This article is part of our EuroLeague Primer series.
PREGAME UPDATES
- Sergio Llull and Rudy Fernandez will be available for Wednesday's game.
- Amine Noua will be available for ASVEL on Wednesday, but Guerschon Yabusele and Derrick Walton will not be.
- Valencia's Derrick Williams will be available Wednesday, but Guillem Vives will not be.
- CSKA's Will Clyburn will not play Wednesday. Daniel Hackett and Janis Strelnieks will be the team's starting guards in Round 22.
- ALBA's Niels Giffey remains sidelined Wednesday.
THE SLATE
Status Check: Mike James (CSK), Will Clyburn (CSK), Niels Giffey (BER)
Best Bets for Success: The first game of the day won't lack for intrigue, as CSKA decided to deactivate James -- the presumptive MVP favorite -- as a disciplinary measure. With James sidelined, and Clyburn more likely out than not, CSKA figures to lean on its big-man combo of Nikola Milutinov and Tornike Shengelia. Milutinov's exploits are well-documented, as he averaged a double-double over the last 13 Rounds. Shengelia hasn't had as lengthy a run of success, but he is on a hot streak of his own, averaging 25.4 points on DraftKings over his last six appearances. ALBA ranks at or near the bottom against opposing frontcourt players in just about every category, so both will be in position to return useful value in Wednesday's contests. The German team has been led by Jayson Granger of late, but with his minutes trending down and Peyton Siva's trending up, their safest option Wednesday will be Luke Sikma. The versatile forward was in vintage form in ALBA's last domestic game, and he has been his club's most consistent player when healthy.
DFS Darlings: Although it came with Granger getting some rest, Siva also looked to be back in top form of ALBA's last domestic contest. He averaged 27.5 points on DraftKings over the six games he played in before missing time with an injury, and if he can match that Wednesday, he will provide plenty of value on that website at just $8,000. Ben Lammers could have been included in the section above, but his price tag also qualifies him for this one. If you throw out the game in which he injured his ankle and his first game back, he has reached double figures in six straight contests. Shengelia won't be the only CSKA player to benefit from James' absence, as all of Darrun Hilliard, Daniel Hackett and Janis Strelnieks should see more run. Hilliard scored a career-high 31 points last time James sat out, but be aware ALBA is giving up the fewest points to opposing guards. Hackett and Strelnieks are a bit more appealing, as neither costs even $7,000 and ALBA is allowing backcourt players to do plenty in the other categories.
TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz at 
LDLC ASVEL
Status Check: Amine Noua (ASV)
Best Bets for Success: With James out of action, Pierria Henry is averaging the most DraftKings points on the slate. Henry topped the 30-point mark on that website five times over the last seven Rounds, and he will be in position to get there again Wednesday. ASVEL is allowing the most points and steals to opposing guards and is also giving up plenty of rebounds and assists to players at those positions. Achille Polonara is the most expensive player on Wednesday's DratKings slate with James out, which is warranted with his average of 32.9 points on that website over the last nine Rounds. He will have his work cut out for him, though, as the French team has been far more stingy on frontcourt players. You could make a case for a number of ASVEL players here, but given the success Baskonia has had containing opposing forwards and centers, their top option figures to be a guard. Norris Cole, who has averaged 14.8 points, 3.4 assists and 1.8 threes since rejoining the starting lineup earlier this month, more than fits that bill.
DFS Darlings: While Baskonia has all kinds of big men to throw at him, ASVEL's Moustapha Fall is still worth considering in Wednesday's contests. At just $7,300, Fall is providing the most average value on the board, and he has recorded at least 25.3 points on DraftKings seven times this season. Derrick Walton, just $4,900 on the same website and now starting, also earns a mention here. For the Spanish side, Luca Vildoza and Tonye Jekiri will both be in play Wednesday. Vildoza gets the same matchup as Henry, and Jekiri had his best game of the season last time he faced his former squad. Youssoupha Fall could be considered as well, but there are only so many stats to go around for the Baskonia big men.
Zalgiris Kaunas at 
Valencia Basket
Status Check: Patricio Garino (ZAL), Steve Vasturia (ZAL), Derrick Williams (PAM), Joan Sastre (PAM)
Best Bets for Success: Joffrey Lauvergne has been just as productive as Marius Grigonis in recent weeks, so they both land here for Round 22. Valencia has been pretty tough on both guards and centers, but both players reached double figures last time these teams met in Round 5, and neither is particularly pricey on DraftKings. Valencia's Bojan Dubljevic will return to action Wednesday, and while he's his team's best player, he may not be at full speed after a lengthy absence. It's not easy identifying a top option for the Spanish squad in Round 22, but should Williams sit, Nikola Kalinic would presumably be their best bet. Kalinic averaged just a shade under 25.0 points on DraftKings over the last five Rounds.
DFS Darlings: Valencia is bringing up the rear when it comes to points, rebounds and threes allowed to opposing forwards, which sets up Nigel Hayes for a big day. He is coming off a couple quiet games, but that will help save you a few bucks in your lineups. Augustine Rubit is also worth considering in this matchup, and Paulius Jankunas has done enough recently to at least warrant a mention. Klemen Prepelic's best run of the season came when Sastre was out for several weeks, and with him back on the sidelines, there's reason to believe Prepelic can pick up the pace again. It won't cost you much to find out, as he checks in at just $6,800. While it would be a shot in the dark, Vanja Marinkovic is at least worth considering Wednesday. He is far more talented than his $4,400 price suggests, and should he be ready to rejoin the rotation after an extended absence, a 5x-value night is not out of the question.
Panathinaikos OPAP Athens at 
Real Madrid
Status Check: Ioannis Papapetrou (PAN), Georgios Papagiannis (PAN), Anthony Randolph (MAD), Sergio Llull (MAD), Nicolas Laprovittola (MAD), Rudy Fernandez (MAD)
Best Bets for Success: With Panathinaikos again down two of its top three players, the remaining one -- Nemanja Nedovic -- remains the clear top option for his squad. Nedovic has been a bit hit-or-miss lately, but he hit his last time out, and also last time he faced Madrid, putting 27 points on the scoreboard and recording 35.3 points on DraftKings. Teammate Konstantinos Mitoglou is not far behind Nedovic, though. Mitoglou won't have as easy a matchup as he did his last time out, but he has a history of producing when given the opportunity, and he will certainly have that Wednesday. Walter Tavares is Madrid's top option regardless of who suits up around him, but he carries even more appeal than usual in Round 22. Tavares put up 20 points and 14 rebounds last time he faced Panathinaikos, and that came with Papagiannis -- the league leader in blocks -- on the court. With Papagiannis out Wednesday, the Greek team could have a tough time offering much resistance down low.
DFS Darlings: With Laprovittola out Wednesday, Madrid will need other players to do more facilitating. Carlos Alocen will likely start at point guard, and he's worth considering at a mere $4,200. However, Alberto Abalde is more likely to produce in fantasy contests, and he is plenty affordable at just $6,500. Keep an eye on Llull's status, as his return would dampen expectations for both players. Trey Thompkins isn't as cheap as his teammates, but with an average of 25.4 DraftKings points over the last five Rounds, he is one of the better upper-end values on the board. Panathinaikos has been pretty top-heavy of late when it comes to splitting up the numbers, which doesn't leave much room for value lower on the list. Should he hang onto a starting spot, though, Zach Auguste is at least worth considering at just $4,700.
