This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Spurs typically stand out any time they're on the slate, but even more so Wednesday. The Pelicans' offense has officially reached MASH unit status with Jrue Holiday becoming the third key cog to be sidelined for the season, and Ryan Anderson still out with his groin injury. Meanwhile, San Antonio continues to allow the fewest points per game (92.6), second-lowest field-goal percentage (.434) and three-point percentage (.330).
Offense To Use
Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers
The Warriors are on the slate but face a tough Jazz defense in Utah, while the Wizards are on the second game of a back-to-back in an otherwise appealing matchup versus the Kings. That draws our focus to the Heat, which faces a Lakers defense surrendering the fourth-most points (107.0) and second-highest field-goal percentage (.473) per game this season. Miami's offense has also been on fire, as they've scored between 106 and 124 points in six of their last seven, with the lone exception during that span understandably coming against the Spurs top-ranked defense. Even a potential absence by Goran Dragic (illness) doesn't dampen the Heat's prospects, as rookie Josh Richardson proved capable of filling in for him Monday versus the Nets by finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and a blocked shot.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Nuggets, Clippers, Pelicans
Second game: Wizards
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Shelvin Mack, UTA vs. GSW ($6,000): Mack figures to be heavily involved in a game that will be played at a pace that ideally suits his style. The Jazz point guard has been one of the best trade-deadline acquisitions at any position this season, and he is averaging more than double the fantasy points at home (27.3) than on the road (13.8). He'll also draw a reasonably favorable matchup despite having to deal with Stephen Curry the majority of the night, as the Warriors have surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points (50.8), third-most points (23.2) and second-most steals (2.1) per game to point guards this season. With a reasonable price tag -- and what should be a heavy load of minutes in a competitive contest with playoff implications for Utah -- Mack should have plenty of opportunities to build on a stretch in which he's scored between 25.50 and 44.25 fantasy points in eight of 10 games.
Other options: Stephen Curry, GSW at UTA ($10,300); John Wall, WAS at SAC ($10,000); Chris Paul, LAC at MIN ($9,600); Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. ATL ($8,000); Rajon Rondo, SAC vs. WAS ($7,600); Brandon Knight, PHO at MIL ($7,300); Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. LAC ($7,200); Goran Dragic, MIA at LAL ($6,600); Jeff Teague, ATL at TOR ($5,800); Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN at MEM ($5,600); J.J. Barea, DAL vs. NYK ($5,000); Jose Calderon, NYK at DAL ($4,100); Jordan Farmar, MEM vs. DEN ($3,900)
Shooting Guard
Devin Booker, PHO at MIL ($6,700): Considering his role on the offense and proven track record, Booker remains significantly underpriced. He makes for a highly appealing option Wednesday against a Bucks defense that gives up the sixth-most fantasy points (41.8) and fifth-most three-pointers (2.6) per game to two-guards. Booker has been solid over the second half of the season, and he has scored over 40 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He's also taken over 20 shots in each of his last four games, as he continues to be one of the primary sources of offense for the Suns.
Other options: DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. ATL ($7,500); Klay Thompson, GSW at UTA ($7,000); Dwyane Wade, MIA at LAL ($6,900); Khris Middleton, MIL vs. PHO ($6,500); Andrew Wiggins, MIN at LAC ($6,500); Zach LaVine, MIN at LAC ($5,800); Bradley Beal, WAS at SAC ($5,400); Rodney Hood, UTA vs. GSW ($5,200)
Small Forward
Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. GSW ($6,900): Hayward played only 22 minutes in the Jazz's decimation of the Lakers on Monday, yet he still scored 29.75 fantasy points. He should be in for a lot of playing time versus the Warriors, who are on the second game of a back-to-back. He scored over 30 fantasy points thrice and over 40 twice in five of the prior nine games, and he posted a solid 28.0 fantasy points against the Warriors on Mar. 9 in Oakland in what was the second game of a back-to-back for the Jazz.
Other options: Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. PHO ($9,300); Carmelo Anthony, NYK at DAL ($8,500); Kawhi Leonard, SA vs. NO ($7,700); Luol Deng, MIA at LAL ($5,800); Otto Porter, WAS at SAC ($5,500); Lance Stephenson, MEM vs. DEN ($5,400); Matt Barnes, MEM vs. DEN ($5,300); P.J. Tucker, PHO at MIL ($4,700)
Power Forward
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK at DAL ($6,500): Porzingis makes for a considerably cheaper alternative to the red-hot but likely heavily-owned LaMarcus Aldridge on Wednesday. The Knicks' rookie will square off against a Mavs defense surrendering 50.0 fantasy points per game to power forwards over their last five games, as well as the seventh-most rebounds (11.0) per game this season. Porzingis has been playing very well of late, having scored between 28.25 and 44.5 fantasy points in his last six games.
Other options: DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. WAS ($10,200); Draymond Green, GSW at UTA ($8,100); Paul Millsap, ATL at TOR ($8,000); LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. NO ($7,700); Dirk Nowitzki, DAL vs. NYK ($7,100); Derrick Favors, UTA vs. PHO ($7,400); Kenneth Faried, DEN at MEM ($5,700); Jabari Parker, MIL vs. PHO ($5,500); JaMychal Green, MEM vs. DEN ($5,000); Markieff Morris, WAS at SAC ($4,900)
Center
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at LAL ($8,400): The top of the center pool has multiple appealing options, but we'll roll the dice with the red-hot Whiteside, who's been particularly effective and consistent since a move to the bench. He's still playing plenty of minutes and has scored between 28.25 and 54.0 fantasy points in his last 10 games. That span includes four games over 40 fantasy points, as well as his massive 50-plus haul. His matchup against the Lakers is just begging to be exploited, as they surrender the fourth-most fantasy points (51.6), fourth-most rebounds (15.8), second-most assists (3.3) and fourth-highest field-goal percentage (55.0) to centers this season.
Other options: Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. LAC ($8,400); DeAndre Jordan, LAC at MIN ($7,900); Marcin Gortat, WAS at SAC ($6,800); Al Horford, ATL at TOR ($6,400); Alex Len, PHO at MIL ($5,800)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Danilo Gallinari (ankle)
DeMarre Carroll (knee)
Mike Conley (Achilles)
Brandan Wright (knee)
Chris Andersen (shoulder)
P.J. Hairston (groin)
Jordan Adams (knee)
Paul Pierce (ankle/knee)
Blake Griffin (suspension)
Kevin Garnett (knee)
Nikola Pekovic (Achilles)
Deron Williams (abdomen/groin)
Chandler Parsons (knee)
Jeremy Evans (shoulder)
Jrue Holiday (eye)
Alonzo Gee (quadriceps)
Ryan Anderson (groin)
Anthony Davis (knee/shoulder)
Andre Iguodala (ankle)
Brandon Rush (knee)
Kevon Looney (hip)
Festus Ezeli (knee)
Alec Burks (ankle)
Alan Anderson (groin)
Tyler Johnson (shoulder)
Chris Bosh (calf)
Anthony Brown (foot)
Game-Time Decision
Thabo Sefolosha (ankle)
Terrence Ross (hand)
Zach Randolph (ankle)
Greivis Vasquez (ankle)
Lance Thomas (knee)
Norris Cole (back)
Kawhi Leonard (quadriceps)
Rajon Rondo (thumb/toe/shoulder)
DeMarcus Cousins (rest)
Marco Belinelli (foot)
Justise Winslow (knee)
Goran Dragic (illness)
Kobe Bryant (shoulder)
Nick Young (illness)
