This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers
The Raptors and Spurs also shape up as fine defensive units in good matchups at home on Wednesday, but neither club faces an opponent as inept as the Sixers. The Hornets reside just outside the top 10 in points allowed per game (100.2), and the fact they're on a second game of a back-to-back is largely irrelevant. Charlotte cruised in a blowout of the Suns on Tuesday, and the majority of the starting five played fewer than 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the book on this season's Sixers has long been written, and they continue to rank last in points scored (96.4) and turnovers committed per game (16.9). They also could well be without standout rookie Jahlil Okafor again, as he continues to nurse a bruised shin.
Offense To Use
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets
Although the sieve-like defensive units of the Kings and Lakers are on the schedule, neither the Grizzlies nor the Danilo Gallinari-less (and potentially Kenneth Faried-less) Nuggets figure to have the firepower to fully capitalize on the situation. The Pelicans have their own injury concern in the form of Anthony Davis' sprained toe, but he is listed as probable. Even if Davis were to sit, super-sub Ryan Anderson has proven more than capable of explosive production when called upon, and the Rockets allow the third-most points per game (107.1). Their power forward defense also ranks as the league's worst in fantasy points (51.9), points (23.9) and field-goal percentage (51.5) allowed per game, particularly ominous numbers when facing off against the Brow or Anderson.
Teams on a Back-to-Backs
First game: Spurs, Pelicans, Kings, Thunder
Second game: Bulls, Magic, Hornets, Trail Blazers, Lakers
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
D'Angelo Russell, LAL at DEN ($5,800): A host of the top-tier point guards are in action Wednesday, and besides the always dynamic Russell Westbrook ($11,200) and Chris Paul ($9,800) in a matchup against each other, John Wall ($9,700) also stands out as a terrific option in the upper tier. However, Russell showed his solid upside by scoring 55.5 fantasy points against the Nets on Tuesday. He also had 32.75 and 40.00 fantasy points in the two games prior to Tuesday, and he faces a Nuggets defense giving up the eighth-most fantasy points (51.4), eighth-most points (22.4), fourth-most rebounds (5.8) and most three-pointers (2.6) to point guards this season.
Other options: Russell Westbrook, OKC at LAC ($11,200); Chris Paul, LAC vs. OKC ($9,800); John Wall, WAS at MIN ($9700); Damian Lillard, POR at BOS ($9,500); Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. UTA ($8,400); Kemba Walker, CHA at PHI ($8,100); Jrue Holiday, NOP at HOU ($7800); Isaiah Thomas, BOS vs. POR ($7,400); Mike Conley, MEM vs. SAC ($7,200); Derrick Rose, CHI vs. ORL ($7,000); Jordan Clarkson, LAL at DEN ($6,000)
Shooting Guard
Khris Middleton, MIL vs. IND ($7,500): Middleton has enjoyed a breakout campaign and has been trending even better recently, having scored 40.00, 33.50, 33.50, 41.25, 42.25 and 51.25 fantasy points in his six games, respectively. He wasn't exactly slacking before that point either, scoring between 30.50 and 57.50 fantasy points in the four games leading up to the intermission. Middleton contributes across the stat sheet in addition to providing steady scoring, collecting multiple steals in eight of his last 10 games and averaging 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game over that span.
Other options: James Harden, HOU vs. NOP ($10,400); DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. UTA ($7,400); Victor Oladipo, ORL vs. CHI ($7,300); Nicolas Batum, CHA at PHI ($6,900); Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. WAS ($6,300); Monta Ellis, IND at MIL ($6,100); Will Barton, DEN vs. LAL ($6,000); Jamal Crawford, LAC vs. OKC ($5,700); Zach LaVine, MIN vs. WAS ($5,500)
Small Forward
Paul George, IND at MIL ($8,600):For those looking for more of a mid-tier option at small forward, consider Trevor Ariza ($6,100) in what should be a fast-paced matchup versus the Pelicans. When it comes to the upper tier, however, George gets the call, with several of the other top small forwards (Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo) in tougher matchups. George draws the Greek Freak, who'll undoubtedly keep him busy on defense, but who has struggled defensively this season. The Bucks surrender the sixth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards this season (42.8), including the seventh-most over the last five (46.8). They've also yielded the sixth-most points (20.3), third-most assists (4.0), second-most steals (1.9), second-most blocks (0.8) and second-most three-pointers (2.6) per game to the position.
Other options: Kevin Durant, OKC at LAC ($10,200); Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. IND ($7,900); Kawhi Leonard, SAS vs. DET ($7,700); Gordon Hayward, UTA at TOR ($6,900); Trevor Ariza, HOU vs. NOP ($6100)
Power Forward
Jabari Parker, MIL vs. IND ($6,700): Parker shapes up as the premier selection in his price range Wednesday. He'll draw a Pacers frontcourt defense that has allowed 46.1 fantasy points per game to pwoer forwards over their last 10, which is almost four points per game higher than their season average. Meanwhile, Parker has been one of the league's hottest players after breaking out of a slump just before the All-Star break, scoring between 33.5 and 50.5 fantasy points in six of his last seven, and a solid 22.75 in the other game over that span.
Other options: DeMarcus Cousins SAC at MEM ($10,600); Anthony Davis NOP at HOU ($10,100); Zach Randolph, MEM vs. SAC ($7,000); LaMarcus Aldridge, SAS vs. DET ($6,900); Aaron Gordon, ORL vs. CHI ($6900); Julius Randle, LAL at DEN ($6,200); Ryan Anderson, NOP at HOU ($6,100); Marvin Williams, CHA at PHI ($6,000)
Center
Dwight Howard, HOU vs. NOP ($7,600): Of the four centers priced higher than Howard, Nikola Vucevic ($8,000) draws perhaps the best matchup against the highly vulnerable Bulls defense, certainly making him worthy of consideration. However, Howard checks in $400 cheaper and with a highly appealing opponent in his own right, as he'll face off against a Pelicans defense surrendering the second-most fantasy points (53.3), fourth-most points (21.9), fifth-most rebounds (15.3) and third-most blocks (2.8) per game to centers this season. Howard has also been producing handsomely over the last 10 games, scoring between 27.5 and 49.25 fantasy points over that span, including between 43.0 and 48.25 in three of the last four.
Other options: Pau Gasol, CHI at ORL ($8,700); Karl-Anthony Towns MIN vs. WAS ($8,500); Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. CHI ($8,000); Andre Drummond, DET at SAS ($7,800); Marcin Gortat, WAS at MIN ($7,100); Jared Sullinger, BOS vs. POR ($6,000); Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. LAL ($5,600); Al Jefferson, CHA at PHI ($4,800); Mason Plumlee, POR vs. BOS ($4,800)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Taj Gibson (hamstring)
Jimmy Butler (knee)
Nikola Mirotic (appendectomy)
Evan Fournier (wrist)
Spencer Hawes (back)
Kelly Olynyk (shoulder)
Alec Burks (leg)
DeMarre Carroll (knee)
Eric Moreland (foot)
Jordan Adams (knee)
Brandan Wright (knee)
C.J. Miles (calf)
Greivis Vasquez (ankle)
John Henson (back)
Gary Neal (thigh)
Nemanja Bjelica (foot)
Kevin Garnett (knee)
Nikola Pekovic (Achilles)
Spencer Dinwiddie (ankle)
Stanley Johnson (shoulder)
Jodie Meeks (foot)
Anthony Tolliver (knee)
Manu Ginobili (groin)
Lou Williams (hamstring)
Danilo Gallinari (ankle)
Austin Rivers (hand)
Blake Griffin (hand)
Game-Time Decision
Hollis Thompson (illness)
Jahlil Okafor (shin)
James Young (calf)
Trevor Booker (personal)
Anthony Davis (toe)
Clint Capela (ankle)
Rajon Rondo (thumb)
Rudy Gay (shoulder)
Seth Curry (foot)
Tony Allen (knee)
Michael Carter-Williams (knee)
Alan Anderson (rest)
Gorgui Dieng (personal)
Matt Bonner (calf)
Kobe Bryant (shoulder)
Jameer Nelson (wrist)
Kenneth Faried (back)
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (eye)
