This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Turkey Day Eve brings us a robust 12-game slate, with a full selection of high-priced trimmings on the menu. Although plenty of elite options exist, including Anthony Davis, James Harden, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant, we'll steer clear of the most obvious plays and highlight some of the abundant mid-tier values that will allow you the room to roster some of those superstars.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Spurs unsurprisingly sport one of the best defenses in the NBA again this season, and check in as the top-ranked unit in average points allowed (91.0). They're also trending upward, having held opponents to under 100 points five out of the last six games. They enjoy the added advantage of being at home and facing a Mavericks squad that has been uncharacteristically turnover-prone over the last two games.
Offense To Use
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Thunder are second in the NBA with a healthy scoring average of 109.8 points per game. Meanwhile, the Nets have proven to be quite generous in that regard, surrendering 104.4 points per game. Kevin Durant also returned from a hamstring injury Monday after a six-game absence and didn't miss a beat, tallying 27 points right out of the gate. OKC has proven to be particularly lethal whenever Durant plays, and they appear primed for a prolific performance against a vulnerable opponent at home.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game: None
Second game: Wizards, Celtics, Hawks, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Clippers
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Ish Smith at PHO ($6,200): Smith has been a highly pleasant surprise in a woeful season for the Pelicans, as he has been afforded solid playing time whether Jrue Holiday has been active or not. Smith played at least 30 minutes in four straight games, topping out at 38 versus Denver on Nov. 17. Smith has also scored at least 30.25 fantasy points in each of those games, and has amassed 42.5 and 47.25 over his last two, respectively. Meanwhile, he draws a Suns defense that has provided little resistance against point guards overall, surrendering an average of 23.8 actual points per game to the position.
Other options:Russell Westbrook vs. BKN ($11,300); Chris Paul vs. UTA ($8,500); Kyle Lowry vs. CLE ($8,500); Brandon Knight vs. NOP ($8,200); Isaiah Thomas vs. PHI ($7,700); Kemba Walker ($7,400) vs. WAS
Shooting Guard
Bradley Beal at CHA ($6,600): Beal had a solid game Tuesday, tallying 20 points over 35 minutes in his second game back from a shoulder injury. The performance should have served to finish working off any rustiness that the Wizards guard had from his recent two-week absence. Beal is priced as a relative bargain Wednesday, considering he'd tallied at least 32.5 DK fantasy points in five consecutive games to open the season before he injured his shoulder. His matchup versus a Hornets defense surrendering an average of 40 fantasy points and 20.7 actual points per game to the shooting guard position only serves to make this a more tantalizing spot to nab him.
Other options:James Harden vs. MEM ($10,300); DeMar DeRozan vs. CLE ($7,200), Andrew Wiggins vs. ATL ($7,100); Dwyane Wade at DET ($6,900); Avery Bradley vs. PHI ($5,900)
Small Forward
Rudy Gay at MIL ($7,000): Gay seems to be perpetually priced in the $6,800-$7,000 range, and he provides solid value at that cost in virtually every game. The veteran small forward made a strong return to the lineup Monday after a one-game absence due to a strained shoulder, showing no ill effects while posting a massive 28-point, 10-rebound double-double that was good for 43.5 fantasy points. He draws a willing opponent Wednesday as well, with Milwaukee giving up an average of 43.3 fantasy points and 20.1 actual points to small forwards. The clincher here is that DeMarcus Cousins is doubtful for Wednesday's contest with a back injury, setting the stage for the typical breakout performance Gay often produces when his frontcourt mate is sidelined.
Other options:LeBron James at TOR ($10,100), Kevin Durant vs. BKN ($9,600), Kawhi Leonard vs. DAL ($8,400); Carmelo Anthony at ORL ($8,400)
Power Forward
Kristaps Porzingis at ORL ($7,000): The Porzingis legend is seemingly growing with every game, and rightfully so. The previously-maligned draft pick has been proving doubters wrong the majority of nights this season, and he comes into Wednesday night's game against Orlando having posted 46.75, 59.5 and 47.5 fantasy points in three of his last four contests. Porzingis can seemingly fill out the stat sheet in every category, even providing a three-pointer or two in almost every game this season. He is quickly becoming one of the Knicks' leading scoring options and doesn't figure to have too much trouble against a Magic defense that has yielded an average of 48.2 fantasy points to power forwards this season. Meanwhile, he represents a savings of over $3,000 compared to top-priced stud Anthony Davis and also checks in over $2,000 less than Blake Griffin.
Other options:Anthony Davis at PHO ($10,800); Blake Griffin vs. UTA ($9,300); Kevin Love vs. TOR ($8,300); Chris Bosh at DET ($7,700); Ryan Anderson at PHO ($6,500)
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns vs. ATL ($7,400): Towns has proven to be a solid play in both cash games and tournaments this season, but his clunker Monday versus fellow rookie Jahlil Okafor may scare some people off him in GPPs on Wednesday. For those that bite the bullet, the risk could be well worth it. Towns figures to be motivated for a bounce-back performance and will be in a prime spot to do so. Despite their reputation for solid defense, the Hawks have been a revolving door against opposing centers this season. Atlanta enters Wednesday's game surrendering a whopping 52.2 fantasy points and 22.4 actual points per game to opposing centers, ranking them in the bottom five in the league in both categories. Towns undeniably has the ability to exploit such a weakness, and had posted at least 37 fantasy points in three consecutive games prior to his outlier Monday.
Other options:Andre Drummond vs. MIA ($9,400); Hassan Whiteside at DET ($8,300); Al Horford at MIN ($7,000); Jahlil Okafor at BOS ($6,900)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Alan Anderson (ankle)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (shoulder)
Nikola Pekovic (Achilles)
C.J. Watson (calf)
Tony Wroten (knee)
Kendall Marshall (knee)
Carl Landry (wrist)
Richaun Holmes (hamstring)
Marcus Smart (knee)
Brandon Jennings (Achilles)
Jodie Meeks (foot)
Timofey Mozgov (shoulder)
Kyrie Irving (knee)
Iman Shumpert (wrist)
Mo Williams (ankle)
Jonas Valanciunas (hand)
Jordan Adams (knee)
Brandan Wright (knee)
Jarell Martin (foot)
Sam Dekker (back)
Kent Bazemore (ankle)
Tiago Splitter (hip)
Willie Reed (thumb)
Chris McCullough (knee)
Donatas Motiejunas (back)
Norris Cole (ankle)
Quincy Pondexter (knee)
Kendrick Perkins (pectoral)
Game-Time Decision
Nicolas Batum (illness)
Troy Daniels (personal)
Nik Stauskas (knee)
Hassan Whiteside (illness)
Luol Deng (hamstring)
Amar'e Stoudemire (illness)
Zach Randolph (knee)
Dwight Howard (rest)
DeMarcus Cousins (back)
Nemanja Bjelica (knee)
Mitch McGary (ankle)
Devin Harris (rest)
LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle)
Tyreke Evans (knee)
Rudy Gobert (tailbone)
Pablo Prigioni (illness)
Patrick Beverley (ankle)
