This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Cavs responded to a 122-101 drubbing at the hands of the Miami Heat on Saturday by impressively trampling the Nuggets in Denver on Monday, 124-91. They are still giving up the third-fewest points per game (97.1), while the Bucks score the sixth-fewest (99.1). Milwaukee also commits the eighth-most turnovers (14.5) per game, and have a 9-27 record away from the Bradley Center this season. The Cavs have held opponents under 100 points in their last two games at Quicken Loans Arena, and are fighting to hold onto the 1.5-game lead they have over the Toronto Raptors for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Offense To Use
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sacramento Kings
The Timberwolves sport a dynamic, young starting five that can catch fire on offense, and they'll be in a prime spot to do so Wednesday. The Kings continue to allow the most points per game (109.2), and are a bottom-10 unit in both field-goal percentage (46 percent) and three-point percentage (37 percent) allowed this season. Additionally, they turn the ball over at the third-highest clip in the league (15.7 per game), often setting up opponents for easy points in transition. Minnesota's young offense has also started to hit its stride lately, averaging 108.3 points per game over their last four.
Teams on a Back-to-Backs
First game: Cavs, Bulls, Knicks, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Clippers
Second game: Heat, Rockets, Lakers
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. SAC ($7,100): Rubio's recent torrid stretch has resulted in only a nominal bump in price, making him particularly appealing Wednesday. The Kings are allowing the third-most fantasy points (52.9) per game to point guards, as well as the sixth-most points (22.7). They're also yielding the fifth-most assists (8.0) per game, particularly relevant in Rubio's case, considering ball distribution is one of his primary sources of fantasy production. He should find plenty of teammates to set up for scoring opportunities against the Kings' porous defense, and stands a solid chance to build on a five-game stretch where he's scored between 26.75 and 51.5 fantasy points. That streak includes three games with at least 50 fantasy points.
Other options: Stephen Curry, GSW vs. LAC ($10,500); Chris Paul, LAC at GSW ($9,700); John Wall, WAS vs. ATL ($9,600); Damian Lillard, POR vs. DAL ($9,100); Brandon Knight, PHO vs. LAL ($7,300); Shelvin Mack, UTA at HOU ($6,300); Reggie Jackson, DET vs. ORL ($6,200); Derrick Rose, CHI vs. NYK ($6,000); Ish Smith, PHI at DEN ($5,900); Deron Williams DAL at POR ($5,400); Jordan Clarkson, LAL at PHO ($5,200)
Shooting Guard
Lou Williams, LAL at PHO ($5,200): Williams could prove to be one of the best value plays at shooting guard by night's end, particularly if D'Angelo Russell's shin injury causes some reshuffling in the Lakers' backcourt. The veteran is likely to draw the start if Russell sits, with Jordan Clarkson moving back to point guard. Williams has scored between 22.75 and 41.75 fantasy points in six of his last seven, and has another game with 40 fantasy points within the last 10 games. Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench, Williams will draw a Suns defense that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points (42.5), fourth-most points (22.2) and fifth-most three-pointers (2.5) per game to shooting guards this season.
Other options: James Harden, HOU vs. UTA ($10,000); Victor Oladipo, ORL at DET ($7,700); DeMar DeRozan, TOR at BOS ($7,600); Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. NYK ($7,500); C.J. McCollum, POR vs. DAL ($6,600); Devin Booker, LAL at PHO ($6,600); Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. SAC ($6,400); Zach LaVine, MIN vs. SAC ($6,000); Will Barton, DEN vs. PHI ($5,500); Rodney Hood, UTA at HOU ($5,500); Bradley Beal, WAS vs. ATL ($5,400); Kobe Bryant, LAL at PHO ($5,300); J.J. Redick, LAC at GSW ($5,100); Gary Harris, DEN vs. PHI ($5,000); Hollis Thompson, PHI at DEN ($4,500)
Small Forward
Gordon Hayward, UTA at HOU ($6,900): Hayward provides a significant savings over the admittedly appealing options in the top tier at small forward Wednesday, drawing what is likely the best matchup in the league against the position. The Rockets are surrending the most fantasy points (45.4), second-most points (21.0), most assists (4.3), most steals (2.1), second-most three-pointers (2.5) and third-highest field-goal percentage (45.7) per game to small forwards this season. Hayward is also in the midst of a highly productive stretch, scoring between 25.5 and 41.75 fantasy points in nine of his last 10.
Other options: Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at CLE ($9,500); LeBron James, CLE vs. MIL ($9,400); Carmelo Anthony, NYK at CHI ($8,300); Kawhi Leonard, SAS vs. MIA ($8,000); Tobias Harris, ORL at DET ($6,200); Jerami Grant, PHI at DEN ($5,400); Otto Porter, WAS vs. ATL ($5,100); P.J. Tucker, PHO vs. LAL ($4,600)
Power Forward
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL at POR ($7,100): Power forward is loaded at the top Wednesday, but Nowitzki offers a massive ceiling at a highly reasonable price. He was fantastic in Sunday's overtime victory over this same Blazers squad, scoring a stunning 60.5 fantasy points, and it was far from his only outstanding performance in recent games. Nowitzki had also scored between 28.25 and 48.75 fantasy points in the nine games prior, and eclipsed the 40-fantasy point mark four times over that span.
Other options: DeMarcus Cousins, SAC at MIN ($10,400); Draymond Green, GSW vs. LAC ($7,900); LaMarcus Aldridge, SAS vs. MIA ($7,400); Derrick Favors, UTA at HOU ($7,200); Kevin Love, CLE vs. MIL ($6,700); Nerlens Noel, PHI at DEN ($6,600); Gorgui Dieng, MIN vs. SAC ($6,000); Kristaps Porzingis, NYK at CHI ($5,800); David Lee, DAL at POR ($5,100); Markieff Morris, WAS vs. ATL ($4,900)
Center
Robin Lopez, NY at CHI ($5,700): Some tempting options reside in the higher end of the price scale at center, namely Karl-Anthony Towns and the big man on the opposite side of the court from Lopez, Pau Gasol. However, Lopez represents an optimal combination of a modest price and considerable ceiling because of his great matchup. He exploded for 54.5 fantasy points versus the Kings on Sunday, and also scored between 26.75 and 49.75 fantasy points in seven of the nine games prior. Furthermore, the Bulls are an even better statistical matchup for centers than Sacramento, as Chicago is surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points (51.5), ninth-most points (20.8) and seventh-most rebounds (15.4) per game to the position this season.
Other options: Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. SAC ($8,600); Hassan Whiteside, MIA at SAS ($7,800); DeAndre Jordan, LAC at GSW ($7,700); Pau Gasol, CHI vs. NYK ($7,600); Andre Drummond, DET vs. ORL ($7,600); Alex Len, PHO vs. LAL ($6,600); Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. ATL ($6,500); Rudy Gobert, UTA at HOU ($6,300); Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. PHI ($6,100)
INJURY REPORT
Out
DeMarre Carroll (knee)
Alan Anderson (ankle)
Greivis Vasquez (ankle)
Mo Williams (knee)
Nikola Vucevic (groin)
Jodie Meeks (foot)
Jae Crowder (ankle)
E'Twaun Moore (hamstring)
Cameron Bairstow (back)
Alec Burks (ankle)
Kevin Garnett (knee)
Nikola Pekovic (Achilles)
Tyler Johnson (shoulder)
Chris Bosh (calf)
Robert Covington (concussion)
Jahlil Okafor (knee)
Chandler Parsons (knee)
Jeremy Evans (shoulder)
Danilo Gallinari (ankle)
Meyers Leonard (shoulder)
Branden Dawson (personal)
Blake Griffin (hand)
Andre Iguodala (ankle)
Kevon Looney (hip)
Festus Ezeli (knee)
Andrew Bogut (toe)
Game-Time Decision
Dennis Schroder (ankle)
James Johnson (Achilles)
Patrick Patterson (ankle)
Jonas Valanciunas (hand)
Lance Thomas (knee)
Kevin Seraphin (foot)
Sam Dekker (back)
Rajon Rondo (thumb/shoulder)
Ben McLemore (finger)
DeMarcus Cousins (knee)
Richaun Holmes (Achilles)
JaKarr Sampson (shoulder)
Kenneth Faried (back)
D'Angelo Russell (shin)
Ryan Kelly (wrist)
Larry Nance, Jr. (rest)
Tyson Chandler (back)
Wesley Matthews (ankle)
Allen Crabbe (illness)
