This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With six games on the schedule for Wednesday's slate, there's plenty of options to sort through at all levels of the price scale. The following list should provide a handful of players to consider building your lineup around:
GUARDS:
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. BOS ($7,900): The Raptors currently hold a two-game lead over the Celtics for the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings, so Toronto should have all their starters playing and seeing their typical workloads in an effort to extend their lead. DeRozan, specifically, just carved up the Celtics on Saturday, posting 32 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and one block across 36 minutes, which was good enough for 51.9 FanDuel points. With plenty on the line in terms of playoff positioning, as well as DeRozan's recent success against Boston, fantasy owners should feel comfortable paying up a bit for him at a near $8,000 price.
Rajon Rondo, NOP vs. MEM ($6,300): Rondo has been alternating duds and solid games for the last few weeks, but he should be able to take advantage of young and inexperienced Grizzlies backcourt Wednesday. The Grizzlies will likely be starting rookie undrafted free agent Kobi Simmons at the point, which should give Rondo the favorable matchup overall. Again, Rondo's fluctuations in production are certainly concerning, but his matchup and ability to put up a near triple-double on any given night is enough upside for me to feel good suggesting him.
Josh Hart, LAL vs. SAS ($4,500): The Lakers are expected to be without Lonzo Ball (knee) once again, which should afford Alex Caruso another start at point guard. That said, it's really been Hart that's taken advantage of Ball's absence the most and he's posted 28 or more FanDuel points in two of the last three games. That sort of upside at a $4,500 price, as well as a likely 30-plus minute workload, leads me to looking at Hart as one of the better cheap guard options for Wednesday's slate.
FORWARDS:
Anthony Davis, NOP vs. MEM ($12,300): Davis is ridiculously expensive, but is one of only two players priced $10,000 or above. Andre Drummond (illness) is the other and there's a chance he's ultimately held out. As a result, getting Davis in your lineup should be key, as he easily has the most upside of any other player on the slate. Davis has averaged 56.9 FanDuel points over his last eight games, topping out at 78.8 against the Trail Blazers. He's set to face off with an injury depleted Grizzlies squad that will be without starter JaMychal Green in the froncourt. There's also a handful of players near minimum price, so that should give fantasy owners every opportunity to pay up for Davis despite having an absurdly high salary.
Mario Hezonja, ORL vs. DAL ($5,600): The Magic are set to be without the likes of Jonathon Simmons (wrist), Jonathan Isaac (ankle) and Evan Fournier (knee) once again, so Hezonja should be in the starting lineup at small forward. In Tuesday's start against the Knicks, Hezonja played a whopping 36 minutes, posting 19 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block (32.7 FanDuel points). His price hasn't inflated too much and at $5,600, he should have every opportunity to hit value. The Mavericks, his opposition, are also expected to hold out the likes of Dennis Smith (knee), Dwight Powell (knee), Dirk Nowitzki (ankle) and Harrison Barnes (rest), so they'll be without four of their typical starters.
Maxi Kleber, DAL at ORL ($3,700): As I mentioned above in Hezonja's section, the Mavericks are holding out four of their usual starters. That will likely prompt Kleber to get the call in the top unit, which could afford him a minutes load in the upper-20s or low-30s. Kleber has posted 26 FanDuel points or more in two of his last three contests and at a near minimum price, that sort of production would easily be hitting value. Again, in order to pay up for Davis, a few guys like Kleber will be necessary to fit him in.
CENTERS:
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at DAL ($9,300): As I've stated multiple times already, the Mavericks are going to be down a slew of players, so Vucevic should be able to match up against guys like Maxi Kleber and Salah Mejri for much of the night. That puts Vucevic in a favorable spot and should allow him to notch his sixth straight double-double. Over the last five games, Vucevic has averaged 16.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 blocks, which was good enough for 42.0 FanDuel points. While he'll need to push a little closer to 50 FanDuel points to hit value, that's entirely possible against a depleted Mavericks squad.
Richaun Holmes, PHI at DET ($4,200): Both Embiid and Dario Saric remain out for the 76ers, so Holmes should continue to have an elevated role in the frontcourt. His last time out Tuesday against the Nets, Holmes posted 35.0 FanDuel points, which is fantastic upside for a guy priced at $4,200. Of course, Andre Drummond is a concerning matchup in playing the Pistons, though there's a chance he's ultimately held out with an illness. For that reason, Holmes is one of the better cheap center options for Wednesday's slate.
