This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Sacramento Kings at Utah Jazz: With only a handful of games remaining for each team, it's usually a good idea for daily gamers to focus on the games that still matter. Both the Kings and the Jazz are out of the playoff hunt, yet both were too good to be in contention for the very best draft picks this summer. With almost nothing to play for in either direction, both of these teams may behave unpredictably. If uncertainty alone is not enough to make you turn away, it's still worth avoiding using Kings players, since the Jazz have been the best defense in the league since the All-Star break according to several different metrics.
Offenses to Use
Portland Trail Blazers at Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves are bad, and the Trail Blazers still have a lot to play for. The Blazers have clinched the Northwest division crown and the four seed, but they would not have home-court advantage in the first round if the season ended today. With enough wins, and a little bit of luck, the Blazers could play themselves into the three seed, securing some home court advantage and postponing a potential playoff series against the Warriors. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, are just a hair ahead of the last-place Thunder for defensive inefficiency over the past 10 games.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers
Second game of a back-to-back: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Shane Larkin, NY (vs IND), PG, ($4,600): Larkin has been the starter in New York for barely two weeks, and he seems to be hitting his stride. He's demonstrated an ability to rack up assists and steals with some consistency, but it is only his past few games that he has added some scoring and rebounding. It's important to note, however, that his recent impressive lines might be somewhat inflated due to his opponents, the Wizards and the 76ers. Both of those teams surrender a more-than-average number of free throw attempts, and Larkin's 11-of-12 from the line over the past two games has helped bolster his scoring numbers. Before the Wizards, it had been one month since Larkin last attempted four free throws in a game. Nonetheless, Larkin has the look of a bargain with good upside.
Other suggestions: Ish Smith, PHI (vs WAS), PG, ($6,400); Elfrid Payton, ORL (vs CHI), PG, ($7,400)
Shooting Guard
Louis Williams, TOR (at CHA), SG, ($5,700): A notoriously streaky player, Williams has been uncharacteristically consistent for nearly two weeks. He's scored at least 18 points in six of his last seven games and totaled 21 or more fantasy points in all seven. During this streak, he has shot 46 percent or better in every game and above 50 percent five times. The Hornets are an average opponent for shooting guards, and a favorable opponent for point guards, a position Williams plays for stretches of most games.
Other suggestions: Bradley Beal, WAS (at PHI), SG, ($6,000)
Small Forward
Andrew Wiggins, MIN (at POR), SF, ($6,800): Time is running out in the still-competitive Rookie of the Year contest. Whether or not he's willing to admit it, this is a list that Wiggins would surely like to join. While Wiggins is probably the current favorite already, a strong game against the 2012-13 winner, Damian Lillard, would be noticed. On top of that, the Blazers are a favorable opponent for small forwards. In fact, they are even more favorable than the ranking of 23rd DraftKings gives them against small forwards, because they have faltered some since losing strong wing defender Wesley Matthews in early March.
Other suggestions: Hollis Thompson, PHI (vs WAS), SF, ($3,500); PJ Tucker, PHO (at DAL), SF, ($5,000)
Power Forward
John Henson, MIL (vs CLE), PF, ($3,600): Henson is a limited fantasy player, not least of all by his small workload, but his price is low enough that those limits hardly matter. Though he's prone to occasional duds, he's totaled 19.5 fantasy points in five of his past six. Against a Cavaliers squad that is good at driving into the lane, there is a good chance that Henson sees some extra run on account of his rim protection skills.
Other suggestions: Amir Johnson*, TOR (at CHA), PF, ($4,700); Tyler Hansbrough**, TOR (at CHA), PF, ($3,500); Tarik Black, LAL (at DEN), PF, ($3,900)
*Only if Amir Johnson is active. He is currently questionable, and seems unlikely to play.
** Only if Amir Johnson is inactive. This seems like the more probable scenario.
Center
Nikola Vucevic, ORL (vs CHI), C, ($7,800): One statistic I track is a measurement of a players' game-to-game consistency over the past month. This stat adjusts for the varying amount of minutes a player sees each night. Among Wednesday's centers who cost more than $3,500, Vucevic ranks first in this metric, with a 30 percent lead over second place. Translation: Vucevic is the most consistent fantasy center available Wednesday, by far. Also, the Bulls have been surprisingly favorable against opposing centers.
Other suggestions: Al Horford, ATL (at BKN), C, ($6,000)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Paul Millsap (shoulder)
Al Jefferson (knee)
Jameer Nelson (hip)
Donatas Motiejunas (back)
Chris Copeland (elbow)
Anthony Bennett (ankle)
Gorgui Dieng (concussion)
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Jose Calderon (Achilles)
Alexey Shved (ribs)
Devyn Marble (eye)
Joel Embiid (foot)
Danny Granger (knee)
Brandon Knight (ankle)
Alex Len (nose)
Dorell Wright (hand)
Darren Collison (hip)
Tiago Splitter (calf)
Game-Time Decision
Pero Antic (not injury related) is questionable.
Thabo Sefolosha (not injury related) is questionable.
Jae Crowder (ankle) is expected to play Wednesday.
Alan Anderson (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Kirk Hinrich (knee) is a game-time decision.
Derrick Rose (knee) is expected to play limited minutes Wednesday.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) is a game-time decision after missing Tuesday's game.
Cody Zeller (shoulder) is a game-time decision after missing Tuesday's game.
Richard Jefferson (toe) is a game-time decision.
Chandler Parsons (knee) is questionable.
Rajon Rondo (knee) is likely to play Wednesday.
Darrell Arthur (calf) is doubtful.
Danilo Gallinari (rest) is a game-time decision.
Ty Lawson (forearm) is expected to play Wednesday.
Spencer Dinwiddie (ankle) is unlikely to play Wednesday.
Greg Monroe (knee) is expected to play Wednesday.
Kostas Papanikolaou (ankle) is questionable.
Rodney Stuckey (wrist) is probable.
C.J. Watson (elbow) is questionable.
Tony Allen (hamstring) is expected to sit out Wednesday.
Jeff Green (back) appears on track to play Wednesday.
Zach Randolph (back) is questionable.
Kevin Garnett (knee) is questionable.
Gary Neal (ankle) is questionable.
Cleanthony Early (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Travis Wear (back) is day-to-day.
Evan Fournier (hip) is a game-time decision.
Luke Ridnour (paternity) is a game-time decision, though earlier reports indicated a return Wednesday was probable.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (shoulder) is a game-time decision.
Thomas Robinson (ankle) is questionable.
DeMarcus Cousins (foot) is unlikely to play Wednesday.
Rudy Gay (head) is questionable.
Nik Stauskas (back) is day-to-day.
Tony Parker (Achilles) is a game-time decision after missing the second half of Tuesday's game due to the injury. The Spurs were already up 26 points by halftime, however, so there was little reason to rush Parker back into the game.
Amir Johnson (ankle) is questionable.
Kyle Lowry (back) is unlikely to play Wednesday.
Trey Burke (back) is probable.
Nene Hilario (rest) is expected to play Wednesday.
Paul Pierce (illness) is likely to play Wednesday.
Garrett Temple (hamstring) is a game-time decision.
