This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
While some of the other sites are excluding some of the earlier games Wednesday night, DraftKings' featured slate will give you all nine contests on Wednesday, headlined by what should be an interesting rematch between the Clippers and the Rockets, where what happened after their last game was just as interesting as the game itself.
The Over/Under is set at 227, but the intangibles evident in this matchup demand some scrutiny from a fantasy perspective. The Clippers are on a back-to-back after a slugfest in Denver, and though Lou Williams and DeAndre Jordan have really been the only consistent options for the Clippers, there should be plenty of interesting platers to target on both sides of the ball. I have no boxing statistics for any players, so I can't give you a good prediction for the post-game festivities.
Teams on tail-end of back-to-back: Hornets, Wizards, Clippers, Bucks
The Wizards were on the ropes against the Bucks but managed to squeeze out a win, which is impressive considering their brutal schedule since the break. It's clear that they aren't the same team without John Wall, and they'll now have to contend with Golden State at home. Charlotte is another team that should be in trouble as they head up to Boston to face the Celtics. The Clippers are probably relishing the opportunity to see the Rockets again, so I don't expect fatigue to be a huge factor here.
Early Vegas lines favor the Warriors-Wizards game (226) and the Pelicans-Spurs matchup (219.) as fast-paced affairs, while the rest of the slate has lines hovering in the 210 range.
As we look at our high-priced unfadeables, the most interesting player to discuss is Anthony Davis ($11,700). His February has been simply massive, and in his last five games he's AVERAGED 78 DKFP per game. He reminds me of Russell Westbrook last year, where you were forced to just find a way to make room for him regardless of the matchup.
We're faced with that kind of quandary on Wednesday, as the Spurs have given him more trouble than any other team this season, and his best games against them occurred when he had DeMarcus Cousins alongside him. So, what to do? Well, I think your cash games have to include him, but due to what should be another night with high ownership for AD, I will likely be taking a risk and fading him in some of my tournament lineups, as I think a less-than-spectacular game for The Brow will be one way to get ahead of the field on this slate. I may regret those words, but like I said, I'll be fading him in SOME of my lineups.
A rested James Harden ($11,200) looks mighty attractive as a pivot to Davis against the Clippers. He wasn't present for the melee and post-game locker room invasion that occurred in their last meeting, but that won't lessen his motivation to stick it to the Clippers. My only hesitation with Harden is Chris Paul's ($8,300) even stronger motivation to exact revenge on his former team, but I think both should have their way at the Staples Center.
To round out the elites, another Davis pivot is Rusell Westbrook ($11,300), who's averaged 62 DKFP over three games against the Mavericks. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,500) is coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Wizards and hasn't met value against the Pistons yet this season, so I'm off him aside from a contrarian tournament add. Finally, Kevin Durant ($9,700) and Stephen Curry ($9.500) warrant consideration against a fatigued Wizards squad, with a nod to Durant, who's put up an average of 61 DKFP against Washington this season.
With those picks in mind, I'll now highlight three other players at each position, accompanied by an additional list that holds equal weight in my predictions. When possible, I will endeavor to include one deep value pick at each spot.
GUARDS
Devin Booker, PHO at MEM ($8,600): While Elfrid Payton will be a nightly threat to steal Booker's thunder, all Booker needs is a 45 DKFP game to beat value at his price and I think that'll be entirely doable against the Grizzlies. While he missed two of the three games they've played against Memphis, he put up 48 DKFP in the one he suited up for.
Kyle Lowry, TOR at ORL ($7,500): As long as Lowry stays at this level, he's a consistent candidate to absolutely crush value, and he'll face a favorable matchup against the Magic, who struggle to cover the point. These two teams have yet to butt heads so there is no sample size to pull from, but he'll be a solid cash game candidate on Wednesday.
Tyrone Wallace, LAC vs. HOU ($4,700): With Danilo Gallinari and Avery Bradley both sidelined, Wallace has stepped up and played well at the off-guard, and if he hits his projection he'll be a $180-per-point value, which can help put your lineup well on the way to a high score.
Other guards to consider:Chris Paul, HOU at LAC ($8,300); Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. CHA ($8,200); Andrew Harrison, MEM vs. PHO ($5,700); Cory Joseph, IND at ATL ($5,200)
FORWARDS
Blake Griffin, DET vs. MIL ($7,700): You can almost always count on the Bucks to underperform up front, and over the past five games they haven't disappointed as they're ranked 21st versus the position over that span. The Bucks will also be tired in this back-to-back after failing to put away the Wizards in the final seconds on Tuesday.
Tobias Harris, LAC vs. HOU ($7,700): As a new addition to this juicy plotline, Harris is set up to have a nice game, especially if Clint Capela's illness keeps him on the bench. Ryan Anderson is also out, so Harris should take it to Houston's vulnerable underbelly in this one.
Davis Bertans, SA vs. NO ($3,900):Pau Gasol is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game which once again opens the door for Bertans, who has been the primary beneficiary in his absence. He's completely a non-factor when Gasol plays, so he should be well-rested and ready to face Anthony Davis and Company in this matchup, which will be a pace-pusher for the usually slow Spurs.
Other forwards to consider:Draymond Green, GS at WAS ($7,200); Thaddeus Young, IND at ATL ($6,400); Nicolas Batum, CHA at BOS ($6,400); JaMychal Green, MEM vs. PHO ($5,400)
CENTERS
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. NO ($8,100): A quick look at Aldridge's stat lines confirms one thing: without Kawhi Leonard in the picture, Aldridge IS the Spurs' offense. He's not bad on the defensive end either, and his floor is rock-solid.
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. HOU ($7,600): As prolific as James Harden and Chris Paul are, they put up a lot of shots and miss their fair share. With Clint Capela potentially absent, Jordan will be underneath the basket to reap the benefits. Jordan's fantasy success lives and dies with the number of boards he can snag, and Wednesday's matchup looks like an ideal opportunity for him to rack them up.
Alex Len, PHO at MEM ($5,700): Those who skim over Len will shy away from his Monday point total, but his dreadful stat line was primarily due to getting into foul trouble early. With Tyson Chandler remaining out, he'll get enough to reach value at a position where it's often difficult to do with high-priced players all over the list.
Other centers to consider: Andre Drummond, DET vs. MIL ($9,600); Marc Gasol, MEM vs. PHO ($8,400); Frank Kaminsky, CHA at BOS ($4,400)
