On tap for Wednesday is a nine-game NBA slate. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players and below, I break down some of my favorite NBA DFS options at each position for Wednesday’s NBA action.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $80K Fadeaway [$20K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers, $9,700
Mitchell has been on a roll with Darius Garland (toe) sidelined, scoring at least 55 FPTS in three straight games. Now, Evan Mobely (calf) is also out, opening up even more usage for Mitchell. With both Mobley and Garland off the floor this season, Mitchell’s usage rises 5.3 percentage points to 38.5% and he scores 1.6 FPTS per minute.
Hosting the Lakers tonight, who rank 25th in defensive rating, Mitchell should have a vintage performance and is one of the top studs to roster for this nine-game slate.
Other Options: Luka Doncic ($12,200), Stephen Curry ($9,700)
Value
De’Anthony Melton, Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz, $5,000
Melton is underpriced for the situation the Warriors are in tonight. Not only do they get to face a Jazz team that ranks dead last in defensive rating and is on the second leg of a back-to-back set, but both Jimmy Butler (knee) and Jonathan Kuminga (knee) are out. With these two off the floor this season, Melton’s usage increases a team-high 5.8 percentage points to 30.4% – which ranks second only to Stephen Curry – and Melton generates 1.3 FPTS per minute.
Melton should receive around 25 minutes tonight and he is a terrific, affordable way to attack the Warriors. Despite both Butler and Kuminga being sidelined, Golden State carries the highest implied team total on the slate at 124.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook, which is a testament to how strong of a matchup this is vs. Utah.
Other Options: Brandin Podziemski ($6,300), Brandon Williams ($4,900), Jake LaRavia ($4,600)
Forward
Stud
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic at Miami Heat, $9,400
The Magic have dropped four in a row and remain without Franz Wagner (ankle). Orlando desperately needs a win tonight and Banchero should do everything he can to get his team back on track. Banchero is on the heels of a 57 FPTS outing vs. the Cavaliers and with Wanger off the court this season, Banchero is amassing 1.24 FPTS per minute with a 29.5% usage rate.
The Heat ranks 10th in defensive rating, but they led the NBA in pace, compared to the Magic, who rank 17th. Banchero should see near 40 minutes with the Magic looking to snap their losing streak and he brings huge upside.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($9,900), LeBron James ($9,100), Julius Randle ($8,600)
Value
Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls, $5,200
With Jay Huff moving to the bench, Walker has started in back-to-back games for the Pacers and he has thrived, scoring 40 FPTS vs. the Thunder and 36.75 FPTS vs. the Hawks. During this stretch, Walker is handling a 22.4% usage rate, he is logging 30 minutes per game and he ranks third for Indiana in plus/minus.
Walker should continue to start again tonight and if that is the case, he will be an excellent value play in this prime spot vs. the Bulls, who rank fifth in pace and 24th in defensive rating this season.
Other Options: Sam Hauser ($5,400), Al Horford ($4,300)
Center
Stud
Jusuf Nurkic, Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors, $7,800
Nurkic should return tonight after missing last night’s game with an illness and the center must be considered at $7,800. Nurkic has been dominant, posting three straight triple-doubles and scoring at least 55 FPTS in each of these past three.
During this impressive run, Nurkic is averaging 32.3 minutes per game, he is handling a 22% usage rate, a 52.2% assist rate and a 46.4% rebound rate, all of which huge increases from his seasons averages. It very much seems like the Jazz are showcasing Nurkic ahead of the trade deadline in a few weeks, as he has played big minutes in back-to-back games despite Utah getting blown out in both. Nurkic should see over 30 minutes tonight regardless of how this game goes and another huge performance of at least 50 FPTS is very possible.
Other Options: Victor Wembanyama ($10,200), Pascal Siakam ($8,800), Nikola Vucevic ($7,700)
Value
Amari Williams, Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks, $3,700
With Luka Garza (illness) out Monday vs. the Trail Blazers, Williams saw the biggest workload of his rookie season and seized the moment. Williams logged 25.5 minutes off the bench, en route to 24.25 FPTS. Garza is questionable tonight, but Celtics’ starting center Neemias Queta (illness) is doubtful.
Williams is guaranteed over 20 minutes of work with Queta missing and he has the potential to approach 30 minutes if Garza was also inactive. Plus, this is a strong matchup vs. the Hawks, who rank second in pace this season. Williams is scoring 0.8 FPTS per minute while shooting 50% from the field this season and he is the top value on the slate at only $3,700.
Other Options: Jarrett Allen ($6,300), Naz Reid ($6,000), Luke Kornet ($4,000)
