This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Not that the Lakers have a ton of top-end options to begin with, but their offensive production could be worse than usual Wednesday against a Bucks defense that has been allowing just 90.5 points per game in 2015. The Bucks held the Raptors, the fifth highest scoring team in 2015, to 75 points on Monday. The Lakers, on the other hand, rank 27th in that span, averaging just 92.6 points since New Year's Day.
Offenses to Use
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat: Minnesota may have the worst record in the league, but that doesn't mean it's without some solid fantasy options. Miami just got torched for 108 points in Detroit on Tuesday, and outside of Hassan Whiteside, the Heat don't have a lot of healthy lock-down defenders. The Timberwolves have several viable options for good prices, such as Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic, and Thaddeus Young. All three of them are priced under $6,500 and can be solid value plays against a defense playing its second game of a back-to-back set.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Dallas, Washington,
Second game of a back-to-back: Boston, Denver, Detroit, Golden State, Miami
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
If you've never played on DraftKings before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article. Want to play in a $50,000 daily NBA contest on DraftKings? Check it out here.
Point Guard
Russell Westbrook, PG, OKC ($10,600): Anyone who rushed to get Westbrook into their lineups Monday after it was announced that Kevin Durant was ruled out got a nice reminder of how dominant Westbrook can be when he's running the show. Sure, he's a pricey play that got pricier (to the tune of $500) after Monday night's triple-double, but he might be the best top-end option Wednesday if Durant is out. In the nine games Durant has missed since his debut in December, Westbrook has averaged 29.3 points. Durant has a sprained toe that not only sidelined him for Monday's game but also prevented him from practicing Tuesday. You'll need to check back before tip-off to see whether Durant is going to give it a go or not, but if he's not in Oklahoma City's lineup, Westbrook should be in yours.
Other suggestions: Jerryd Bayless* ($4,300) MIL vs. LAL; Kyle Lowry ($7,600) TOR vs. BKN Raymond Felton** ($3,000) DAL at GSW
*If Brandon Knight is out or on a minutes restriction
**If Devin Harris is out
Shooting Guard
Kevin Martin, SG, MIN, ($5,500) Martin returned to action last week after a fractured wrist sidelined him for two months. He has been solid through his first four games back, averaging 18.3 points and four rebounds. While his scoring output has been solid, it's important to note that Martin has been getting a ton of shots. He's putting up nearly 18 shots per game since coming back, but only making 36% of those attempts. As a career 44% shooter from the field, it stands to reason that his shots are going to start falling with more regularity as he rounds back into form. For his $5,500 price tag, Martin is a huge bargain.
Other suggestions: Eric Gordon ($6,400) NO vs. OKC; Joe Johnson ($5,600) BKN at TOR
Small Forward
Chandler Parsons, SF, DAL, ($5,700) Parsons returned from a two-game absence Monday and put up 18 points, six rebounds, and four steals over 35 minutes. Dallas is going up against Golden State, which is a tougher test than Monday's matchup with Minnesota, but Harrison Barnes' defense doesn't scare me enough to avoid Parsons. He's had 30+ DK points in two straight games and five of his last 10. Wednesday's small forward pool is shallow at best, so it'd be wise to take a high-value bargain like Parsons at that spot and then stack up elsewhere.
Other suggestions: Khris Middleton ($5,600) MIL vs. LAL
Power Forward
Donatas Motiejunas, PF, HOU, ($5,600) Motiejunas has been putting up solid numbers at a palatable price lately, averaging 29.7 DK points in his last five games. Houston is hurting for frontcourt production with Dwight Howard sidelined, and Motiejunas should be the main benefactor inside in his absence. When you look at the other power forwards in Motiejunas' price range, you have Kenneth Faried (up-and-down lately, playing the second half of a back-to-back), Ryan Anderson, and Carlos Boozer. While Boozer has played surprisingly well lately, Tarik Black is getting the start at power forward Wednesday, and the Lakers have a tough matchup. Boozer could still be a still a decent play, but Motiejunas is a lower-risk play at a reasonable price.
Other suggestions: Carlos Boozer ($5,500) LAL at MIL; John Henson (5,000)
Center
Brook Lopez, C, BKN ($6,300)Kevin Garnett may be getting the starts, but Lopez has been playing starter-level minutes. He's averaging 31 minutes over his last five, and that number would be higher if the Nets weren't completely blown out in two of those games. Also, Lopez dominated the Raptors' frontcourt when they squared off last Friday. Lopez finished with 35 points and 12 rebounds in that contest, good enough for 63 DK points. The minutes should be there for Lopez, and the combination of matchup and recent history makes him a solid play at the center slot for Wednesday.
Other suggestions: Jonas Valanciunas ($5,300) TOR vs. BKN; Nikola Pekovic ($5,300) MIN vs. MIA
INJURY REPORT
Out
Lavoy Allen (Knee)
Thabo Sefolosha (Calf)
Mike Dunleavy (Ankle)
Dwight Howard (Knee)
Jordan Hill (Hip)
Shawne Williams (Hip)
Shabazz Muhammad (Oblique)
Vince Carter (Foot)
Rajon Rondo (Eye/Nose)
Game-Time Decision
DeJuan Blair (Illness)
Shelvin Mack (Calf) (Doubtful)
DeMarre Carroll (Achilles)
Tayshaun Prince (Hip)
JaVale McGee (Illness) (Doubtful)
Deron Williams (Rib)
James Johnson (Hamstring)
Taj Gibson (Knee)
Terrence Jones (Leg)
James Harden (Knee) (Probable)
Nick Young (Ankle)
Brandon Knight (Quad)
Ersan Ilyasova (Groin)
Zaza Pachulia (Calf)
Ricky Rubio (Ankle)
Zach LaVine (Ankle)
Perry Jones (Ankle)
Kevin Durant (Toe)
Victor Oladipo (Achilles) (Probable)
Marco Belinelli (Groin)
Devin Harris (Ankle)
