Wednesday features a six-game NBA slate starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s dive in to some of the top plays, strategies, and injuries to monitor heading into lineup lock on DraftKings.
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Point Guard
Worth Paying Up For: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets ($10,700)
Doncic has yet to have a monster game this season, but one is clearly on the horizon. He’s on pace to post a new career-high in usage rate, and his current mark of 38.0% is the top mark in the league. He’s due for some positive shooting regression, and the Hornets seem like the perfect place for it to start.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Tyus Jones, Memphis Grizzlies @ Boston Celtics ($5,200)
The Grizzlies have a massive hole at PG with Ja Morant and De’Anthony Melton sidelined at the moment, and Jones is going to have to pick up the slack. He played 35 minutes off the bench in their last contest, and he should be looking at a similar workload today. He’s seen at least 30 minutes of playing time in 29 games as a professional, and he’s averaged 29.91 DKFP in those contests.
Lineup Strategy
Doncic stands out as arguably the best stud target on today’s slate, but he should command heavy ownership. I’m still looking to jam him in wherever possible, but Jones and Dejounte Murray ($6,100) stand out as solid values if you can’t find the salary. Murray is coming off a down performance, but he scored at least 42.0 DKFP in his first two contests.
Shooting Guard
Worth Paying Up For: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($8,500)
This is probably a tad expensive for George if the Clippers are at full strength, but he would become an excellent option if Kawhi Leonard ($9,300) is forced to miss his third straight game. George has increased his usage rate by about five percentage points with Leonard off the court this season, and he averaged 1.45 DKFP per minute last season in 10 games with Leonard out of the lineup.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks ($5,400)
Herro stands out as an elite value option with Jimmy Butler out of the lineup. He’s averaged 0.89 DraftKings points per minute with Butler off the court this season, and he’s averaged 33 minutes per game to start the season. He’s way too cheap at just $5,400.
Lineup Strategy
This seems like a good position to save some salary. You can certainly pay up for George if Leonard is inactive, but going with a value play feels like the best lineup construction. Herro is the obvious choice, but Bogdan Bogdanovic ($4,800) is a solid pivot. Grayson Allen ($3,600) and John Konchar ($3,000) should also see a solid handful of minutes for the shorthanded Grizzlies if you’re looking for a pure punt play.
Small Forward
Worth Paying Up For: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics vs. Memphis Grizzlies ($8,600)
Tatum took his game to another level in last year’s postseason, and he’s carried that production into the new year. He’s always been a gifted scorer, but he’s amped up his production in the rebound and assist categories. He’s averaged a stout 10.25 rebounds per game this season, and he’s handed out at least four assists in each of his past two games. If he can keep up that level of production in the peripheral categories, he has a chance to become a truly elite fantasy player this season.
That said, Tatum was a late addition to the injury report, so make sure to monitor his status using the DK Live App. If he’s unable to suit up, Jaylen Brown ($7,300) would become an excellent option as the Celtics’ offensive focal point.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Kyle Anderson, Memphis Grizzlies @ Boston Celtics ($6,000)
This is definitely a bit pricey for Anderson, but it still feels too cheap given his recent production. He’s scored at least 41.25 DKFP in back-to-back games, and he has the potential to take on a massive workload with Morant out of the lineup. He’s increased his usage rate by about seven percentage points and his assist rate by eight percentage points with Morant off the court this season, so he has the potential to put up huge numbers in his absence.
Lineup Strategy
The midrange feels like the sweet spot at small forward today. Anderson stands out as my favorite combination given his floor and ceiling, but DeMar DeRozan ($6,900) and Gordon Hayward ($7,200) also stand out as excellent options. If you are looking for a cheaper option, Derrick Jones Jr. ($3,600) has played at least 36 minutes for the Blazers in back-to-back games. He hasn’t done much in those contests, but that’s a lot of playing time for such a minimal salary.
Power Forward
Worth Paying Up For: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks @ Miami Heat ($10,800)
Antetokounmpo has yet to deliver a massive fantasy performance this season, but he frankly hasn’t had many opportunities. The Bucks have played in three straight blowouts, including last night’s dominant victory over the Heat. Still, Giannis remains the best producer in fantasy on a per-minute basis, so you know the monster performance is right around the corner. He’s scored at least 57.25 DKFP in the two games where he’s played at least 32 minutes, so the only thing stopping him at the moment is a lack of playing time.
Best Bang For Your Buck: PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets @ Dallas Mavericks ($5,400)
Washington has delivered at least 37.0 DKFP in back-to-back games, and he should continue to see a ton of playing time in the Hornets’ frontcourt. Cody Zeller will miss at least the next four weeks with an injury, and Washington has seen minutes at both power forward and center in his absence. The additional minutes at center give him added upside on the glass, which is huge for his fantasy value.
Lineup Strategy
You can go a bunch of different directions at power forward today. Antetokounmpo and Washington are both excellent options, and you can also roster Tatum, DeRozan, or Hayward here given their multi-position eligibility. It’s also hard to ignore Kevin Durant ($8,400) at such a cheap price tag. He hasn’t scored more than 43.0 DKFP in a game this season, but he is coming off 36 minutes in his last contest. He’s going to crush his price tag in the near future if he continues to see that much playing time.
Center
Worth Paying Up For: Jonas Valanciunas, Memphis Grizzlies @ Boston Celtics ($7,700)
Valanciunas has always been an elite producer on a per-minute basis, and he’s played a career-high 33 minutes per game to start the season. He’s unsurprisingly responded with at least 38.0 DKFP in all three games despite posting a lower usage rate than normal. He has a chance to increase his production offensively with Morant out of the lineup, which makes him an elite option at his current salary.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte Hornets @ Dallas Mavericks ($4,800)
He’s started at center in place of Zeller in the past two games, and he’s responded with at least 22.5 DKFP in both contests. He’s played around 30 minutes per game as the starter and averaged 0.91 DKFP per minute last season, so he has the potential for even more production moving forward.
Lineup Strategy
Valanciunas is the clear top target here, but there are some solid pivots if you’re looking to go slightly cheaper. Bam Adebayo ($7,600) is a strong option with Butler out of the lineup, and Jusuf Nurkic ($6,700) is underpriced. Washington and Biyombo are your best bets at the lower end of the pricing spectrum, and Brook Lopez ($4,700) is also worthy of some consideration.
Injury Report
OUT
Tony Snell (foot)
De’Anthony Melton (health and safety protocols)
Justin Winslow (hip)
Ja Morant (ankle)
Javonte Green (health and safety protocols)
Torrey Craig (nasal fracture)
Tristan Thompson (hamstring)
Jimmy Butler (ankle)
Alex Caruso (health and safety protocols)
Derrick White (toe)
QUESTIONABLE
Jayson Tatum (thumb)
LeBron James (ankle)
LaMarcus Aldridge (knee)
Josh Richardson (calf)
Gary Trent Jr. (calf)
Kawhi Leonard (mouth)
DOUBTFUL
None
PROBABLE
Danilo Gallinari (foot)
Carmelo Anthony (health and safety protocols)
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