Wednesday’s main slate on DraftKings features the first eight games of the night. DraftKings has featured the first eight games of the night. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players and below, I break down some of my favorite options at each position.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $100K Fadeaway [$25K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $10,600
Gilgeous-Alexander is an appealing spend with Chet Holmgren (hip) sidelined. Monday was the first start Gilgeous-Alexander has made with Holmgren inactive since the big man made his NBA debut last season, and Gilgeous-Alexander did not disappoint, erupting 77.75 FPTS across 39 minutes vs. the Clippers. With Holmgren off the court the last two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander’s usage has increased 6.5 percentage points to a massive 39.3%, lifting the guard to 1.7 FPTS per minute.
The Pelicans rank 28th in defensive efficiency and are extremely shorthanded right now, and Gilgeous-Alexander should easily out produce his price tag in this juicy spot.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($9,000), Jalen Brunson ($8,600), Cam Thomas ($7,000)
Value
Jaylen Nowell, New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder, $3,400
Starter or reserve, Nowell should see enough playing time Wednesday to exceed five-times value at this low salary. The Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson (hamstring), C.J. McCollum (adductor), Dejounte Murray (hand), Jose Alvarado (hamstring), Jordan Hawkins (back) and Herbert Jones (shoulder), leaving them extremely shorthanded, especially on ball handlers.
Alvarado was the only player of this group active Monday, but he was limited to 18 minutes due to the hamstring injury and as a result, Nowell logged 22 minutes off the bench and posted 21.75 FPTS vs. the Nets. Nowell is scoring 0.82 FPTS per minute with a 22.8% usage rate this season, and he has a great chance to top 20 FPTS with his team so depleted Wednesday.
Other Options: Brandon Boston Jr. ($6,000), Payton Pritchard ($5,100), Stephon Castle ($4,700)
Forward
Stud
Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets, $7,200
With the Clippers desperate for scoring outside of James Harden this season, Powell has stepped up, producing 38.1 FPTS in 34.2 minutes per game. The veteran’s usage has been awesome at 26.6% and Powell is shooting a career-best 53% from the field.
The Rockets aren’t the best matchup, ranking fifth in defensive efficiency, but Powell is underpriced for his current role and form, and is a strong value play at this salary.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,500), Jaylen Brown ($8,100)
Value
Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $4,700
Dort is a compelling value play with Holmgren unavailable. With the center inactive Monday vs. the Clippers, Dort finished with 27.5 FPTS in 35 minutes. This set a season-high in playing time for the wing and with Holmgren off the court this season, Dort has been one of the primary beneficiaries, with his usage rising 3.0 percentage points to 18.2%, resulting in an efficient 1.1 FPTS per minute for Dort.
Facing this understaffed Pelicans’ team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency for the season, Dort has a ceiling over 30 FPTS.
Other Options: OG Anunoby ($5,700), Keldon Johnson ($5,700), Javonte Green ($4,500)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs vs. Washington Wizards, $10,900
Wembanyama is fresh off a season-best 71.25 DraftKings point outing vs. the Kings and finds himself in an even better spot Wednesday with the Wizards in town. This season, Washington ranks third in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency, making them one of the top matchups in the league to attack.
Plus, Jeremy Sochan (thumb) remains out and with him off the floor this season, Wembanyama is supplying 1.6 FPTS per minute. Wembanyama should dominate in this situation and is well worth his hefty price tag.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,700), Jalen Williams ($8,100)
Value
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets, $4,500
Al Horford played Tuesday night vs. the Hawks, meaning the veteran will be rested Wednesday. At 38 years old, Horford no longer plays in both legs of back-to-back sets and with the big man missing, Queta should see 20-25 minutes, regardless if he starts or not. The center has been an effective bench player for the Celtics this season, providing 0.9 FPTS per minute and Queta has exceeded 20 FPTS in five of his last seven games coming into Wednesday.
Queta posted 23.5 FPTS against the Nets this past Friday and he should have a similar performance in Wednesday’s rematch with Brooklyn.
Other Options: Bobby Portis ($6,800), Goga Bitadze ($5,400), Luke Kornet ($4,000)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $100K Fadeaway [$25K to 1st]
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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.
