This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Wednesday presents a hefty 11-game slate, and there's a lot of information to cover, so let's get right to it!
First, let's take a look at some of the more relevant injuries that will impact tonight's matchups. We've got an abundance of questionable designations, but here's who's definitely out:
Kawhi Leonard (hip) – Fred VanVleet ($4,500) is your most logical pivot here, with Kyle Lowry's ($7,200) stock gets a boost as well.
Victor Oladipo (knee) – Likely to return Friday, so one more night with Tyreke Evans ($4,900) is a reasonable proposition
Hassan Whiteside (personal) – He should be back this week, but as usual Bam Adebayo ($6,100) is the guy to roll with, even though his salary is starting to reflect his value
Tristan Thompson (foot) – He'll be out for 2-4 weeks, and while Larry Nance ($5,700) is the obvious beneficiary here, Ante Zizic ($3,000) may emerge as a mainstay in the second unit.
Nikola Mirotic (ankle) – All the love gets dispersed to a number of playmakers here, with Julius Randle ($7,400) as the chalkiest option. More on this game below, but the Pelicans are a team you should be paying attention to tonight. Randle might find a way into all of my lineups.
Dennis Smith Jr. (wrist) – J.J. Barea ($4,400) remains a safe pivot here but look out for Jalen Brunson ($3,800) if he isn't on your radar already. This kid is good, and I expect the rookie to excel in every opportunity he gets.
Jimmy Butler is doubtful and Al Horford has been ruled Wednesday. Furkan Korkmaz ($3,200) has emerged as a pivot for Butler after putting up 18 points off the bench on Monday, but Butler's output should be dispersed evenly among the starters. With Horford out, Robert Williams ($3,400) and Daniel Theis ($4,600) should see an extended run of Aron Baynes (ankle) doesn't suit up.
Like I stated above, the game to load up on tonight is the OKC/NO matchup. It showcases the highest O/U on the slate, one of the narrowest point spreads, and two teams who have climbed up the charts in overall game pace, with the Thunder showing the most improvement (currently second-fastest pace in the league). You can expect high ownership with most of the stars here, and going for Russell Westbrook ($10,900) and Anthony Davis ($11,200) are excellent options, albeit expensive ones. Instead, I favor targeting the supporting cast, with Paul George ($9,000) and Jrue Holiday ($7,900) as the most prominent plays. Those tackling GPP's should find a way to avoid this game in a portion of your contests, as low-ownership studs in other contests should win the day.
Keeping all that information in mind, I'll move on to select three players at each position, and I'll endeavor to give you a top-shelf player, a mid-range target and a low-cost value play to choose from. Each slot will also provide a small list of additional players that warrant consideration.
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, TOR at GS ($9,800): This game could provide a lot of pop. While I could never call Curry an overlooked player, the OKC/NOR game is the unquestionable star of this slate and some might shy away from this potential NBA Final preview. The only thing that could keep Curry from performing well in this game would be a late scratch likely perpetrated by NASA officials (sorry, I couldn't resist). Look for Curry's totals to shoot the moon (ok, I'll stop). He's averaged 31.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals since returning from his groin injury.
Ricky Rubio, UTA vs. MIA ($5,900): I'm ready to give Rubio some exposure after a successful five-game run where he's averaging above 30 DKFP per game. One of those games came against Miami, where he lit up the Heat for 39.75 points. Good numbers for this assist demon shouldn't be surprising against Miami, who gives up an average of 6.3 assists per game versus starting point guards.
Marcus Smart, BOS at WAS ($4,500): Gordon Hayward (illness) is out tonight, so we should expect Smart to see a boost once again. While Hayward doesn't play Smart's position and there's no significant usage metric, Smart seems to benefit when any of the starters take a seat. As long as he is planted at the two, we should keep seeing him hit value at this low price. As I said, I'm high on Brunson at this level, but Smart is another excellent option.
Other guards to consider: Kamba Walker, CHA vs. DET ($8,600), Derrick Rose, MIN at SAC ($5,800), Dennis Schroder, OKC at NO ($5,300)
FORWARDS
John Collins, ATL vs. DAL ($7,800): George is the more plausible play at this range, but you already know that I identified Collins as one of the big breakouts of the 2018-19 season, and it's now impossible to ignore his impact at the four in Atlanta. Granted, he's coming off a career night, and the Mavericks possess a respectable defensive front, but this game is an honorable mention behind the OKC/NO game as a contest worth targeting. The nine-point spread is a bit loose for Atlanta, and I like taking the points for the Hawks.
Draymond Green, TOR at GS ($6,600): Green eased back into his usual role Monday against the Timberwolves, and although he only scored seven points, he gave the Warriors a significant boost of the glass with 10 rebounds. Coach Steve Kerr has stated that Green will get as many minutes as he can handle, and I think he'll take another step forward tonight. When he's healthy, Green is a nightly double-double threat. At this price, he's a steal.
Jaron Blossomgame, CLE vs. NY ($3,400): Go Tigers! If you didn't already know that I grew up in Clemson, SC – now you know. In this instance, I'm happy to report that my personal bias doesn't influence this pick because he's absolutely lighting it up. I've witnessed many a night where Blossomgame embarrassed some of the ACC's best products, and in Cleveland, he now has the opportunity to show that he is the real deal. How many players can you think of that ink a two-way deal and record a double-double within their first week? Not many, I bet.
Other forwards to consider: Domantas Sabonis, IND vs. MIL ($6,700), Andrew Wiggins, MIN at SAC ($6,300), Kent Bazemore, ATL at DAL ($5,500)
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET at CHA ($8,700): I think Anthony Davis might be the only center that will outdo Drummond tonight. Blake Griffin is coming off a rest night, and while he'll have a decent game, the Hornets yielded 65 DKFP to Drummond in their last meeting, and Charlotte doesn't have an option that can match his interior dominance. At under 9K, he's definitely worth squeezing into your lineups. With all the value on the slate, it shouldn't prove too difficult.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. MIA ($7,400): Hassan Whiteside's absence leaves Miami a bit vulnerable, and while the one-two punch of Adebayo and Olynyk are serviceable for the Heat, Gobert should see a nice stat line on Wednesday. He almost hit 50 DKFP against them in their last meeting. Another bonus for the Jazz is that they're playing at home. Utah possesses one of the most lopsided home-away ratios in the early going, playing only 10 games at home out of 28 games.
Jarrett Allen, BKN at PHI ($5,800): I prefer Larry Nance at a similar price, but I've already mentioned him, so I'm selecting Allen with some reservations. He put together two strong games against Philly this season, which makes him stand out at this price point. Joel Embiid's defensive prowess is matchup-dependent, and it seems like Allen's playing style didn't favor Philly's elite big man. I won't put Allen in a cash lineup, but a GPP play is a favorable play.
Other centers to consider: Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at SAC ($10,000). DeAndre Jordan, DAL vs. ATL ($7,300), Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at DAL ($4,400)
