This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BKN (-3.5) vs. IND, O/U: 231.5
MIL (-5.5) vs. PHI, O/U: 236
SAC vs. WAS (-3), O/U: 245.5
TOR (-3.5) vs. DET, O/U: 220.5
BOS (-9.5) vs. CLE, O/U: 217.5
GS (-11.5) vs. HOU, O/U: 226.5
SA vs. CHI (-1.5), O/U: 227.5
CHA vs. DEN (-6.5), O/U: 230.5
MIA (-2) vs. MEM, O/U: 220.5
LAC (-2.5) vs. DAL, O/U: 226.5
Wednesday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and includes 10 games. The Rockets are still shorthanded as John Wall remains out while Victor Oladipo (rest) is unlikely to play, and Christian Wood (ankle) is listed as questionable. Fred VanVleet (COVID-19) is doubtful, but Pascal Siakam (COVID-19) appears on track to play after an extended absence. The Spurs are still without DeMar DeRozan, while the Sixers will continue to adjust without Joel Embiid. I'd expect a stars-and-scrubs-style build to be popular tonight, as there are plenty of appealing spend-up options and likely enough cheap value with 20 teams to choose from.
The WAS-SAC matchup has a whopping 245.5 total and will be a trendy game to target. The Kings' side will be popular, especially after Marvin Bagley broke his hand on Monday. Tyler Haliburton started the second half in his absence, and I'd expect him to be in many DFS lineups if he gets the nod tonight. Any of the Kings' starters are good options tonight, while Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal and Rui Hachimura make for viable run-backs. Tonight will be a rare occasion where the later games are less targeted. Still, popularity doesn't matter as much on big slates, so focus on targeting the best plays from a point-per-dollar and ceiling perspective rather than looking for leverage in sub-optimal spots.
Injuries to Monitor
Joel Embiid (knee): OUT
Embiid will miss about two weeks after an MRI revealed no structural damage in his knee. Tony Bradley ($4,000) has been starting at center in his absence, while Dwight Howard ($5,800) has seen extra run off the bench.
Christian Wood (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Wood hasn't played since Feb. 4, but coach Stephen Silas said there is a chance he plays tonight. Justin Patton ($4,800) has been starting at center in his absence.
Victor Oladipo (rest): QUESTIONABLE
Oladipo is expected to rest for the second half of a back-to-back tonight. Kevin Porter ($6,800) and Sterling Brown ($4,600) will likely start at guard.
DeMar DeRozan (personal): OUT
DeRozan will miss a fourth consecutive game as he deals with the death of his father. Lonnie Walker ($4,000) started in his place last time out.
Fred VanVleet (COVID-19): DOUBTFUL
VanVleet has been cleared to practice, but it appears likely he will miss another game tonight. Terence Davis ($3,600) got the start at shooting guard last time out.
John Wall (knee): OUT
Wall will miss a fifth consecutive game tonight as he deals with a lingering knee injury. Victor Oladipo (rest) is also expected to be out, so Kevin Porter ($6,800) and Sterling Brown ($4,600) will likely start at the guard positions.
Pascal Siakam (COVID-19): QUESTIONABLE
Siakam hasn't played since Feb. 24 but appears on track to play tonight, assuming he is cleared. Keep an eye out for news as he could be on a minutes limit.
Marvin Bagley (hand): OUT
Bagley suffered a fractured left hand on Monday and will be out indefinitely. It's unclear who will start in his place, but Nemanja Bjelica ($3,700) should see an expanded role in his absence.
Serge Ibaka (back): QUESTIONABLE
Ibaka sat out on Monday after injured in his back on Sunday and is listed as questionable for tonight. Ivica Zubac ($4,500) started at center last time out.
Elite Players
Guard:
James Harden ($10,900)
Harden has four triple-doubles in his last five games. He's scored at least 64 DK points in each of those games, and his recent numbers could've actually been better had he not shot just 1-19 from three-point range in his last three. As long as Kevin Durant remains out, Harden will be a bargain for under 11K regardless of matchup.
Point guard is loaded tonight as Luka Doncic ($10,700) and Russell Westbrook ($10,400) round out the guards with five-figure salaries on tonight's slate. Doncic has two triple-doubles in his last three games and is coming off 68.5 DK points last time out against the Clippers and gets the same matchup again tonight. Westbrook has had some massive games recently, including an 80.5 DK point night, and the WAS-SAC matchup has a whopping 245.5 total. You can make a credible argument for choosing any of the three. Usually, I'd consider popularity, but on a 10-game slate, that doesn't matter as much, and when that's the case, I prefer to let salary and matchup dictate my decision.
Center:
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,000)
Giannis has three consecutive triple-doubles and has put up over 70 DK points in back-to-back games. He has a favorable matchup against the Sixers, who are without Joel Embiid. He projects for the most real-life points on the slate, and he's my preferred spend-up option tonight.
Nikola Jokic ($10,800) will make for a great pivot if he's going to be significantly less popular than Giannis. He's topped 60 DK points in three of his last five games, and the Nuggets are playing in a bit of a pace-up spot tonight against the Hornets.
Forward:
Jimmy Butler ($9,700) is the most expensive small forward on the slate, and his salary seems a little high now that Bam Adebayo is back. I would expect Butler's usage to take a slight hit going forward, and as far as tonight is concerned, spending up at guard and center should be the priority.
Expected Chalk
The Kings, in general, will be relatively popular as the matchup against the Wizards has a massive 245.5 total. Haliburton started the second half of Monday's game after Marvin Bagley broke his hand in the first half and is expected to get the start tonight.
It's also possible that someone like Nemanja Bjelica ($3,700) could start in Bagley's place. If that happens, Haliburton would still be popular, but less so. At the same time, I'd expect Bjelica to be a chalky value option.
Value Picks
Kevin Porter ($6,800)
Porter has scored at least 42 DK points in three of his four games since being called up from the G League. John Wall is out again, and Victor Oladipo is expected to rest. Porter played 41 minutes last night and should be in line for big minutes and usage again.
Richaun Holmes ($6,700)
Holmes has four consecutive double-doubles and is coming off 57.75 DK points last time out. Marvin Bagley is out injured, and that could give him a slight usage bump. Holmes was also given power forward eligibility for the first time this season.
Rui Hachimura ($5,800)
Hachimura has consecutive games of 41.25 and 52.25 DK points, and the Wizards have a prime matchup against the Kings in a game that has a 245.5 total.
Sterling Brown ($4,600)
Brown is expected to start for the resting Victor Oladipo tonight. With John Wall also out, Brown should see significant minutes and usage for an affordable salary.
Tomas Satoransky ($3,800)
Satoransky has started back-to-back games as coach Billy Donovan has favored his veterans in the starting lineup. He's put up over 30 DK points in both games while seeing 26 and 31 minutes, and his salary is very affordable for a favorable matchup against the Spurs.
