season, Holiday has impressed. As a minimum salary starter, he's a steal.
Other suggestions: JR Smith, CLE (vs BKN), SG, ($5,500)
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard, SA (at MIL), SF, ($8,600): His recent stats are strong, but it's the intangibles angle that really caught my eye Wednesday. Popovich was quite unhappy after Tuesday's loss. On Wednesday, Leonard will have a big role to play in helping to redeem this team, and to avoid the wrath of Popovich.
Other suggestions: Rodney Hood, UTAH (vs WAS), SF, ($4,600)
Power Forward
Nerlens Noel, PHI (vs DET), PF, ($7,400): Noel has all the things I look for in a daily pick: a salary cheaper than his recent production would predict, a stable role in the rotation, a favorable matchup, a high average fantasy points per minute (he's averaging 1.2 over his last four games, a strong number), and low night-to-night variation in productivity.
Other suggestions: Patrick Patterson, TOR (vs MIN), PF, ($3,600)
Center
Steven Adams, OKC (vs BOS), C, ($4,000): Adams is averaging 27.7 fantasy points per game over his last three outings, considerably more than is expected from someone costing just four grand. With Serge Ibaka (knee) out for the next 4-6 weeks, Adams should get some extra court time to beef up his box score.
Other suggestions: Justin Hamilton, MIN (at TOR), C, ($4,500); Andre Drummond, DET (at PHI), C, ($7,500)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Kyle Korver (nose)
Mike Scott (toe)
Thabo Sefolosha (calf)
Isaiah Thomas (back)
Jimmy Butler (elbow)
Taj Gibson (ankle)
Derrick Rose (knee)
Ognjen Kuzmic (shoulder)
Klay Thompson (ankle)
Paul George (leg)
Jamal Crawford (calf)
Jordan Hamilton (ankle)
Anthony Bennett (ankle)
Robbie Hummel (hand)
Jose Calderon (Achilles)
Cleanthony Early (ankle)
Tim Hardaway (wrist)
Kevin Durant (foot)
Serge Ibaka (knee)
Evan Fournier (hip)
Tobias Harris (ankle)
Devyn Marble (eye)
Joel Embiid (foot)
Darren Collison (hip)
Aron Baynes (ribs)
Manu Ginobili (ankle)
Elijah Millsap (concussion)
Garrett Temple (hamstring)
Game-Time Decision
Al Horford (rest) is expected to play Wednesday.
Kyrie Irving (quadriceps) is day-to-day.
Kevin Love (rest) is expected to play Wednesday.
Al-Farouq Aminu (shoulder) is a game-time decision.
J.J. Barea (illness) is questionable.
Greg Monroe (knee) is expected to play Wednesday.
Matt Barnes (hamstring) is a game-time decision after missing Tuesday's game.
James Ennis (hip) is a game-time decision.
Kevin Garnett (knee) is questionable.
Gary Neal (illness) is questionable.
Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is questionable.
Ricky Rubio (ankle) is expected to play Wednesday.
Jared Dudley (back) is a game-time decision after missing Tuesday's game.
O.J. Mayo (hamstring) is a game-time decision after missing Tuesday's game.
Willie Green (back) is a game-time decision after missing Tuesday's game
DeMarcus Cousins (calf) is questionable.
Rudy Gay (knee) is questionable.
Terrence Ross (back) is questionable.
Kris Humphries (groin) appears unlikely to play Wednesday, but no official update has yet been made.
