:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68797909/usa_today_15520892.0.jpg)
For Wednesday night, barring any postponements, we should receive a nine-game NBA slate to attack, and if you haven’t by now, you need to check out DraftKings’ new Snake Draft format! Below, we break down some of the best targets for tonight’s DraftKings NBA Snake slate.
Visit the DraftKings NBA lobby to view all the available NBA Snake contests!
Big Trey Payday
Clutch buckets mean free paydays this hoops season! Check out the DraftKings Big Trey Payday page for more details on upcoming free paydays!
Favorable Early Round Targets
James Harden, G, Brooklyn Nets
NBA Snake Rank: 4
With Kevin Durant (health protocols) inactive last night, Harden recorded 62 DKFP across 39 minutes vs. the Pistons. This marked the fourth time the former Rocket has played without Durant since being acquired by Brooklyn, and he is generating 55.1 DKFP per game on those occasions. Due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols, Durant has already been ruled out for Wednesday’s matchup with the Pacers and there is a chance Kyrie Irving also sits considering this is the second night of a back-to-back set.
Nonetheless, with just Durant out of the lineup, Harden will see large rates and approach 40 minutes against the Pacers, who rank 22nd in defensive rating and have allowed the 8th most DKFP per game to opposing shooting guards over their last ten. The 31-year-old is a threat for over 60 DKFP again tonight and an excellent first-round pick in snake drafts for Wednesday.
Kawhi Leonard, F/C, Los Angeles Clippers
NBA Snake Rank: 10
Leonard let us down Sunday, posting only 36 DKFP against the Kings, but this a perfect bounce-back spot for him vs. the Wolves. Minnesota has been terrible defensively, ranking 25th in efficiency, and the Wolves have given up the 3rd most DKFP per game to opposing power forwards this season. Karl-Anthony Towns (doubtful, COVID-19) is expected to remain out for them and Paul George (foot) has already been confirmed out for Los Angeles.
In the three contests he has played without George this year, Leonard has amassed 45.1 DKFP per game with a team-high 31.2% usage rate. Overall, in all the time that he has logged without George since joining the Clippers, Leonard has produced 1.47 DKFP per minute and getting him at his pre-draft rank or any later on Wednesday would be absolute robbery.
Early Round Player to Avoid
Kristaps Porzingis, F/C, Dallas Mavericks
NBA Snake Rank: 18
Porzingis went off Monday night for a season-high 63.75 DKFP vs. the Wolves, but we shouldn’t be chasing this score tonight when he faces the Hawks. This matchup is a huge downgrade for him, with the Hawks surrendering the 6th least DKFP per game to opposing power forwards, compared to the Wolves who have yielded the 3rd most in 2020-21.
Plus, before his eruption Monday, Porzingis was only supplying 34.8 DKFP per game across his previous eight. Now, if you can get the forward outside the top-25, by all means feel free to attack, but using a top-20 pick on Porzingis tonight just doesn’t seem necessary given the amount of great options in this range of drafts.
Late Round Fliers
Thaddeus Young, F/C, Chicago Bulls
NBA Snake Rank: 47
Young doesn’t get the credit he deserves for how consistent he has been. Over his last seven, the veteran is averaging 36.5 DKFP per game, which is a run that includes six showings of over 30 DFKP. Lauri Markkanen (shoulder), Wendell Carter Jr. (quad) and Otto Porter Jr. (back) will all remain sidelined for Wednesday night, so we can safely expect nearly 30 minutes of work for Young vs. the Pelicans.
He has supplied 1.16 DKFP per minute for the month of February and the New Orleans’ defense rates as the 7th worst group in the league across their last ten games. Young is a pretty safe bet for over 30 DKFP in this friendly spot and I definitely think we can get him later than his pre-draft ranking tonight.
Chris Boucher, F/C, Toronto Raptors
NBA Snake Rank: 63
After seeing less than 20 minutes in four straight outings, Boucher has reemerged as the Raptors’ top center, logging 29.5 minutes per game over their past three. As an elite fantasy producer (1.3 DKFP per minute this season), the 28-year-old has unsurprisingly put up great numbers during this stretch, scoring 38.4 DKFP per game. He has tallied a double-double in back-to-back tilts and now meets a Washington defense that is the 3rd worst group in the NBA this year, based on efficiency.
The Raptors have won two of these last three with Boucher seeing a larger role and the center should continue to receive 25-30 minutes off the bench in this juicy matchup. Expect a minimum of 30 DKFP from him and make Boucher one of your mid-round priorities for snake drafts tonight.
Lou Williams, G, Los Angeles Clippers
NBA Snake Rank: 86
As a whole, Williams has had a lackluster season in 2020-21, but he has found some life in his game with George absent in these past two, providing 35.6 DKFP per game. His usage rate has been north of 30% in both contests and Williams is now collecting 28.25 DKFP in five full games sans George this year.
Even if Patrick Beverly (questionable, knee) returns for the Clippers, Williams’ pure scoring is needed for this offense and his usage should be right around 30% again against this Minnesota defense that is allowing the 6th most DKFP per game to opposing shooting guards. This will be the second time he has matched up with the Wolves this year and in the first meeting, Williams was in a similar situation with George in, but Leonard out. The end result was 31.25 DKFP with a 32.3% usage rate for the three-time sixth man of the year, which would be a great return for a player this late in drafts.
Visit the DraftKings NBA lobby to view all the available NBA Snake contests!
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
For sports betting, head over to DraftKings Sportsbook or download the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Hunta512) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.