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The NBA is offering up a huge slate of basketball on Wednesday. There are 11 games to choose from starting at 7:00 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.
Also, staying on top of the news is going to be vital on such a large slate, especially with the trade deadline looming on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Live app. You also can follow DK Live on Twitter @dklive.
Point Guard
Stud
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves ($11,000) – Doncic has played some of his best basketball of the season recently. He’s racked up at least 64.75 DKFP in three of his past four games, and the lone exception was a blowout win where he was limited to just 29.6 minutes. He still finished with 53.25 DKFP in that contest, resulting in an average of approximately 1.80 DKFP per minute.
Doncic has the potential for another huge performance Wednesday vs. the Timberwolves. They’ve struggled defensively this season, ranking just 26th in defensive efficiency, and the Mavericks’ implied team total of 120.0 is tied for the top mark on the slate.
Other Options – James Harden ($10,900), Trae Young ($8,700)
Value
Malik Monk, Charlotte Hornets at Houston Rockets ($4,300) – The Hornets lost LaMelo Ball to a fractured wrist, which means that the Rookie of the Year frontrunner will likely miss the remainder of the season. That’s a big blow for basketball fans, but it does open up some additional opportunities for the rest of the Hornets’ roster.
Monk is one of the players who should benefit most. He’s increased his usage rate by a team-high 3.0% with Ball off the court this season, and he should also see a few additional minutes. He’s coming off 26.8 minutes in his last game, and Monk has averaged 0.98 DKFP per minute over the past month. He finished with 18.75 DKFP despite shooting just 5-for-15 from the field on Monday, so he has the potential for better performances moving forward.
Other Options – Devonte’ Graham ($5,300), Bruce Brown ($4,700)
Shooting Guard
Stud
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets at Houston Rockets ($7,100) – Rozier is another member of the Hornets who should take on a bigger workload with Ball out of the lineup. He racked up 44.25 DKFP over 38.6 minutes in his last outing, and he’s increased his usage rate by 1.2% with Ball off the court. There’s a chance that he registers the most minutes out of all of Wednesday’s players, which makes him an appealing target at $7.1K.
Other Options – Paul George ($8,200), Evan Fournier ($6,800)
Value
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks at Sacramento Kings ($4,000) – The Hawks are in one of the best spots of the day. They’re taking on the Kings, who have been the worst defensive team in basketball this season, and they also have the potential to be a bit thinner than usual. Danilo Gallinari ($6,300; knee) is currently listed as questionable, while De’Andre Hunter ($5,200) will be limited again in just his second game back from a long-term injury.
That means Bogdanovic could be looking at a slightly larger workload than usual. He’s averaged 0.86 DKFP per minute this season, so he doesn’t need a ton of playing time to pay off his current salary. Bogdanovic is also taking on his former team, so it’s possible he gives this game his full attention.
Other Options – Tyrese Haliburton ($5,700), Grayson Allen ($4,000)
Small Forward
Stud
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs ($9,000) – Serge Ibaka (back) will miss his fifth consecutive game on Wednesday, which means Leonard should be looking at another expanded workload. Leonard has played as many as 40.4 minutes with Ibaka out of the lineup recently, although that number has been a bit lower over his past two games. Regardless, $9K is simply too cheap of a price tag for Leonard. He’s been priced at $9K or lower just seven previous times this season, and he’s averaged approximately 45.5 DKFP in those contests.
Other Options – Jayson Tatum ($8,600), Gordon Hayward ($7,900)
Value
Al-Farouq Aminu, Orlando Magic vs. Phoenix Suns ($3,700) – Aminu has had a quiet season, but he exploded for 44.5 DKFP last night vs. the Nuggets. I wouldn’t expect a repeat performance, but he should be able to pay off his very reasonable salary. His playing time has been on the rise, and he’s set a new season-high in minutes in each of his past two games. Aminu has averaged 0.81 DKFP per minute this season, so 25-plus minutes should be more than enough to return value.
Other Options – Dorian Finney-Smith ($4,100), Justise Winslow ($3,600)
Power Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics ($10,800) – Antetokounmpo is currently listed as questionable, and his status is going to have a massive impact on Wednesday’s slate. If he’s unable to suit up, guys like Khris Middleton ($8,000), Jrue Holiday ($7,200), Bobby Portis ($5,300), Donte DiVincenzo ($6,400) and Pat Connaughton ($5,100) will also become viable options vs. the Celtics.
If Antetokounmpo can go, he obviously deserves some consideration. He’s been one of the best players in fantasy this season, and he’s played particularly well of late. He’s scored at least 57.25 DKFP in 15 of his past 17 games. That means he owns one of the safest floors in fantasy, and he also possesses one of the highest ceilings. He’s averaged 1.72 DKFP per minute this season, which is the top mark on today’s slate.
Other Options – Domantas Sabonis ($9,400), Kristaps Porzingis ($8,000)
Value
Kyle Anderson, Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder ($5,100) – Anderson is an inspiration to slow people everywhere. He is not the typical NBA-level athlete, but that doesn’t stop him from being extremely productive when on the court. He’s averaged 1.06 DKFP per minute this season, which is an excellent mark considering his price tag. Anderson’s playing time has also been on the rise recently, playing at least 29.7 minutes in three of his past four games.
Other Options – Marcus Morris ($5,000), Paul Millsap ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic vs. Phoenix Suns ($9,600) – Vucevic is coming off a poor performance yesterday, finishing with just 32.25 DKFP vs. the Nuggets. That said, that was his worst outing in nearly two months, so I think we can give him a pass. He’s been one of the most reliable producers in fantasy this season, averaging 1.44 DKFP per minute.
There’s also a chance that the Magic could be shorthanded on the second leg of a back-to-back. Aaron Gordon ($7,000) and Evan Fournier ($6,800) are both trade candidates, so Orlando might not want to risk them before Thursday’s deadline.
Value
Nicolas Claxton, Brooklyn Nets at Utah Jazz ($4,000) – Claxton has taken on a larger role for the Nets recently, and he’s responded with at least 26.5 DKFP in three of his past four games. The Nets will need his size Wednesday vs. the Jazz, so expect him to see another healthy allotment of minutes.
Other Options – Mason Plumlee ($5,900), Ivica Zubac ($5,500)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
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