This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks: Two slow-paced teams, each in the bottom half of the league for offensive efficiency since the All-Star break, are hardly a recipe for fantasy success. While this is not a good matchup for the Bucks, it's particularly bad for the Magic. The Bucks are a top-6 defense holding opponents to a stingy 43 percent field goal percentage since the break.
Offenses to Use
Sacramento Kings at Charlotte Hornets: Surprising fact: since the All-Star break, the Knicks are not the worst per-possession defense in the league. That title belongs to the Kings, and by a noticeable margin. The surprise shouldn't be that the Kings are bad - they were a bottom-5 defense before the break – it should just be how bad they've gotten. Kings opponents lead the league in field goal percentage, are second in three-point percentage, and are second in assists per game since the break. Oh, and the Hornets should have their starting point guard back for the first time in a month and a half.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks
Second game of a back-to-back: Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Russell Westbrook, OKC (vs LAC), PG, ($12,500): Shortly after New Year's Day, DraftKings altered the way they price superstars. Since January 10th, Russell Westbrook is the only player to cost more than $11,300. On Sunday, Westbrook's salary set the post-January 10th record. On Wednesday, his salary sets the season-long record, exceeding the previous mark by a full $400. But that's how good Westbrook's current streak has been - even at these record-setting prices, he's been profitable for five straight games, and for eight of his last nine. It may seem unreasonable to expect Westbrook to continue this insane production, but as my editor and I determined last week, "Westbrook is obviously not human." He is not limited by our mere human expectations.
Kemba Walker, CHA (vs SAC), PG, ($8,000): We last saw Walker in January. He posted back-to-back slow nights while fighting through "knee soreness" - days later he was under the knife. Those two games, plus six weeks away from the court, have lowered his salary nearly $2,000. Before the problems with his knee, Kemba scored 149 points in five games (29.8 per night). Charlotte has added Mo Williams since Walker last played, and there is always the chance that Walker's minutes could be limited as he eases back into action, so there is still plenty of risk here. On the other hand, getting a semi-star starter for a major discount is tempting.
Other suggestions: Shaun Livingston, GS (vs DET), PG, ($3,900)
Shooting Guard
Gary Neal, MIN (at PHO), SG, ($4,000): Neal has had some up-and-down games recently, but even his bad games have been good enough to avoid damaging daily lineups. He's topped 30 fantasy points twice in his last four games, and the other nights were respectably in the low 20s. On Wednesday, he takes on the Suns, who struggle to defend the perimeter.
Other suggestions: Dwyane Wade, MIA (vs BKN), SG, ($7,200)
Small Forward
DeMarre Carroll, ATL (at DEN), SF, ($4,900): Carroll is the rich man's version of Mbah a Moute (see 'other suggestions'). Both play major roles in their team's rotation, and both are facing favorable matchups. Both are relatively consistent producers who often score in the low teens, but throw in a really bad performance just often enough to scare daily gamers. While that occasional off game is always a possibility, the Nuggets wing defense is weak enough to make Carroll a great value Wednesday.
Other suggestions: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, PHI (vs CHI), SF, ($4,600)
Power Forward
Nerlens Noel, PHI (vs CHI), PF, ($6,900): The matchup against the bulls is less than ideal, but the price makes up for it. Noel has been great since the All-Star break, averaging a double-double and 2.7 steals per game. That has translated to at least 34 fantasy points in six straight games, and in eight of his last 10.
Other suggestions: Zach Randolph, MEM (at BOS), PF, ($7,000); Draymond Green, GS (vs DET), PF, ($7,400)
Center
Joakim Noah, CHI (at PHI), C, ($6,700): Whenever one of the Bulls' big men is out, the three remaining players tend to step up their play and take advantage of their extra minutes on the floor. While I like the chances that Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol also have good games during the continued absence of Taj Gibson (ankle), Noah gets the nod in this article because he sports the most favorable price.
Other suggestions: Robin Lopez, POR (vs HOU), C, ($4,400)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Thabo Sefolosha (calf)
Jimmy Butler (elbow)
Derrick Rose (knee)
Jusuf Nurkic (ankle)
Dwight Howard (knee)
Hassan Whiteside (suspension)
Anthony Bennett (ankle)
Robbie Hummel (hand)
Kevin Durant (foot)
Steve Novak (appendix)
Devyn Marble (eye)
Joel Embiid (foot)
Brandon Knight (ankle)
Danny Granger (knee)
Darren Collison (hip)
Sergey Karasev (knee) is questionable after leaving Tuesday's game due to the injury.
Game-Time Decision
Pero Antic (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Isaiah Thomas (back) is questionable.
Avery Bradley (elbow) is likely to play Wednesday.
Markel Brown (ankle) is questionable after leaving Tuesday's game due to the injury.
Alan Anderson (hip) is a game-time decision after leaving Tuesday's game due to the injury.
Kemba Walker (knee) is expected to play Wednesday.
Cody Zeller (shoulder) is unlikely to play Wednesday.
Taj Gibson (ankle) is unlikely to play Wednesday.
Joel Anthony (groin) is a game-time decision after missing Tuesday's game.
Kostas Papanikolaou (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Chris Paul (knee) is expected to play Wednesday.
Jamal Crawford (calf) is a game-time decision.
Blake Griffin (elbow) is a game-time decision.
Goran Dragic (back) is likely to play Wednesday.
Udonis Haslem (ankle) is expected to play Wednesday.
Chris Andersen (ankle) is a game-time decision.
O.J. Mayo (hamstring) is questionable.
Kevin Garnett (rest) is expected to play Wednesday.
Evan Fournier (hip) is a game-time decision.
Willie Green (Achilles) is a game-time decision after leaving Tuesday's game due to the injury.
Nerlens Noel (lower leg) is expected to play Wednesday.
Isaiah Canaan (illness) will play Wednesday.
Glenn Robinson (not injury related) is unlikely to play Wednesday.
DeMarcus Cousins (ankle) is probable.
