This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks
The Heat is allowing the second-fewest points per game this season (96.9), also ranking in the top 10 in field-goal percentage (.436) and three-point percentage (.340) allowed. Meanwhile, Milwaukee is ranked in the bottom half of the league in points scored (99.2) and turnovers committed (14.9) per game. The Heat has also held opponents under 100 points in three of the last five games, and has played well on defense in the teams' two previous meetings this season.
Offense To Use
Cleveland Cavaliers at Sacramento Kings
The Cavs should be in for an up-tempo contest against the Kings, which should suit the more aggressive style they've adopted under coach Tyronn Lue. Sacramento allows the most points per game (109.4) and also ranks in the bottom 10 in a slew of other categories, including field-goal and three-point percentages allowed. Cleveland has also climbed into the top 10 in points scored, tallying 103.2 per game.
Teams on a Back-to-Backs
First game: Suns, Cavs
Second game: Knicks, Jazz
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Isaiah Thomas BOS vs. MEM ($7,300): Thomas checks in with nearly as high a ceiling as the top two options at the point guard position Wednesday, but at a savings of over $3K. He's scored over 50 fantasy points twice and over 60 once in the last ten games, and has had a floor of 32.5 in that span. He's averaged 44.3 fantasy points per game over his last three, and even though Mario Chalmers is a solid defender, Thomas has essentially proven to be matchup-proof this season.
Other options: Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. LAC ($10,800); Stephen Curry, GSW vs. UTA ($10,500); Chris Paul, LAC at OKC ($9,800); Kemba Walker, CHA vs. NOP ($8,300); Jrue Holiday, NOP at CHA ($8,100); Rajon Rondo, SAC vs. CLE ($7,900); Kyrie Irving, CLE at SAC ($7,800); Ish Smith, PHI vs. HOU ($6,800); Reggie Jackson, DET at DAL ($6,700)
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade, MIA at MIL ($7,200): There's a host of viable value at shooting guard Wednesday below $5,400, but Wade presents a very solid mid-tier option for those opting to spend up. As dynamic as Khris Middleton has been offensively, he's given up his share of productive outings to two-guards, and Wade has scored over 40 fantasy points three times in the last five (and 32.50 and 34.75 fantasy points in the other two games). Meanwhile, the Bucks are giving up the eighth-most fantasy points per game (41.2) this season and the fifth-most over the last five (47.2) to shooting guards.
Other options: James Harden, HOU at PHI ($10,700); Khris Middleton, MIL vs. MIA ($7,400); Klay Thompson, GSW vs. UTA ($7,200); Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. NOP ($7,000); Rodney Hood, UTA at GSW ($5,300); Jamal Crawford, LAC at OKC ($5,000); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET at DAL ($4,900); J.R. Smith, CLE at SAC ($4,700); Arron Afflalo, NY at PHO ($4,600)
Small Forward
Robert Covington, PHI vs. HOU ($6,100): Covington makes for a sneaky mid-tier pivot Wednesday for those who can't afford the elite triumvirate at the top of the small forward pool. He draws the premium matchup for small forwards in the form of the Rockets, who have given up the most fantasy points per game (45.4) to the position this season, as well as over the last 10 (50.5) and five (54.9). They also rank as the league's worst in assists (4.2), three-pointers (2.6) and steals (2.0) allowed per game to small forward, and in the bottom 10 in rebounds and field-goal percentage. Meanwhile, Covington has demonstrated 40-plus fantasy-point upside on multiple occasions, and is averaging 37.75 fantasy points per game over the last three.
Other options: Kevin Durant, OKC vs. LAC ($10,600); LeBron James, CLE at SAC ($9,900); Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. MIA ($8,700); Gordon Hayward, UTA at GSW ($6,900); Trevor Ariza, HOU at PHI ($6,200); Luol Deng, MIA at MIL ($6,000); Tobias Harris, DET at DAL ($6,000); Joe Johnson, MIA at MIL ($5,300); Lance Stephenson, MEM at BOS ($4,400)
Power Forward
JaMychal Green, MEM at BOS ($4,500): With Chris Andersen (shoulder) already ruled out, Green will draw another start at center against the Celtics, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game (60.5) to centers over the last 10 (60.5), and eighth-most this season (51.2). Green also has plenty of upside, flashing a ceiling of over 50 fantasy points versus the stalwart Cavaliers frontcourt Monday. Similarly spectacular production wouldn't be out of the question again Wednesday, in a game where Green could shoulder even more responsibility with Mike Conley (foot) already ruled out and Zach Randolph (knee) a game-time decision.
Other options: DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs CLE ($10,400); Anthony Davis, NOP at CHA ($9,700); Draymond Green, GSW vs. UTA ($8,200); Derrick Favors, UTA at GSW ($7,500); Kevin Love, CLE at SAC ($7,200); Jabari Parker, MIL vs. MIA ($6,300); Marvin Williams, CHA vs. NOP ($5,500); David Lee, DAL vs. DET ($5,100)
Center
Alex Len, PHO vs. NYK ($6,600): While the two highest-priced centers draw some tantalizing matchups, the blazing-hot Len is in a favorable position himself. Kristaps Porzingis (leg) didn't look right Tuesday against the Nuggets, playing 20 minutes. Kenneth Faried was able to exploit the situation to the tune of 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Len now gets his shot on the second night of a back-to-back for the Knicks. The Suns' power forward has 55.25 and 54.00 fantasy points over his last two, respectively, and another game with 50 in his last 10. He's demonstrated a jaw-dropping ceiling for his price, and even a well-justified increase to the mid-$6K range still renders him a bargain considering his potential return.
Other options: Hassan Whiteside, MIA at MIL ($8,400); Dwight Howard, HOU at PHI ($8,000); DeAndre Jordan, LAC at OKC ($7,700); Andre Drummond, DET at DAL ($7,600); Rudy Gobert, UTA at GSW ($6,600); Al Jefferson, CHA vs. NOP ($4,800); Enes Kanter, OKC vs. LAC ($4,600)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Alexis Ajinca (sternum)
Spencer Hawes (back)
Andrew Goudelock (contract dispute)
Jahlil Okafor (shin)
Mike Conley (foot)
Jordan Adams (knee)
Brandan Wright (knee)
Chris Andersen (shoulder)
Tyler Johnson (shoulder)
Chris Bosh (calf)
Michael Carter-Williams (knee)
Greivis Vasquez (ankle)
John Henson (back)
Spencer Dinwiddie (ankle)
Stanley Johnson (shoulder)
Anthony Tolliver (knee)
Cleanthony Early (knee)
Blake Griffin (hand)
Mo Williams (knee)
Seth Curry (foot)
Eric Moreland (foot)
Alec Burks (ankle)
Festus Ezeli (toe)
Game-Time Decision
Norris Cole (back)
Luke Babbitt (shin)
Terrence Jones (illness)
Kendall Marshall (illness)
Nik Stauskas (illness)
Nerlens Noel (knee)
Zach Randolph (knee)
Matt Barnes (hamstring)
Jared Sullinger (skin infection)
Kelly Olynyk (shoulder)
Hassan Whiteside (illness)
Jodie Meeks (foot)
Lance Thomas (knee)
Brandon Knight (groin)
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (eye)
Ben McLemore (finger)
Andre Iguodala (hamstring)
