Wednesday features an absolutely massive NBA slate. There are 12 games to choose from starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, so let’s break down some of the top studs and values at each position to help you build your DraftKings lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $325K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Point Guard
Stud
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors @ Oklahoma City Thunder ($10,500) – Curry is on one right now. He’s increased his fantasy production to 1.55 DKFP per minute over the past month, which is the fourth-highest mark among today’s players. Overall, he’s scored at least 49.75 DKFP in each of his past seven games.
He has a chance for another big performance on Wednesday. He draws a nice matchup vs. the Thunder, who are tied for 22nd in defensive efficiency, and the Warriors are also expected to be without Kelly Oubre once again. He’s doubtful with a wrist injury, and Curry has increased his usage rate by a team-high 3.7 percentage points with Oubre off the court this season.
Other Options – John Wall ($8,000), Malcolm Brogdon ($7,100)
Value
Elfrid Payton, New York Knicks @ New Orleans Pelicans ($4,000) – Payton is the least exciting of the Knicks’ many point guard options, but he stands out as a nice value on Wednesday. He’s coming off nearly 27.3 minutes in their last game, and he’s increased his production to 0.98 DKFP per minute over the past month. Payton also has a dream matchup vs. the Pelicans, who rank 28th in defensive efficiency this season.
Other Options – Malachi Flynn ($5,500), Facundo Campazzo ($3,700)
Shooting Guard
Stud
Editor’s note:
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers @ Detroit Pistons ($9,000) – We’re still waiting on an official update on Kawhi Leonard’s status, but George would be an elite option if he’s ultimately ruled out. He’s been on a tear recently, scoring at least 50.75 DKFP in four straight games, including 60.25 DKFP last night vs. the Pacers. George has increased his usage rate by +5.2% with Leonard off the court this season, so he has the potential for another big game vs. a Pistons’ squad that ranks just tied for 22nd in defensive efficiency.
That said, make sure to monitor this situation all the way up to tip off. George played 38.5 minutes on the front end of the back-to-back, and the Clippers are definitely not afraid to rest their superstars.
Other Options – Andrew Wiggins ($7,100), Devonte’ Graham ($6,500)
Value
Caleb Martin, Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($3,100) – Martin sees a slight reduction in value today with Terry Rozier expected to return to the lineup, but he should still see a solid workload for the shorthanded Hornets. He’s averaged 0.92 DKFP per minute over the past month, so he doesn’t need a ton of minutes to pay off his current salary.
Other Options – Monte Morris ($3,800), Avery Bradley ($3,100)
Small Forward
Stud
Will Barton, Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat ($5,400) – Small forward is definitely the weakest position on today’s slate. You can pay up for Wiggins – who has dual SG/SF eligibility – but I prefer Barton in the midrange. He’s coming off a clunker in his last game, but he had scored at least 26.5 DKFP in each of his previous six contests. The Nuggets are going to need Barton following the season-ending injury to Jamal Murray, so expect him to play more than 36 minutes if this game stays competitive.
Other Options – Luka Doncic ($10,900), Michael Porter Jr. ($7,200)
Value
Kent Bazemore, Golden State Warriors @ Oklahoma City Thunder ($4,800) – Bazemore has been asked to pick up the slack with Oubre out of the lineup recently. He’s played at least 32 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s responded with at least 23.25 DKFP in both contests. Bazemore is always an interesting target when he’s expected to see more minutes than usual given his average of 0.87 DKFP per minute this season.
Other Options – Justin Holiday ($3,800), Cody Martin ($3,300)
Power Forward
Stud
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers @ Houston Rockets ($9,100) – Myles Turner is another player who we’re still waiting on an official injury designation for. He’s missed the past four games, and Sabonis has slid from power forward to center in his absence. That gives him slightly more rebounding upside if Turner is out of the lineup, and Sabonis is in a great spot for rebounding tonight vs. the Rockets. They rank just 27th in team rebound rate, so Sabonis should be able to do some damage on the glass.
Other Options – Christian Wood ($7,900), Draymond Green ($6,900)
Value
Jalen McDaniels, Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($4,700) – McDaniels remains one of the best sources of value in fantasy at the moment. He’s coming off a team-high 39.6 minutes yesterday vs. the Lakers, and he’s responded with at least 31.5 DKFP in three of his past four games. McDaniels has averaged 0.99 DKFP per minute over the past month, so he should continue to crush as long as he keeps playing big minutes. Just lock him in at power forward and move on.
Other Options – Juan Toscano-Anderson ($3,400)
Center
Stud
Jonas Valanciunas, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks ($7,600) – Valanciunas has always been an elite producer on a per-minute basis, but he’s elevated his game recently. He’s averaged 1.52 DKFP per minute over the past month, and he’s also been playing more minutes. He’s logged at least 32.2 minutes in each of his past three games, and he’s unsurprisingly responded with at least 49.5 DKFP in each of those contests. He’s a very appealing option at just $7,600.
Other Options – Nikola Jokic ($10,600), Joel Embiid ($10,000)
Value
Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($3,200) – There are plenty of strong value options at center on Wednesday, but Biyombo stands out as the best of the bunch. He started and logged 27.8 minutes for the Hornets yesterday, and he ultimately finished with 29.5 DKFP. Biyombo isn’t an elite producer on a per-minute basis, but it’s hard to ignore anyone with the potential to play more than 27 minutes at just $3,200.
Other Options – Cody Zeller ($4,800), Mo Bamba ($4,600), Nicolas Claxton ($3,100)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $325K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
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