Following the NBA Cup final won by the Knicks on Tuesday, the NBA season continues Wednesday with a two-game 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 $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls, $9,800
While Mitchell disappointed with Evan Mobley (calf) inactive this past Sunday vs. the Hornets, finishing with just 35.5 FPTS, we have to go right back to the well tonight. Mobley remains sidelined and with the big man off the court this season, Mitchell’s usage increases 6.8 percentage points to 40.4% and he generates a team-high 1.5 FPTS per minute.
The Bulls are an elite matchup, ranking second in pace and 24th in defensive rating, and the Cavaliers carry the highest implied team total on the slate at 123.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Mitchell is a strong investment for over 50 FPTS in this spot and he is the No.1 option for this two-game slate.
Other Options: Josh Giddey ($9,200)
Value
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls, $6,800
Garland also benefits greatly with Mobley out and rostering Mitchell and Garland together in this great matchup vs. the Bulls is smart for this short slate.
Garland scored a season-best 45.5 FPTS across 39 minutes with Mobley inactive Sunday vs. the Hornets and with the forward off the floor this season, Garland’s usage skyrockets a team-high 10.7 percentage points to 36.2% and he scores 1.1 FPTS per minute.
Other Options: Cedric Coward ($6,100), Lonzo Ball ($4,600)
Forward
Stud
Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies, $9,000
Randle is a solid option no matter what, that would become a necessity if Anthony Edwards (questionable, foot) remains out. The Timberwolves are hosting the Grizzlies who will be without Zach Edey (out, ankle), which makes this an awesome matchup. Edey has been one of the most impactful defenders in the NBA this season, as with him off the floor, Memphis’ defensive rating is a huge 23.8 points worse at 118.3.
Randle should thrive in this spot and his upside will increase if Edwards sits. This season, Randle is scoring 43.3 FPTS per game with a 27.3% usage rate and with Edwards inactive, those numbers increase to 46.5 FPTS per game and a 28.9% usage rate for Randle.
Value
Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves, $5,200
Wells starts at small forward for the Grizzlies and the team has been relying on him heavily recently. In Memphis’ last 10 games, Wells is providing 27 FPTS in 29.7 minutes per game, which ranks second only to Jackson Jr. during this time.
Wells is scoring 0.8 FPTS per minute with an 18% usage rate while shooting 45% from the field this season. The Timberwolves aren’t a great matchup, ranking 10th in defensive rating, but Wells is the best forward value this short slate has to offer.
Other Options: Santi Aldama ($6,400), Jaylon Tyson ($6,200)
Center
Stud
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves, $7,700
Jackson Jr. is the only center who is priced above $7,000 tonight and he is the highest projected player at the position, but spending up at center isn’t a wise move for this short slate and Jackson Jr. will only warrant GPP consideration if Morant sits.
With Morant and Edey off the floor this season, Jackson Jr.’s usage rises 5.1 percentage points to 30% and he produces 1.13 FPTS per minute.
Value
Dean Wade, Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls, $4,100
With Mobley out this past Sunday vs. the Hornets, Wade moved into the Cavaliers’ starting lineup and had one of his best games of the season, posting 30.5 FPTS in a season-high 31.3 minutes.
Cleveland did lose this game, so it’s no guarantee Wade will continue to start, but if he does, the veteran will be a viable punt play in this prime spot vs. the Bulls. This season, Wade is generating 0.7 FPTS per minute and he is averaging 18.3 FPTS per game when he has cracked the 20-minute mark (18 games).
Other Options: Jarrett Allen ($6,000), Patrick Williams ($3,500)
