This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons
While the Cavs, Raptors, Heat and Spurs rightfully come to mind when it comes to elite defenses, the Hawks have slipped into the conversation. They've notably held opponents under 100 points in seven of their last nine, including three games under 80 points, two where they've yielded between 80 and 85 and one where they surrendered 88. That impressive stretch hasn't come against a bunch of tomato cans either, as it's included victories over the playoff-bound Clippers, Pacers, Grizzlies and Hornets. The Hawks are now ranked as the sixth-stingiest unit in points allowed per game (98.6) and are cause the third-highest rate of turnovers (15.8) per game as well. They're also giving up the second-lowest field-goal percentage (.433) this season, and face off against a Pistons squad in the bottom half of the league in points scored per game (101.7).
Offenses To Use
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings
These two squads are likely to light up the scoreboard Wednesday, much like in their last meeting on Mar. 7 when they combined for 227 points. The Kings are allowing 109.3 points per game, the worst mark in the NBA, while the Pelicans aren't far behind, giving up the sixth-most (106.2). They also both rank in the bottom 10 in field-goal and three-point percentages allowed, and Sacramento also checks in with the third-highest turnover rate (15.9) in the league, often setting up opposing teams for some easy fast-break baskets on the other end.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hornets, Bulls, Wizards, Hawks, Grizzlies
Second game: Celtics, Magic, Clippers, Kings
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Isaiah Thomas, BOS vs. OKC ($7,300): As usual, Thomas checks in $2K-$3K cheaper than the elite options at the position but with close to as high a ceiling. That particularly holds true Wednesday, when he'll be locked up with Russell Westbrook in what is projected to be one of the two highest-scoring games of the night. The Thunder are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points (52.2), fourth-most points (23.0) and second-most rebounds (5.9) per game to point guards, and play at a pace that should suit Thomas' style perfectly. He's remained hot after the All-Star break, scoring between 32.50 and 52.75 fantasy points in nine of the last 10. Incidentally, while he will find himself on the second game of a back-to-back, the Celtics had three days off between Tuesday night's game and their previous one, so Thomas should still have plenty in the tank.
Other options: Russell Westbrook, OKC at BOS ($10,500); Stephen Curry, GSW vs. NYK ($10,400); Chris Paul, LAC at HOU ($9,700); John Wall, WAS vs. CHI ($9,400); Kemba Walker, CHA vs. ORL ($8,800); Jrue Holiday, NOP at SAC ($8,100); Rajon Rondo, SAC vs. NO ($7,800); Kyrie Irving, CLE vs. DAL ($7,600); Ricky Rubio, MIN at MEM ($6,600); Jeff Teague, ATL at DET ($5,800)
Shooting Guard
Evan Fournier, ORL at CHA ($5,900): Fournier has been playing well for an extended stretch, save for a couple of outlier performances, yet his price remains below his level of production. He exploded for 41.25 fantasy points versus the Nuggets on Tuesday on the strength of a 30-point tally that included another five three-pointers. Fournier has drained at least one trey in 18 consecutive games and has scored over 30 fantasy points in three of the last five in addition to Tuesday's standout performance. He draws a solid matchup Wednesday as well, as the Hornets reside just outside the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed per game to small forwards (40.3), and also surrender the seventh-most points (19.4), second-most threes (2.5) and seventh-highest field-goal percentage (44.0) per game to small forwards this season.
Other options: James Harden, HOU vs. LAC ($10,200); Jimmy Butler, CHI at WAS ($8,100); Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. ORL ($7,500); Victor Oladipo, ORL at CHA ($7,400); Klay Thompson, GSW vs. NYK ($7,000); Andrew Wiggins, MIN at MEM ($6,200); Zach LaVine, MIN at MEM ($5,900); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET vs. ATL ($5,300)
Small Forward
Rudy Gay, SAC vs. NOP ($6,200): By his own admission, Gay had been in somewhat of a funk recently, and had back-to-back 21.75-and-13.5-fantasy point outings before Tuesday night's game against the Lakers. He bounced back nicely, finishing with 42.00 fantasy points on the strength of 9-for-16 shooting after going a combined 5-for-18 in the prior two games. He also had consecutive 37.5-fantasy point efforts prior to the aforementioned pair of lackluster ones, and he will draw one of the worst defenses versus small forwards recently in the Pelicans. New Orleans has given up the second-most fantasy points to small forwards over the last five (50.4), and third-most over the last 10 (49.2).
Other options: Kevin Durant, OKC at BOS ($10,300); LeBron James, CLE vs. DAL ($9,500); Carmelo Anthony, NYK at GSW ($8,600); Chandler Parsons, DAL at CLE ($6,400); Tobias Harris, DET vs. ATL ($6,100); Matt Barnes, MEM vs. MIN ($5,800); Trevor Ariza, HOU vs. LAC ($5,700)
Power Forward
Serge Ibaka, OKC at BOS ($5,500): As is the case with most of the positions on the superstar-laden slate, power forward offers plenty at the top for those looking to spend up. However, Ibaka checks in at a highly tempting price, almost his lowest of the season. While he's definitely prone to the mystifying clunker, he's actually been a lot steadier than he often gets credit for, scoring between 20.25 and 48.5 fantasy points in nine of his last 10, with even the low end of that range representing a decent return on his mid-$5kK price. Wednesday's matchup and game pace should prove fertile for a solid outing as well, as the Celtics are surrendering the seventh-most fantasy points (48.5) per game to power forwards this season, as well as the eighth-most per game (52.2) over the last 10 games. A look at conventional stats reveal even greater vulnerability against bigs, as Boston also surrenders the third-most points (22.1) and most rebounds (11.8) per game to the position.
Other options: DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. NOP ($10,600); Anthony Davis, NOP at SAC ($10,000); Draymond Green, GSW vs. NYK ($7,900); Paul Millsap, ATL at DET ($7,700); Kevin Love, CLE vs. DAL ($6,900); Aaron Gordon, ORL at CHA ($6,800); Dirk Nowitzki, DAL at CLE ($6,600); Marvin Williams, CHA vs. ORL ($5,800); Ryan Anderson, NO at SAC ($5,500); Nikola Mirotic, CHI at WAS ($5,000); Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. DAL ($4,900)
Center
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. CHI ($6,600): Gortat represents a solid mid-tier option on a night when spending up at center isn't necessarily required. His recent pair of outlier performances versus the Jazz and Nuggets may scare some off him in tournaments, even though Gortat bounced back nicely versus the Pistons on Monday with 28.5 fantasy points. Notably, his two clunkers came over a combined 27 minutes, as Gortat found himself in deep foul trouble early in both contests. With a Bulls defense that's struggled against centers this season and now playing without Pau Gasol (knee), Gortat could be primed for a breakout performance. Chicago is allowing the third-most fantasy points (52.2) and sixth-most rebounds (15.5) per game to centers this season.
Other options: Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at MEM ($8,100); Dwight Howard, HOU vs. LAC ($7,800); Andre Drummond, DET vs. ATL ($7,800); DeAndre Jordan, LAC at HOU ($7,400); Al Horford, ATL at DET ($6,500); Jared Sullinger, BOS vs. OKC ($6,000); Enes Kanter, OKC at BOS ($4,800); Marreese Speights, GSW vs. NYK ($3,600)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Jae Crowder (ankle)
Kelly Olynyk (shoulder)
Elfrid Payton (elbow)
Nikola Vucevic (groin)
Spencer Hawes (back)
Mo Williams (knee)
Pau Gasol (knee)
Spencer Dinwiddie (ankle)
Kevin Garnett (knee)
Mike Conley (foot)
Jordan Adams (knee)
Brandan Wright (knee)
Chris Andersen (shoulder)
Nikola Pekovic (Achilles)
Zach Randolph (knee)
Paul Pierce (toe)
Branden Dawson (personal)
Blake Griffin (hand)
Alexis Ajinca (sternum)
Eric Moreland (foot)
Cleanthony Early (knee)
Andre Iguodala (hamstring)
Festus Ezeli (toe)
Game-Time Decision
Dion Waiters (personal)
Jeremy Evans (shoulder)
Derrick Rose (groin)
Jimmy Butler (knee)
Mike Dunleavy (illness)
Cameron Bairstow (back)
Bradley Beal (pelvis)
Alan Anderson (groin)
Jodie Meeks (foot)
Lance Stephenson (wrist)
P.J. Hairston (groin)
Vince Carter (calf)
Sam Dekker (back)
Norris Cole (back)
Ben McLemore (finger)
Lance Thomas (knee)
