Wednesday features a nine-game main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
It has been a disastrous start to the year for the Clippers. The decision to essentially turn Norman Powell into Bradley Beal and John Collins has backfired tremendously, while the team decided to straight up release Chris Paul. Kawhi Leonard has appeared in just 11 games, while the team has stumbled to a 5-16 record.
However, James Harden continues to provide his steady regular-season production. He’s averaging 26.9 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, good for an average of 1.46 DraftKings points per minute. He’s coming off a dismal performance on Monday, finishing with just 16.0 DraftKings points in less than 20 minutes, but before that, he had posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his previous six games.
Harden stands out as one of the better pay-up options at the position for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Hawks. It results in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +1.71, and Harden has the top optimal lineup rate at point guard among players priced above $6,400.
Value
Look out, Andrew, there’s a new Nembhard in town. Younger brother Ryan Nembhard has taken over as the Mavericks’ starting point guard of late, and he’s delivered some outstanding performances in that role. He was near-perfect in his last contest, finishing with 28 points on 12-14 shooting while adding 10 assists and zero turnovers. He ultimately racked up more than 50 DraftKings points, and he’s helped the Mavericks’ offense go from league-worst to viable in their past few games.
That should keep Nembhard in the starting lineup, and he’s currently projected for 31 minutes in our NBA Models. Nembhard has averaged 1.06 DraftKings points per minute for the year, which is an elite combination for someone with a $4,400 price tag. Even if he regresses a bit from a per-minute standpoint, he should still be able to pay off his current salary with that much playing time. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.59 (per the Trends tool).
Nembhard is expected to command the most ownership on this slate, but he’s still showing up as undervalued in Sim Labs: his optimal lineup rate exceeds his projected ownership by nearly 6%.
Fast Break
Egor Demin has shown some signs of progression for the Nets recently. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +5.90 over his past 10 games, including a monster 48.75 DraftKings points two games ago. He’s averaged 0.97 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s playing a bit more of late. Demin is projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models, and the Nets have more offensive potential than usual vs. a Bulls team that ranks second in pace.
Lonzo Ball has had a wide range of outcomes for most of the season, but there’s no denying his upside at $4,500. He’s capable of averaging well over a fantasy point per minute, and that’s particularly true on Wednesday. The Cavs are currently implied for a slate-best 124.75 points in their matchup vs. the Blazers. Ball has the second-best optimal lineup rate at the position, and he has eligibility in both backcourt spots.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Desmond Bane stands out as the best combination of value and upside at shooting guard. The Magic are still playing without Paolo Banchero, and Bane has seen a spike in value without him. Specifically, he’s coming off back-to-back huge performances: 54.5 DraftKings points vs. the Bulls and 55.0 DraftKings points vs. an elite Pistons’ defense.
Bane has shot the ball poorly for most of the year, but he’s finally starting to knock down some shots consistently. If that continues, he’s proven to have a nice ceiling for his $7,800 price tag.
Bane isn’t expected to be super popular on this slate, but he has the best projected Plus/Minus among the high-priced shooting guards. His optimal lineup rate also exceeds his projected ownership, so he could be a bit undervalued for tournaments.
Value
Sticking with the Magic, the emergence of Anthony Black has been a big part of their improvement recently. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in nine straight games, including at least 34.0 DraftKings points in three straight. He went off for a season-high 42.25 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute for the year.
Black is now locked into about 30 minutes a night, so he remains firmly in play at $5,500. Until Banchero comes back, Black should be a pretty consistent source of value for Orlando.
Fast Break
Shaedon Sharpe returned from injury for the Blazers recently, and he was limited in his first two games back. However, he got up to 30 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with 34.25 DraftKings points. If Sharpe continues to see that much playing time, he has plenty of upside at $6,400. He’s averaged 1.23 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and before getting injured, he posted a positive Plus/Minus in eight straight games.
Norman Powell continues to do what he’s done basically his whole career: get buckets. He’s averaging 1.15 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he hasn’t seen a huge decrease since the return of Tyler Herro. He’s notched 37.0 and 44.5 DraftKings points in his past two outings, yet his salary has actually decreased to $6,600 for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Mavericks. He has the top optimal lineup rate at the position.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Michael Porter Jr. returned to the lineup in the Nets’ last game, and he picked up basically right where he left off. He tallied 56.25 DraftKings points in a win over the Hornets, pouring in 35 points with a 32.3% usage rate. Porter has posted career highs in usage and scoring this season, and he’s only been more aggressive since the injury to Cam Thomas.
MPJ has ultimately averaged 1.28 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s projected for 34 minutes in a great matchup. He has the top ceiling projection at the position, and he also stands out as a solid target in terms of projected Plus/Minus. That makes him a strong option in all formats.
Value
On the other side of that matchup, Ayo Dosunmu has become an excellent role player for the Bulls. He’s been an absolute weapon from 3-point range, knocking down just under 50% of his attempts for the year, and he’s averaged 0.91 DraftKings points per minute.
Dosunmu is projected for 33 minutes vs. the Nets, and Chicago has the potential to be pretty shorthanded on Wednesday. Coby White has already been ruled out, Isaac Okoro is doubtful, and four other players are listed as questionable. Dosunmu should help pick up the slack, and he leads the position in projected Plus/Minus.
Fast Break
Jerami Grant stands out as an undervalued option for the Blazers on this slate. His optimal lineup rate is significantly higher than his projected ownership, and he’s displayed an excellent ceiling for tournaments. He’s gone for at least 48.5 DraftKings points in two of his past seven, and not many players in his price range can reach that type of height.
Toumani Camara is another potential option for Portland. He’s scored at least 36.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, and he’s capable of contributing fantasy points in a variety of categories. He’s averaged just 0.77 DraftKings points per minute for the year, but that’s been with poor shooting efficiency. If he can provide a bit more as a scorer – like he’s done in his past two games – he’s capable of providing excellent value at $5,300. He ultimately leads the position in optimal lineup rate.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Anthony Davis is still one of the most talented players in the league. His biggest issue has been his ability to stay on the floor. He’s played in just seven games for the Mavericks this season, but he’s averaged an elite 1.56 DraftKings points per minute when he’s been available.
Davis has played in the team’s past two outings, and he got up to 32.4 minutes in his last game. He responded with 62.75 DraftKings points in an upset win over the Nuggets.
Davis is projected for another 31 minutes on Wednesday, and he’s simply too cheap if he’s going to play that much. He’s historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.26 with a comparable salary and minute projection, and he leads the position in projected Plus/Minus on Wednesday.
Value
Trusting Andrew Wiggins never seems to work out, both in real life and in fantasy. However, it’s impossible to deny what Wiggins has accomplished this season. He’s averaging 1.01 DraftKings points per minute for the up-tempo Heat, and he’s coming off two straight big games. He had 43.25 DraftKings points vs. the Clippers in his last outing, and he had 51.0 against the Pistons the game prior.
Like his teammate Powell, Wiggins’ salary has actually decreased despite his recent production. He’s down to just $6,100 for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Mavericks, and he should be able to return value at that figure.
Fast Break
Deni Avdija is questionable for the Blazers, and his absence would be a big deal. He’s become a fantasy superstar, so the rest of the team would see a boost if he’s ultimately ruled out. However, Avdija would be worth consideration if he does suit up. He’s scored at least 57.0 DraftKings points in three straight games, including more than 75 DraftKings points vs. the Thunder two games ago. If he can do that vs. OKC – who has the best defense in basketball by a country mile – he definitely has the potential for a big game vs. the Cavaliers. He has the third-highest optimal lineup rate at PF, trailing only Grant and Davis.
Keldon Johnson was quiet for the Spurs on Tuesday, but he’s turned in some big performances recently. He’s averaged 1.11 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and that figure has increased to 1.20 with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle off the floor. He’s only projected for 25 minutes in our NBA Models, but Johnson can do more damage than most with that amount of playing time.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Most of the high-priced center options on this slate stand out as poor values. That makes going down to Nic Claxton an appealing alternative. Claxton isn’t a true stud at $6,400, but he’s capable of turning in stud-like performances. He’s scored at least 41.25 DraftKings points in two of his past six games, and he’s averaged a respectable 1.06 DraftKings points per minute for the year. He’s projected for 31.5 minutes in our NBA Models, which is enough for him to potentially return value.
The matchup vs. the Bulls is also elite. In addition to playing at a super-fast pace, the Bulls have also struggled mightily against opposing centers. Claxton owns a +5.45 Opponent Plus/Minus, which is the second-best mark at the position.
Claxton ultimately leads all centers in projected Plus/Minus, and he has the top optimal lineup rate as well. That makes him the clear top choice at the position.
Value
Goga Bitadze is a solid pure punt play at $3,500. He’s only projected for 17 minutes in our NBA Models, but Bitadze doesn’t need a full workload to potentially return value. He’s excellent on a per-minute basis, and he’s averaged 1.14 DraftKings points per minute so far this season.
Bitadze has posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past five outings, and he’s had more than 25 DraftKings points in three of them. That gives him a nice ceiling for his price tag.
Fast Break
Onyeka Okongwu has posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games, and he’s taken a nice step forward in his sixth professional season. He no longer has to split time with Clint Capela, so Kristaps Porzingis is his only real competition for minutes at center. Porzingis will miss Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Clippers, and Okongwu is projected for 34 minutes as a result. He’s averaged 1.14 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he stands out as a nice combination of value and upside.
Nikola Jokic has been priced up to $13,400 on DraftKings, and that would be a comical price tag for most players. It’s probably too high even for Jokic, who has a negative Plus/Minus projection on Wednesday’s slate. Of course, Jokic is capable of going absolutely nuclear on any given slate, just like he did on Monday. He finished with 29 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists, good for 84.5 DraftKings points. When he goes off like that, it doesn’t really matter what his price tag is.
Pictured: Anthony Davis
Photo Credit: Imagn
