DraftKings’ main NBA DFS slate for Wednesday starts at 7:00 PM EST and features 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 for Wednesday’s NBA action.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors, $9,900
After some inconsistent play, Giddey has been on a tear. The guard has notched a triple-double in four of his last five and he has scored over 60 FPTS in four straight. Collin Sexton (questionable, head) could return from a four-game absence tonight, but even if he does, the Bulls are still understaffed and Giddey will have a high ceiling worth chasing in GPPs, despite facing a Raptors defense that ranks seventh in rating this season.
Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu were all traded at the deadline, and new pieces Anfernee Simons (wrist) and Jaden Ivey (knee) remain out. With these five players off the floor this season, Giddey is leading Chicago with 1.5 FPTS per minute.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,100), Brandon Ingram ($8,300), Darius Garland ($7,900, if active and Kawhi Leonard is out)
Value
Bones Hyland, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz, $4,200
With Anthony Edwards (knee) out last night vs. the Suns, Hyland took full advantage of an expanded role off the bench. In 28.5 minutes, the guard finished with 28.5 FPTS. Hyland ranked second for the Timberwolves in usage rate at 26.5% and he shot 8-of-14 from the field.
Edwards will be out for 1-2 weeks and Hyland gets an elite matchup tonight vs. the Jazz, who rank second-to-last in defensive rating this season. Despite Edwards’ absence, Minnesota carries the third-highest implied team total on the slate at 122.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Hyland should destroy his cheap salary and is a core play tonight.
Other Options: Ajay MItchell ($5,000), Walter Clayton Jr. ($4,900), Ryan Nembhard ($3,600)
Forward
Stud
Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz, $8,100
Randle’s $8,100 price is way too low with Edwards missing. Randle posted 47.75 FPTS vs. the Suns with Edwards inactive last night. This marked the 11th start Randle has made without Edwards this season and Randle is leading the Timberwolves with 45.7 FPTS per game and a 32% usage rate on those occasions.
With the tanking Jazz in town tonight, Randle should feast and possibly top 50 FPTS.
Other Options: Jalen Johnson ($10,700), Kawhi Leonard ($9,700, if active), Matas Buzelis ($7,500)
Value
Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz, $5,000
Stacking the Edwards-less Timberwolves is the right move tonight, as many of these players are very underpriced for this situation, with Dosunmu being one of the best values of the group. The ex-Bull started in place of Edwards last night and posted 27.75 FPTS across 33.5 minutes vs. the Suns. That is the most playing time Dosunmu has seen since being traded to Minnesota at the deadline and he also handled a 24% usage rate, which ranked third for the team.
Dosunmu is scoring 0.9 FPTS per minute with Edwards off the floor this season and he should cruise past five-times value vs. the Jazz.
Other Options: Brice Sensabaugh ($6,600), Cody Williams ($5,700), Cam Spencer ($5,000)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Memphis Grizzlies, $12,500
Jokic could go nuts in this perfect matchup. Since the All-Star break, the Grizzlies rank 27th in defensive rating, first in points in the paint allowed and second in rebounds allowed. Jokic has erupted for at least 75 FPTS in three of his last five and he has a great chance to lead this slate in FPTS by a comfortable margin.
The Nuggets present a huge 129.5-point implied team total on DraftKings Sportsbook, which is the highest on the slate by six points. Jokic is scoring a league-high 1.9 FPTS per minute this season and there is enough viable value plays available tonight that affording Jokic isn’t difficult.
Other Options: Rudy Gobert ($7,100)
Value
Isaiah Jackson, Los Angeles Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans, $4,100
Jackson was traded to the Clippers at the deadline in the Ivica Zubac deal and operating as Los Angeles’ backup center, Jackson has had some solid performances over the last few weeks. In his last eight, Jackson has scored at least 24 FPTS five times. The veteran posted 29.5 FPTS vs. the Kings this past Saturday and Jackson gets another strong matchup vs. the Pelicans tonight.
New Orleans ranks 24th in defensive rating and it is allowing the seventh-most points in the paint this season. Jackson is amassing 1.1 FPTS per minute while shooting 60.7% from the field this season, and the big man should come with very low ownership, given he is a bench player.
Other Options: Naz Reid ($5,600), Robert Williams ($4,300, if active), Obi Toppin ($3,700)
