DraftKings’ main slate for Wednesday features the first nine 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.
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Guard
Stud
LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors, $7,700
The Timberwolves received some unfortunate news yesterday that Anthony Edwards (knee) will be out for up to two months. The wing is leading the Timberwolves with a 37.6% usage rate this season and with Edwards missing, Ball should ball out tonight vs. the Warriors, pun intended.
Golden State has been a mess on defense, ranking 28th in defensive rating and with Edwards off the floor this season, Ball’s usage increases 5.1 percentage points to 31.8% and he scores 1.2 FPTS per minute. Ball should provide nothing less than 40 FPTS tonight and he is an awesome value at this sub-$8,000 price tag.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($9,900), Trae Young ($8,200)
Value
Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors, $3,700
Shannon Jr. is also a standout play from the Edwards-less Timberwolves. Despite Edwards being active for all these contests, Shannon Jr. has progressively been getting better in every game this season, scoring 13.25, 21.5, 26.5 and 29.5 FPTS.
While he is likely to still come off the bench, Shannon Jr. should see around 25 minutes tonight and a high usage rate. With Edwards off the court this season, Shannon Jr.’s usage rises a team-high 6.8 percentage points to 28%, resulting in 1.1 FPTS per minute. With a weak Warriors’ defense on the other side, Shannon Jr. should easily outproduce his $3,700 salary.
Other Options: Fred VanVleet ($5,500), Ayo Dosunmu ($5,200), Jordan Poole ($3,500)
Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks, $7,500
Durant has many things working in his favor tonight. The former MVP is in a beautiful matchup vs. the Bucks, who rank second in pace and 18th in defensive rating, and Alperen Sengun (back) will be out for the Rockets, opening more usage for Durant.
Durant is amassing 45.6 FPTS per game with Sengun inactive the last two seasons (nine games). Over this time, Durant’s usage rises 2.7 percentage points to 30% and he generates 1.3 FPTS per minute with Sengun off the floor. Durant is way too cheap for life without Sengun and one of the best values on the slate.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,200), Anthony Davis ($8,900), Scottie Barnes ($8,300)
Value
Peyton Watson, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards, $5,000
Watson is a starter for the Cavaliers this season and he has improved in each of his first three games with Cleveland, scoring 15.75, 24.75 and 39.5 FPTS. Watson has seen 30+ minutes in all these tilts, peaking with 37 minutes in Monday’s win over the Timberwolves.
Watson should see north of 30 minutes again tonight and this is a favorable matchup, as the Cavaliers and Wizards both rank top-13 in pace, and this game’s total is the third-highest on the slate at 239.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Watson is producing 0.8 FPTS per minute with a 19% usage rate this season and he brings 30 FPTS upside in this spot.
Other Options: Kyle Kuzma ($5,200), Jonathan Kuminga ($5,100), Tari Eason ($4,600)
Center
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls, $8,500
As Towns seeks a contract extension with the Knicks, the center is off to a great start this season, scoring 42+ FPTS in 3-of-4 games, most recently with a season-best 55 FPTS in last night’s win over the Pistons. Detroit ranks ninth in defensive rating, so this was an impressive outing.
Towns finds himself in a much better spot tonight vs. the Bulls, who rank first in pace and 28th in defensive rating. Playing your second game in two nights is never easy, but Towns is locked in right now and he should exceed five-times value with ease. Towns is scoring 1.5 FPTS per minute with a 27.7% usage rate and he is shooting 60% from the field this season.
Other Options: Joel Embiid ($8,400)
Value
Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks, $6,500
Smith Jr. has topped 40 FPTS in 2-of-4 games this season and he brings this type of upside tonight. The Rockets will be without Sengun, which should result in more usage and rebounding opportunities for Smith Jr. With Sengun off the floor this season, Smith Jr.’s usage increases 5.1 percentage points to 22% and he contributes 1.2 FPTS per minute.
Smith Jr. should see 35-40 minutes tonight with Sengun sidelined and over 40 FPTS is a possibility for Smith Jr in this great spot vs. the Bucks.
Other Options: Rudy Gobert ($5,600), Bobby Portis ($4,800), Jay Huff ($3,800), Oscar Tshiebwe ($3,000)
