The NBA has a juicy nine-game Wednesday night feast prepared for the main slate of DFS fantasy basketball on DraftKings. The action gets off to a fast start with four games tipping off at 7:00 p.m. ET and two more following within the hour. Don’t overlook the late games, though, since there are some strong Western Conference plays in the final matchups of the night. Of the 18 teams in action, the Celtics, Raptors, Rockets and Spurs are playing for a second night in a row. As we get closer to tip time, be sure to monitor the latest updates to today’s injury report for updates from those four teams and the latest info on who’s in and who’s out.
The three teams highlighted below are strong stacking options for DFS fantasy basketball based on their matchup and the players’ expected workload. Be sure to finalize your roster for Wednesday’s fantasy basketball contests on DraftKings, headlined by the NBA $300K Excellent 8’s [$100K to 1st].
Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat
The Hawks passed the Grizzlies on Sunday for the fastest pace in the NBA, but they only scored 98 points on Monday in their win over the Heat. It was the second night of a back-to-back set though, so they should be revved up and ready to run as they take their talents to South Beach on Wednesday. They still have the highest pace in the NBA over the last 15 games, although they slid back behind the Grizz for the season.
Core Plays: Trae Young ($9,400) is surprisingly affordable under $9,500 after posting over 52 fantasy points in three straight games before posting only 37.25 fantasy points with a double-double on Monday against Miami. Dyson Daniels ($6,700) has also been outstanding lately, with over 36 DraftKings points in four straight and nine of his last 10 games. In his 10 games this month, he is averaging over 40 fantasy points per contest. His non-scoring numbers are elite and he has picked up more offensive work since Jalen Johnson (shoulder) was lost for the season and De’Andre Hunter was traded.
Value Options: The absence of Johnson and Hunter has also opened huge playing time for Zaccharie Risacher ($4,500), who has been boom-or-bust but flashed a high ceiling. Caris LeVert ($5,200) and Georges Niang ($4,300) have also been great fits in Atlanta and can be low-cost options with high ceilings.
Los Angeles Clippers at Chicago Bulls
The Clippers get a good matchup against the Bulls, who have allowed the fourth-most points per game in the NBA over their last 10 contests, going 3-7 while allowing 122.0 points per game. Chicago will be especially thin at center with Jalen Smith (concussion) out and Nikola Vucevic ($7,500; calf) doubtful. The Clippers are set to get Kawhi Leonard ($7,200) back from injury but Norman Powell (knee) remains out.
Core Plays: Without Kawhi and Powell, James Harden ($9,800) went off for 31 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and 68.25 fantasy points on Sunday in Indiana. He had 42 fantasy points on the second night of the back-to-back, making just 5-of-22 field-goal attempts. After a day off, though, he should be ready to carry the load again and having Kawhi back will also provide a huge boost. Ivica Zubac ($7,400) is also in a great spot in a matchup most likely against Zach Collins ($4,400). Zubac had 50.75, 32.5 and 47.25 fantasy points in his three games since the All-Star break, with two double-doubles along with a total of seven blocked shots.
Value Options: With Powell out, Amir Coffey ($3,900) has been getting more work and has over 19 fantasy points in each of the last two games. Bogdan Bogdanovic ($5,300) has been very involved since arriving from the Hawks while Ben Simmons ($5,400) has gotten decent minutes as well. Neither of those veterans are “bargains” but they do offer good value upside at their salary.
Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings
I know we could look at the Nets again in this “value stack” spot, but I’m a little overloaded on them lately and would rather try to catch some heat with the Jazz as they host the Kings. Utah already ruled out Lauri Markkanen (back), John Collins (back) and Collin Sexton (ankle) and also listed Walker Kessler ($7,000; illness) as questionable.
Core Plays: Keyonte George ($6,900) has gotten huge usage the last few games with Jordan Clarkson ($6,400) out while Isaiah Collier ($6,400) has also been productive. Both could be squeezed a little by Clarkson’s return but all three have upside at home against the Kings.
Value Options: The real value from the Jazz, though, is in the frontcourt. If Kessler is out, Kyle Filipowski ($5,700) will get another spot start and be an awesome play. He had 20 points, a double-double and 49.75 fantasy points against the Blazers on Monday in Kessler’s spot. He also had a 20-point double-double in the last game Kessler missed, so he’s almost a must-play if Kessler can’t give it a go. Without Markkanen, Brice Sensabaugh ($4,500) and KJ Martin ($4,000) have both been good value plays and bring good upside against the Kings.
