This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIA (-1.5) vs. IND, O/U: 216.5
POR (-6.5) vs. DET, O/U: 221
DAL (-1.5) vs. BOS, O/U: 224.5
HOU vs. BKN (-14.5), O/U: 230.5
NY (-3.5) vs. MIN, O/U: 219
TOR (-7.5) vs. OKC, O/U: 223
UTA (-5) vs. MEM, O/U: 227.5
SAC vs. SA (-2.5), O/U: 230.5
CHI vs. PHX (-6.5), O/U: 222.5
MIL (-8.5) vs. LAL, O/U: 222
Wednesday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and includes 10 games. Donovan Mitchell (personal) and Victor Oladipo (illness) have already been ruled out. Zach LaVine (ankle), John Wall (knee) and Jaylen Brown (hip) are listed as questionable. James Harden is coming off back-to-back games of 77.5 and 78.75 DK points, and tonight's matchup is against his old team, the Rockets.
The UTA-MEM matchup is an appealing game to target tonight. Donovan Mitchell (personal) is out while Mike Conley ($5,800), Joe Ingles ($5,600) and Jordan Clarkson ($5,500) have affordable salaries for what should be an up-tempo and competitive matchup against Memphis. Ja Morant ($7,300) and Jonas Valanciunas ($7,600) make viable run-back options on the Grizzlies. I expect the Jazz side to be popular. It makes sense to roster two of them with all the minutes and usage available in the absence of Mitchell.
Injuries to Monitor
Donovan Mitchell (personal): OUT
Mitchell will miss tonight's game due to personal reasons. Joe Ingles ($5,600) will likely start, while Jordan Clarkson ($5,800) should see extra run off the bench.
Zach LaVine (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
LaVine sprained his ankle on Monday and is listed as questionable for tonight. His presumed replacement, Coby White (neck), is also questionable after sitting out last game. Ryan Arcidiacono ($3,000) and Javonte Green ($3,000) could see extra run if either were to miss tonight.
John Wall (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Wall is listed as questionable tonight due to left knee effusion. If he were to miss, Sterling Brown ($4,700) and D.J. Augustin ($3,800) would likely see increased roles.
Jaylen Brown (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Brown missed Monday's game with a hip injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Evan Fournier ($6,300) could get the start if Brown is ruled out.
Victor Oladipo (illness): OUT
Oladipo will miss another game due to a head cold. Kendrick Nunn (ankle) is listed as questionable after missing Monday's game. Goran Dragic ($5,100) got the start last time out, while Tyler Herro ($5,400) saw extended run off the bench.
Luguentz Dort (concussion): OUT
Dort will miss a second consecutive game after suffering a concussion on Saturday. Svi Mykhailiuk ($4,200) got the start at shooting guard in his absence.
Elite Players
Guard:
James Harden ($10,900)
Harden is coming off back-to-back games of 78.75 and 77.5 DK points. It's surprising to see his salary still under $11K with all the big games he's had recently. Tonight's matchup against the Rockets is a "revenge game" if you believe in that sort of thing. He's the top play on the slate regardless, but the Nets are 14.5-point favorites, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him play fewer minutes in a blowout.
Center:
Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,800)
Towns is coming off 62 DK points last time out, as he's starting to show more consistent upside. He's topped 50 DK points in seven of his last 10 and with four games over 60 in that span. The matchup against the Knicks might not seem ideal, but they have no one who can guard Towns, especially without Mitchell Robinson. I don't expect him to be very popular tonight, and those are the best times to take a chance, as he always has the potential to be the slate's highest scorer.
If Zach LaVine ends up being out, Nikola Vucevic ($9,100) will be my preferred spend-up option at center. LaVine eats up so much of the Bulls' usage, and Vucevic would likely stand to benefit most from his absence.
Forward:
Luka Doncic ($10,700) and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,500)
Both Doncic and Giannis have been underwhelming of late, and it will likely make them less popular than they normally would be on a 10-game slate. Giannis has seen his salary drop to its lowest point in months after three consecutive duds. The Bucks have struggled in back-to-back losses, but tonight's matchup against the shorthanded Lakers should be a get-right spot. If choosing between the two, I'd lean towards Giannis based on matchup and his higher propensity for ceiling games over the course of the season.
Expected Chalk
Mike Conley ($5,800) and Joe Ingles ($5,600)
Donovan Mitchell (personal) has been ruled out, and Ingles will start at shooting guard in his absence. He's done well in these spots throughout the season, as he benefits from a significant increase in minutes and usage without Mitchell on the floor. Conley has seen his salary drop under $6K for the first time in a while. He should also see a bump in minutes and usage in Mitchell's absence, and tonight's matchup against the Grizzlies should be a bit of a pace-up spot for the Jazz. I'd expect both guys to be among the most popular plays on the slate.
Value Picks
Kristaps Porzingis ($7,900)
Porzingis has finally started to flash some upside, as he's scored at least 53 DK points in two of his last three games. For some reason, he's actually seen a decrease in salary for tonight's matchup against the Celtics.
Dennis Schroder ($7,100)
Schroder has topped 40 DK points in three consecutive games, as he's seen a significant usage bump in the absence of LeBron James. I'd expect his salary to keep rising.
Kevin Porter ($6,000)
Porter's salary has come down for an up-tempo matchup against the Nets. He played 36 minutes last time out, and if John Wall (knee) is ruled out, Porter would have big upside at $6,000.
Jordan Clarkson ($5,500)
Clarkson is another player who will benefit from the absence of Donovan Mitchell tonight. He should see extra minutes and usage, and we've seen him go for big games in these spots in the past.
Saben Lee ($4,300)
Lee put up 33.75 DK points in 26 minutes last time out, as he's started consecutive games at point guard after the Pistons traded Delon Wright. He and Cory Joseph ($4,000) should see the majority of minutes at point guard going forward.
Chicago Bulls (if Zach LaVine is out)
The Bulls will have multiple cheap value options if Zach LaVine ends up being ruled out. Patrick Williams is already viable, and whoever gets the start at guard alongside Tomas Satoransky would be a good option as well. Coby White ($5,200), Denzel Valentine ($3,200) and Ryan Arcidiacono ($3,200) could all be in play.
