Wednesday’s main slate on DraftKings includes 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 NBA DFS options at each position.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Jalen Green, Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz, $7,700
As the Rockets look to hang onto the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, Green has been terrific, scoring 42.1 FPTS per game in his last five. Included in this run is a 41 FPTS outing vs. the Jazz, who Green will face again Wednesday for the third time this season. The shooting guard is averaging 44.4 FPTS per game against Utah this season and this tanking Jazz team has been an elite matchup since the All-Star break, ranking second in pace and 27th in defensive rating.
Green is scoring 1.1 FPTS per minute with a team-high 27.7% usage rate this season, and he should score nothing less than 40 FPTS in this beautiful spot.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,000), Tyrese Haliburton ($8,700), Derrick White ($7,900, if Jaylen Brown is out)
Value
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets, $6,500
Opposite of Green, George is a great mid-tier target Wednesday. The Jazz will be without Lauri Markkanen (knee), John Collins (ankle) and Jordan Clarkson (foot), and with these three high usage players inactive this season, George is amassing 34.3 FPTS per game with a 28.3% usage rate (15 games).
While the Rockets rank fourth in defensive rating, George has been excellent against the club this season, averaging 41.6 FPTS per game in two meetings with Houston. Collin Sexton (pelvic) and Walker Kessler (conditioning) are also questionable for the Jazz and if either of these players sit, George’s fantasy stock will become even stronger.
Other Options: Stephon Castle ($6,900), Jrue Holiday ($6,300, if Brown is out), Dennis Schroder ($6,000), AJ Johnson ($5,000), Jaden Springer ($3,500)
Forward
Stud
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, $8,300
Mobley is on the heels of an impressive 42.75 FPTS outing vs. the Clippers and their No. 3 ranked defense Sunday. The big man is now amassing 41.6 FPTS per game in his last six starts and coming to town Wednesday is a Knicks’ team that Mobley exposed for 44.5 FPTS when these clubs last faced in late February.
New York will be playing their second game in two nights and Cleveland continues to be motivated to win, as the Celtics are only four games back of them for the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Mobley is a safe bet for over 40 FPTS and is a compelling option for all formats.
Other Options: Jayson Tatum ($10,500, if Brown is out), Miles Bridges ($8,800)
Value
Tim Hardaway Jr., Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Thunder, $4,300
Hardaway Jr. is way underpriced for how shorthanded the Pistons are going to be Wednesday, and he should exceed five-times value despite facing the Thunder, who are the NBA’s top rated defense this season. Cade Cunningham (calf) is doubtful and Jaden Ivey (leg) remains sidelined. In the four games Hardaway Jr. has played with Cunningham and Ivey inactive this season, Hardaway Jr. has been excellent with 28 FPTS in 30 minutes per game with a 19% usage rate.
In addition to Cunningham and Ivey, Detroit will be without Ron Holland and Marcus Sasser due to suspensions, which should open up a few extra minutes of playing time for Hardaway Jr. The veteran has the potential to approach 35 minutes in this situation and has a ceiling over 30 FPTS.
Other Options: Malik Beasley ($5,900), Keldon Johnson ($5,200), Brice Sensabaugh ($4,900), Kyle Anderson ($3,600)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs, $12,500
Jokic has been a monster vs. the Spurs this season, scoring 82.6 FPTS per game across two matchups. San Antonio ranks second-to-last in defensive rating since the All-Star break and it will be playing its second game in two nights on Wednesday. The Nuggets also will be on the second leg of a back-to-back set, but this isn’t a cause for concern for Jokic. The last five times he has played his second game in two nights, Jokic has been brilliant with 75.1 FPTS per game.
The superstar is scoring a league-high 1.9 FPTS per minute this season, and Jokic is worth paying up for Wednesday, as every game is important for Denver right now as it chases the Rockets for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
Other Options: Domantas Sabonis ($9,500), Kyle Filipowski ($7,000)
Value
Luke Kornet, Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat, $5,000
Kornet (illness) has been removed from the Celtics’ injury report after missing one game, but Al Horford (toe) is doubtful and Kristaps Porzingis (reconditioning) is questionable for Boston’s front-court. While Porizingis feels likely to play given this game isn’t part of a back-to-back set, Horford’s absence alone makes Kornet a great target.
Kornet went off for a season-high 44.5 FPTS vs. the Spurs with Horford inactive this past Saturday, and Kornet is providing 31.9 FPTS per game in the four contests Horford has missed since the All-Star break. Now, if Porzingis does end up sidelined as well, Kornet will likely see over 30 minutes of work and be a tough fade at his affordable salary.
Other Options: Obi Toppin ($4,500), Thomas Bryant ($4,200, if Myles Turner is out), Sandro Mamukelashvili ($3,500)
