This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
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TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs: The competition for the best defense this season has been fierce. The Spurs are one of the leading contenders, ranking third in opponent points per game and opponent points per possession, and fourth in rebound percentage. Though the Grizzlies have fallen a step behind the Rockets, the Warriors, and the Spurs, as long as Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Tony Allen remain healthy, the Grizzlies remain formidable. The Grizzlies have allowed the fourth fewest points per game in the league, and that's despite allowing 105 or more points in five of their last seven games. Given the Grizzlies' recent cold-ish streak (they were warm enough to snap the Warrior's 16-game win streak Tuesday), the Spurs rank more as "be wary" than "steer clear", but it's easy to imagine this game turning into an 85-80 plod-fest – which would be bad for almost every player involved.
Offenses to Use
Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons: Though the Pistons are a terribly inefficient offense, but their rotation is mostly consistent, which is a giant advantage in fantasy. Additionally, the Mavericks are one of the league's worst defenses. The Pistons are young and athletic enough that they ought to do a better-than-average job of keeping pace with the Mavericks' well-spaced offense, which will, hopefully, allow them to prevent a blowout. I don't like any center facing off against Tyson Chandler, but the Mavericks' wings and guards are all favorable matchups.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks
Second game of a back-to-back: Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Jerryd Bayless, MIL (at POR), PG, ($4,300): Bayless has scored at least 22 fantasy points in four of his last five outings. As is the case with Jodie Meeks, bench players with reliable roles in a rotation are a great place to find value while preserving salary for the big-money performers. It's been more than two weeks since Bayless last saw fewer than 20 minutes in a game.
Other suggestions: Patrick Beverley, HOU (at DEN), PG, ($5,500)
Shooting Guard
Jodie Meeks, DET (vs DAL), SG, ($3,300): Wednesday will mark Meek's fourth game of the season, but he's played well out of the gate – and DraftKings is still only charging near-minimum for him. Meeks fits the mold of a "three-and-D" wing player, the former of which is particularly valuable against a Mavericks team that is worst in the league at perimeter defense. Starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has played fewer minutes in each successive game that Meeks has been available, while Meeks played a season-high 30 minutes in their most recent contest.
Other suggestions: Lou Williams, TOR (vs BKN), SG, ($4,600); Kyle Korver, ATL (at CLE), SG, ($5,600)
Small Forward
Josh Smith, DET (vs DAL), SF, ($7,700): Smith is the Piston best positioned to take advantage of the matchup with the Mavericks. The Mavericks are a weak defense regardless of who they are playing, and no forward on their roster can matchup with Smith's combination of size, strength, and ability.
Other suggestions: Kyle Anderson, SA (vs MEM), SF, ($3,000); Tobias Harris, ORL (at BOS), SF, ($7,200)
Power Forward
Tim Duncan, SA (vs MEM), PF, ($8,600): As mentioned above, this is a game I'd rather avoid, but the power forward position looks tough Wednesday. Though this game might turn into a defensive grinder, it looks likely to be a close contest, which is good for Duncan's value. On top of that, Duncan's abilities to rebound, assist, and block shots provide avenues through which Duncan can rack up fantasy points even when he isn't scoring.
Other suggestions: Darrell Arthur, DEN (vs HOU), PF, ($4,000)
Center
Meyers Leonard, POR (vs MIL), C, ($3,000): The Trail Blazers had enjoyed a remarkably healthy season amongst their big men before Robin Lopez's hand injury Monday. Wednesday will mark Robin Lopez's first missed game of the season. Reserve Chris Kaman has not yet missed a game, and LaMarcus Aldridge has missed only one game – on November 15. As result, there is a lot of speculation and precious little hard evidence regarding who takes over for Lopez. Joel Freeland is considered by many as the most likely player to step in as the primary beneficiary, but I'm casting my lot with Meyers Leonard. Freeland has seen far more work, averaging 10 minutes in 22 games to Leonard's eight minutes per game through eight appearances. But in Aldridge's lone missed game, it was Leonard who filled in for 30 minutes (and 24 fantasy points), while Freeland played only 18. Furthermore, even with extra minutes, Freeland's upside is limited – prorating his average production, he would need at least 25 minutes to earn a profit, yet Lopez only averaged 28 minutes per game. Leonard, on the other hand, projects to profit after only about 18 minutes.
Other suggestions: Dwight Howard, HOU (at DEN), C, ($9,000)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Vitor Faverani (knee)
Marcus Thornton (calf)
James Young (shoulder)
Brook Lopez (back)
Randy Foye (quadriceps)
JaVale Mcgee (leg)
Jason Terry (personal)
Terrence Jones (leg)
Francisco Garcia (calf)
Paul George (leg)
George Hill (quadriceps)
Ian Mahinmi (foot)
Chris Bosh (calf)
Josh McRoberts (knee)
Jabari Parker (knee)
Aaron Gordon (foot)
Robin Lopez (hand)
Tony Parker (hamstring)
Kawhi Leonard (hand)
Patty Mills (shoulder)
Derrick Favors (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
Pero Antic (illness) is active for Wednesday's game.
Marcus Smart (Achilles) is doubtful.
Sergey Karasev (oblique) is day-to-day after leaving Tuesday's game with the injury.
Mike Miller (concussion) is a game-time decision.
Cody Zeller (nose) will play.
Danilo Gallinari (knee) is on track to play Wednesday.
Kenneth Faried (ankle) is on track to play Wednesday.
Dwight Howard (knee) is listed as questionable Wednesday. He did not appear to suffer any setbacks in his Saturday return from an 11-game absence, and so the designation appears precautionary.
Kostas Papanikolaou (knee) is questionable.
Isaiah Canaan (ankle) is expected to return Wednesday.
Spencer Hawes (knee) is a game-time decision.
Danny Granger (illness) is a game-time decision.
Tony Allen (eye) is questionable.
Goran Dragic (back) is a game-time decision.
C.J. McCollum (finger) is probable.
Manu Ginobili (back) is a game-time decision.
Tiago Splitter (calf) is a game-time decision.
Derrick Favors (ankle) is a game-time decision.
