Wednesday presents a seven-game NBA DFS 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 $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, $7,200
Quickley has been playing very well recently, averaging 38.6 FPTS per game in the new year, including six outings over 40 FPTS. Over this time, the guard is shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.8% on three-pointers. Quickley is facing a Timberwolves’ defense that ranks seventh in rating this season, but this game should be a fantasy friendly environment, with Minnesota only favored by 2.5 points and this game’s 227.5-point total on DraftKings Sportsbook being the second-highest on the slate.
Quickley has a great chance to exceed five-times value in this matchup and he likely won’t come with much ownership.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,700), Ryan Rollins ($8,800, if Kevin Porter Jr. is out)
Value
Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies at Sacramento Kings, $5,500
Jerome finally made his Grizzlies’ debut two games ago after hurting his calf back in preseason and the veteran has been excellent as Memphis’ starting point guard with Ja Morant (elbow) out. Despite being limited to just around 20 minutes in each game, Jerome has scored 32.25 and 40 FPTS in his first two games, both of which came vs. the Timberwolves’ stout defense.
In these tilts, Jerome handled a huge 31.6% usage rate and he shot 54% from the field. Jerome is likely to remain limited to around 20 minutes tonight, but the ultra efficient guard should continue to see a huge usage rate and put up strong numbers. Not only will Morant remain out tonight, but the Grizzlies just traded away Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. to the Jazz yesterday, so the club is going to be extremely understaffed tonight. Plus, this Kings’ defense Jerome is facing ranks 28th in rating this season and in this optimal situation, he is a must-play at only $5,500.
Other Options: Cedric Coward ($5,200), Dylan Harper ($4,200), Javon Small ($3,200)
Forward
Stud
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, $9,300
After the Clippers and Cavaliers swapped James Harden and Darius Garland in a trade on Tuesday, the two teams will ironically meet Wednesday. Garland won’t be available to make his Clippers debut and with Harden out of the picture, Leonard should thrive vs. this Cleveland team that ranks seventh in pace.
In the four starts Leonard has made without Harden this season, Leonard is amassing 46 FPTS per game. Furthermore, with Harden off the floor, Leonard’s usage rises 4.2 percentage points to a huge 37.5% and he scores 1.6 FPTS per minute.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($9,900)
Value
GG Jackson, Memphis Grizzlies at Sacramento Kings, $5,500
With the Grizzlies likely down to eight or nine players tonight, Jackson should command a large workload and is a no-brainer at this affordable price. In Memphis’ second-to-last game, both Morant and Jackson Jr. were inactive and Jackson posted 33 FPTS across 27 minutes vs. the Timberwolves. Now, also remove Landale, Konchar and Williams Jr. from the equation after yesterday’s trade, and Jackson should see over 30 minutes and a large usage rate in this great matchup vs. the Kings.
In the 62 minutes Jackson has played with Morant, Jackson Jr., Landlae, Konchar and Williams Jr. off the floor this season, Jackson is generating 1.0 FPTS per minute with a 24.2% usage rate.
Other Options: Kyle Kuzma ($6,700), Kobe Sanders ($4,300), Olivier-Maxence Prosper ($3,600)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, $10,000
Wembanyama has been held to less than 40 FPTS in two of his four matchups with the Thunder this season, but Oklahoma City is playing it’s second game in two nights and Wembanyama has been dominant lately, with at least 55 FPTS in five of his last eight. Seeing over 30 minutes in four of his last six, Wembanyama is no longer is under a minutes restriction and he should see over that threshold tonight with the Thunder only being a 1.5-point favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Wembanyama is scoring 1.7 FPTS per minute with a 33.5% usage rate this season and in spreads under five points, he is supplying 51.1 FPTS per game (11 games).
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,300)
Value
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $3,700
The Bucks have yet to release their injury report, but if Bobby Portis (hip) misses his second in a row, which feels likely, Nance will be a great punt play. With Portis and Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf, out) inactive last night vs. the Bulls, Nance finished with 29.5 FPTS in 27 minutes off the bench.
Nance will be in line for 25-30 minutes if Portis is out again and this is an outstanding matchup, as the Pelicans rank 28th in defensive rating this season. Nance is producing 0.9 FPTS per minute while shooting 58% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc this season, and he is averaging 24.5 FPTS per game for the three occasions he has cracked the 20-minute mark.
Other Options: Naz Reid ($6,500, if Julius Randle is out), Myles Turner ($6,200), Luka Garza ($4,100)
