Wednesday’s NBA slate isn’t as large as expected following two postponements, but there should still be enough basketball to satisfy even the thirstiest NBA DFS fans. There’s an eight-game DraftKings slate starting at 7 p.m. ET, so let’s break down some of the top studs and values at each position to help you build your DraftKings lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $600K Fadeaway [$150K to 1st]
Point Guard
Stud
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks @ Charlotte Hornets ($10,800) – Doncic got off to a slow start this season, but he has turned it on recently. He’s finished with at least 57.75 DKFP in four straight games, and he’s on pace to post new career highs in usage rate, assist rate, and rebound rate. That’s a scary thought considering he averaged more than 55 DKFP per game as a 21-year-old last season.
He should be asked to carry an even larger workload that usual on today’s slate. The Mavericks will be missing some key rotation players due to health and safety protocols, including Josh Richardson, Jalen Brunson, and Dorian Finney-Smith. Doncic has increased his usage rate to 40.6% with Richardson and Brunson off the court this season, which gives him massive upside vs. the Hornets.
Other Options – Damian Lillard ($9,500), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($7,700)
Value
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Clippers ($3,100) – The Pelicans have the potential to be thin in the backcourt vs. the Clippers. Lonzo Ball has already been ruled out, while Eric Bledsoe has been downgraded to questionable with an eye injury.
If both players are unable to suit up, Alexander-Walker becomes a very intriguing value play at such a minimal salary. He has historically been very active when on the court, and he’s averaged 0.99 DKFP per minute in limited playing time this season. He has the potential to smash his current price tag if he sees 20+ minutes on today’s slate.
Other Options – Jrue Holiday ($6,900), De’Anthony Melton ($4,000)
Shooting Guard
Stud
CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings ($8,600) – Shooting guard doesn’t stand out as a great position to pay up for tonight, but it’s hard to ignore what McCollum has done this season. He’s scored at least 39.5 DKFP in eight of his past nine games, which makes him one of the most reliable producers in fantasy. The Blazers also stand out as one of the top teams to target given their slate-high implied team total of 120.25 points.
Other Options – Devin Booker ($8,300), Dennis Schroder ($6,100)
Value
Bruce Brown, Brooklyn Nets @ New York Knicks ($3,300) – Brown was a surprise addition to the starting lineup for the Nets on Tuesday. Head coach Steve Nash wanted Caris LeVert to come off the bench, and Brown got the nod in his stead. He finished with a season-high 25.9 minutes and responded with 33.0 DKFP vs. the Nuggets.
We probably shouldn’t expect another 33.0 DKFP tonight vs. the Knicks, but Brown has historically averaged 24.6 DKFP per game when he plays at least 25 minutes. That makes him an appealing option at his current price tag.
Other Options – Kevin Huerter ($5,200), JJ Redick ($3,300)
Small Forward
Stud
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers @ Oklahoma City Thunder ($9,600) – James is arguably still the best player in the league despite the fact that he’s in his 18th season. His workload has been slightly reduced this year – his average of 32.3 minutes per game would be the lowest mark of his career – but he’s been as effective as ever on a per-minute basis. He’s averaged 1.48 DKFP per minute, which is the third-highest mark among today’s players.
Now that his price has come down to $9,600, we can finally start considering him again on DraftKings. As good as he is, it was extremely difficult for LeBron to pay off his elevated salary earlier this season given the dip in playing time.
Other Options – Brandon Ingram ($8,500), Gordon Hayward ($7,800)
Value
Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns vs. Atlanta Hawks ($4,100)
Editor’s note: Tonight’s game between the Hawks and Suns has been postponed.
Johnson is coming off a disappointing performance in his last outing, which makes this an excellent buy-low opportunity. His playing time was cut short because the game turned into a blowout, but he should return to his normal workload today vs. the Hawks. Johnson has averaged 0.94 DKFP per minute over the past month, and he played at least 27.4 minutes in two straight games prior to Monday’s blowout.
Other Options – Derrick Jones Jr. ($3,700), Wes Iwundu ($3,200)
Power Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets @ New York Knicks ($9,400) – Durant has not been limited in any capacity since returning to the Nets’ lineup two games ago. He’s played at least 35.9 minutes in both contests, and he’s responded with 58.25 and 64.75 DKFP. He’s also posted a usage rate of at least 35.8% in both contests, which are his two highest marks of the year.
This game is the second leg of a back-to-back for the Nets, but Durant has already said that he plans to play. As long as he’s active, he should continue to thrive with Kyrie Irving out of the lineup. He’s increased his usage rate by 5.6 percentage points with Irving off the court this season, resulting in an average of 1.55 DKFP per minute.
Other Options – Anthony Davis ($9,000), Zion Williamson ($7,300)
Value
James Johnson, Dallas Mavericks @ Charlotte Hornets ($3,900) – Kristaps Porzingis ($8,400) is expected to make his season debut for the Mavericks, but he will likely be limited in his first game back. Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell also remain out of the lineup due to health and safety protocols, so that should leave Johnson with a solid handful of minutes. He’s historically been an excellent fantasy producer given his ability to contribute in every category across the board, and he’s averaged 0.93 DKFP per minute this season. The Hornets have also struggled against opposing big men this season, so this is a fantastic spot for Johnson.
Other Options – Brandon Clarke ($5,800), Dario Saric ($3,800)
Center
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies ($9,800) – Towns is currently listed as questionable, but he’s an interesting option if he’s able to suit up. He played 37 minutes Saturday vs. the Spurs before getting the night off Sunday on the second leg of a back-to-back. Towns has averaged 1.43 DKFP per minute this season, so he’s underpriced if he’s going to see that much playing time again today. He should also garner minimal ownership on this slate, which makes him very intriguing for guaranteed prize pools (GPPs).
Other Options – Deandre Ayton ($7,000), Jonas Valanciunas ($6,900)
Value
Enes Kanter, Portland Trail Blazers @ Sacramento Kings ($4,800) – Jusuf Nurkic is questionable for tonight’s matchup vs. the Kings, and Kanter would become one of the best values on the slate if he’s unable to suit up. Kanter started the second half in place of Nurkic in their last game, and he’s ultimately averaged 1.27 DKFP per minute this season. He has the ability to gobble up points and rebounds in the paint, and no team has allowed more points in the paint per game than the Kings.
Other Options – Richaun Holmes ($6,400), Brook Lopez ($5,000)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $600K Fadeaway [$150K to 1st]
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