After the final group play matchups on Tuesday, Wednesday delivers a seven-game slate. DraftKings continues to offer huge tournaments for DFS players and below are some of my favorite targets at each position.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Fadeaway [100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings, $8,800
Ignore that George disappointed with only 24.5 DKFP vs. the Nuggets on Monday and roster the veteran with confidence tonight. Before Monday, the 33-year-old had recorded at least 42 DKFP in seven consecutive starts. This season, George is leading the Clippers with a 28.8% usage rate and 1.2 DKFP per minute.
As for his matchup, George is facing a Kings’ team that is on the second leg of back-to-back, ranks 19th in defensive efficiency and ranks eighth in pace. This is a notable pace increase for this Los Angeles team that ranks 22nd in pace, and this tilt is expected to be a nail-biter, with the Clippers favored by only one point on the DraftKings Sportsbook. George should exceed five-times value in this setting and should come with depressed ownership after Monday’s rare dud.
Other Options: Devin Booker ($10,300; if Kevin Durant is out), Desmond Bane ($8,500), Fred VanVleet ($8,300)
Value
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards, $6,700
The Magic are the hottest team in the NBA, winning seven straight games, and Anthony has been a huge part of their success. Orlando’s sixth man is coming off a season-best 54.75 DKFP performance vs. the Hornets and is producing 34.4 DKFP in 28.8 minutes per game during this win streak for the Magic. Anthony is handling a 25.4% usage rate this season and after carving up Charlotte on Sunday, the guard gets another gorgeous matchup Wednesday, with the Wizards ranking second-to-last in defensive efficiency and third in pace.
The Magic boast a massive implied team total of 121.75 points on the DraftKings Sportsbook in this spot, which is the largest total they have seen this season. Anthony’s excellent play should continue Wednesday and he is an appealing target for all formats, despite his season-high price tag.
Other Options: Reggie Jackson ($6,300 if Jamal Murray is out), Keyonte George ($6,100, boost if Jordan Clarkson is out), Jaden Ivey ($5,700), Jose Alvarado ($4,200)
Forward
Stud
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards, $8,200
Banchero is another great way to attack the Magic in this dream matchup vs. the Wizards. The 21-year-old is leading Orlando with a 26.5% usage rate this season and he gets the benefit of playing on his home floor Wednesday. Banchero is amassing 40.5 DKFP per game at home this season, which is 5.9 DKFP per game better than when he competes on the road.
Banchero just posted 47.75 DKFP vs. the Hornets on Sunday and brings a similar upside tonight.
Other Options: LeBron James ($9,900), Franz Wagner ($7,500)
Value
Simone Fontecchio, Utah Jazz at Memphis Grizzlies, $4,700
With Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) unavailable Monday, Fontecchio started and finished with 27.5 DKFP across 28 minutes vs. the Pelicans, both of which set new season highs for the forward. Markkanen will remain sidelined on Wednesday, which should keep Fontecchio as a starter. The 27-year-old should continue to receive 25-30 minutes, with room for more, if Kelly Olynyk (questionable, shoulder) joins Markkanen on the sidelines.
Nevertheless, Fontecchio has a strong chance to outperform his salary against this Grizzlies’ team that has dropped four in a row. The forward is generating 0.9 DKFP per minute with Markkanen off the floor this season and 23 DKFP per game for the last 10 times he has logged at least 25 minutes.
Other Options: Austin Reaves ($6,500), Santi Aldama ($6,400), Norman Powell ($5,000)
Center
Stud
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Pelicans, $11,800
Embiid is leading the NBA in usage this season (35.6%) and has been dominant as of late, tallying at least 64 DKFP in four straight starts. Overall, the reigning MVP is scoring an insane 1.8 DKFP per minute this season. Embiid’s matchup Wednesday isn’t perfect, with the Pelicans ranking 13th in defensive efficiency, but he is in too strong of form to ignore right now and in two matchups against New Orleans last season, Embiid had no issues, averaging 62.1 DKFP per game.
The 76ers are one-point favorites over the Pelicans on the DraftKings Sportsbook and for the nine occasions Philadelphia has been favorited this season, Embiid has responded with 66.4 DKFP per game.
Other Options: Nikola Jokic ($12,800, if active), Anthony Davis ($9,800), Alperen Sengun ($8,500)
Value
Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns, $6,000
Poeltl has flashed solid upside recently, providing at least 39 DKFP in three of his past six starts and should see big minutes in this spot that requires his size to match up with Jusuf Nurkic. The Suns are allowing the eighth most points in the paint and Poeltl will be at home in Toronto, where the center has topped 30 DKFP in five of his nine starts this season.
Poeltl is never a player who comes with much ownership and is a great sleeper to attack in large tournaments on Wednesday.
Other Options: Jalen Duren ($7,900), Walker Kessler ($5,900), Deandre Jordan ($4,400, if Nikola Jokic is out), Jonathan Isaac ($4,100, if active)
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Hunta512) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
