This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid:
Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
While the Spurs could rightfully occupy this spot any time they're on the slate, they draw a Wizards squad with some offensive punch. Meanwhile, the Hawks are up against the inept Sixers offense. Atlanta sports a solid defense themselves, surrendering 99.7 points per game, which ranks in the top half of the league. They're also on their home court where they've held opponents to under 100 points in six of their last 10 games. The Sixers check in as the most impotent offensive unit in the NBA by far, averaging only 90.6 points per game and scoring under 100 in five straight.
Offense To Use:
Golden State vs. Phoenix Suns
We'll go with the obvious call on this one, as the Warriors have too many factors in their favor Wednesday. Naturally, there's the fact that they're the top-ranked offense in the NBA, averaging a whopping 115.3 points per game. Then, we have to factor in a matchup against a Suns defense ranked 25th in points surrendered (105.0 per game), and in the bottom five in both field-goal percentage (46.7) and three-point percentage (37.5) allowed. Golden State will also be on their home floor and playing their first game since their perfect record was surprisingly tarnished by the Bucks last Saturday.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game: Hornets, Thunder
Second game: Bucks, Celtics, Timberwolves
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Stephen Curry, GSW vs. PHO ($10,700): Keeping with the theme of the highly favorable matchup that the Warriors draw Wednesday, Curry is the top choice at point guard despite the steep price tag. While the entire Golden State squad should have a bit of redemption on their minds, Curry's fierce competitive spirit figures to drive him even a little harder than usual. His recent fantasy point totals don't really need reciting, but the matchup against a highly porous Suns defense versus point guards is definitely worth noting. Phoenix checks in as a bottom-five unit versus the position, surrendering an average of 24.1 actual points and 52.6 fantasy points per game this season.
Other options: Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. POR ($10,400); John Wall WAS at SA ($9,500); Damian Lillard POR at OKC ($9,400); Kemba Walker CHA at ORL ($7,000); Zach LaVine MIN at NYK ($5,500)
Shooting Guard
C.J. McCollum, POR at OKC ($6,900): McCollum comes at a very reasonable price for a player that generates his levels of shot volume and production. One of the surest bets in the NBA this season has been the Blazers shooting guard uncorking at least 15 shots per game, an integral factor in McCollum averaging a healthy 32.9 fantasy points per game. He's also been between 31.5 and 42.25 fantasy points in six of his last seven, and he could see some added opportunity Wednesday with backcourt mate Damian Lillard bound to be heavily preoccupied with defending Russell Westbrook.
Other options: Eric Bledsoe, PHO at GSW ($8,400); Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. MEM ($7,500); Dwyane Wade, MIA at BKN ($6,800); Klay Thompson GSW vs. PHO ($6,600); Avery Bradley BOS at DET ($6,000); Wesley Matthews, DAL at IND ($5,800)
Small Forward
Kent Bazemore, ATL vs. PHI ($5,400): While Kawhi Leonard undeniably draws a terrific matchup Wednesday, Bazemore comes at a significant discount and appears likely to draw a second consecutive start if coach Mike Budenholzer's recent comments are to be believed. The 26-year-old played some of his best ball of the season during his extended opportunity versus the Heat on Monday, generating 41.75 fantasy points in 40 minutes. He'd also been coming on in his bench role recently, managing 30.75, 27.5 and 31.5 fantasy points, respectively, over a three-game stretch earlier in December. He finds the matchup in his favor Wednesday as well, with the Sixers checking in as a bottom-six defense versus small forwards in actual points (20.9) and fantasy points (41.6) allowed per game.
Other options: Kevin Durant, OKC vs. POR ($10,200); Paul George, DAL at IND ($9700); Kawhi Leonard, SAS vs. WAS ($8,600); Nicolas Batum, CHA at ORL ($7,600), Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at LAC ($6,900); Robert Covington, PHI at ATL ($6,800)
Power Forward
Chris Bosh, MIA at BKN ($7200):Blake Griffin draws a terrific matchup against a Bucks frontcourt that may be missing Greg Monroe, but Bosh comes $1,800 cheaper and is in a great spot as well. He draws a Nets frontcourt that has been increasingly generous to opposing power forwards, surrendering an average of 48.1 fantasy points per game to the position over their last 10. Meanwhile, he's also taken his play to another level over his last five. Outside of a 12.5-fantasy point clunker versus the Hornets when he played only 22 minutes, Bosh has posted 40.75, 43.5, 32.5 and 43.5 fantasy points in the other four games over that stretch.
Other options: Blake Griffin, LAC vs. MIL ($9,000); Paul Millsap, ATL vs. PHI ($8,000); Dirk Nowitzki, DAL at IND ($6,700); Serge Ibaka, OKC vs. POR ($6,000)
Center
Al Horford, ATL vs. PHI ($6,500): Horford represents another cost-effective way to take advantage of the Sixers. Despite Sixers rookie Jahlil Okafor's solid play, his defense is still a work in progress. Philadelphia is surrendering a healthy 51.6 fantasy points per game to the center position this season, including a robust 54.8 over their last five. Meanwhile, Horford continues to be as steady as ever, totaling 37.75, 37.50, 24.25, 25.75 and 33.00 fantasy points over his last five, respectively. While he's unlikely to give you the 45-50 fantasy point explosion that an Andre Drummond might, Horford's price tag offers you considerable flexibility elsewhere while still enabling you to have exposure against the worst team in the league.
Other options: Andre Drummond, DET vs. BOS ($9,100); Pau Gasol, CHI vs. MEM ($7,800); Marc Gasol, MEM at CHI ($7,400); Jahlil Okafor, PHI at ATL ($6,900); Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. CHA ($6,800); Hassan Whiteside MIA at BKN ($6,600)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Myles Turner (finger)
Al Jefferson (calf/suspension)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle)
Marcus Smart (leg)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (shoulder)
Brandon Jennings (Achilles)
Jodie Meeks (foot)
Nikola Pekovic (Achilles)
Nerlens Noel (eye)
Jordan Adams (knee)
Brandan Wright (knee)
Mike Dunleavy (back)
Chris Kaman (ankle)
Bradley Beal (lower leg)
Alan Anderson (ankle)
Nene Hilario (calf)
Drew Gooden (calf)
Quincy Pondexter (knee)
Joe Ingles (mouth)
Rudy Gobert (knee)
Harrison Barnes (ankle)
Jerryd Bayless (ankle)
Greivis Vasquez (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
Paul George (illness)
C.J. Watson (calf)
Tyler Johnson (shoulder)
Josh McRoberts (knee)
Kendall Marshall (rest)
Tony Allen (knee)
Greg Monroe (knee)
