Wednesday features a seven-game main slate starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
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.
Stud
James Harden has been balling of late. He may not be the same player that he was in his prime, but he’s still capable of putting up big numbers when he needs to. He’s done a bunch of that recently, scoring at least 57.0 DraftKings points in four straight games. Overall, he’s averaged 1.32 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and no one at the position is projected for more than his 37.5 minutes.
Harden is going to have to do even more than usual on Wednesday. The Clippers are on the second leg of a back-to-back, which means they’ll almost certainly be without Kawhi Leonard. Leading scorer Norman Powell has also been out of the lineup recently, so Harden is going to have to carry the load offensively. Harden has seen a massive +8.4% bump to his usage rate with Leonard and Powell off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.48 DraftKings points per minute.
The matchup vs. the Heat isn’t ideal, but it’s simply too good of a spot for Harden to ignore. He leads the position in ceiling projection, despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander checking at $1,200 more.
Value
The Raptors are limping toward the finish line. Immanuel Quickley and R.J. Barrett have both been ruled out for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the 76ers, while Scottie Barnes is currently listed as questionable. A few other players are also expected to be sidelined, leaving the team with a small group of options to handle most of the minutes.
That includes Jamal Shead. He’s currently projected for 33 minutes in our NBA Models, which is a ton for someone priced at just $4,400. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.13 (per the Trends tool). Shead has also averaged a respectable 0.80 DraftKings points per minute this season, which is better than most players you’ll find in this price range. He leads all point guards in projected Plus/Minus, and he’s showing up in the optimal lineup simulations at greater than a 32% clip.
Fast Break
Scotty Pippen Jr. isn’t expected to see the same volume of minutes as Shead, but he typically makes the most of his playing time. He’s averaged 1.11 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s racked up at least 27.4 minutes in back-to-back games. He also benefits from one of the best possible matchups vs. the Jazz, with Utah ranking 29th in the league in defensive efficiency. The Grizzlies’ 129.75 implied team total is the top mark on the slate by more than seven points, so he’s a viable target at $4,100.
Jalen Green is an interesting contrarian option for the Rockets. He’s projected for less than 10% ownership, but his optimal lineup rate is closer to 15%. The team is currently playing without Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, so Green should carry a slightly larger offensive workload vs. the Suns. It’s also an excellent matchup, with Phoenix ranking 27th in defensive efficiency for the year.
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 is another potential option for the Grizzlies. He leads the team in minutes per game, and he’s averaged a healthy 1.20 DraftKings points per minute for the year. He’s been a bit boom-or-bust recently, but he has posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past seven outings.
Bane should be asked to do a bit more than usual on Wednesday. The Grizzlies are currently playing without Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama, which opens up a few additional shot attempts for the rest of the roster. Bane has increased his usage rate by +2.36% with both players off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.29 DraftKings points per minute. As long as this game vs. the Jazz doesn’t turn into a blowout – the Grizzlies are currently listed as 12-point home favorites – Bane is a good bet to pay off his $8,300 price tag.
Value
A.J. Lawson is coming off a monster showing for the Raptors on Monday. He racked up 32 points and 12 rebounds, ultimately finishing with 53.5 DraftKings points at just $3,500.
I wouldn’t expect a repeat performance on Wednesday, but Lawson can still provide massive value at $4,000. He’s seen a team-high +5.02% usage bump with Quickley, Barrett, and Gradey Dick off the floor this season, and he’s averaged 0.88 DraftKings points per minute in that split. He’s projected for another 34 minutes on Wednesday, making him one of the best values on the entire slate.
Additionally, Jared Rhoden is another player to consider for the Raptors. He’s not nearly as good as Lawson on a per-minute basis, but he’s projected for 32 minutes at just $3,200.
Fast Break
If you’re looking to go cheaper with the Grizzlies, Vince Williams fits the bill. He’s priced at just $3,800, resulting in a 91% Bargain Rating, and he should see around 24 minutes vs. the Jazz. He’s averaged 0.90 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he’s capable of making the most of his playing time.
Bogdan Bogdanovic could serve as the Clippers’ No. 3 option offensively behind Harden and Ivica Zubac on Wednesday. He’s increased his usage rate by +3.06% with Leonard and Powell off the floor since joining the Clippers, resulting in an average of 0.93 DraftKings points per minute. He’s projected for more than 31 minutes on Wednesday’s slate, making him another strong value target.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Naji Marshall is up to $7,500 for the Mavericks, and there’s definitely a bit of sticker shock with him at that figure. He’s been priced as low as $4,800 in the past month, so he’s not someone we’re used to seeing with such an expensive price tag.
Still, it’s hard to argue too hard against it. Marshall has emerged as the team’s No. 1 option with the injuries piling up in Dallas. He’s turned in at least 33.75 DraftKings points in four straight games, including a massive 66.25 DraftKings points vs. the Suns two games ago. He’s played at least 39.4 minutes in back-to-back contests, so he has plenty of upside if the team remains shorthanded vs. the Spurs.
Make sure to monitor the injury situation in Dallas before lineup lock. Specifically, P.J. Washington is questionable to return after missing the past five games, and Marshall would be significantly less appealing if he’s in the lineup.
Value
On the other side of that matchup, Keldon Johnson stands out as an elite target for the Spurs. He’s taken on a larger role for the team since the injury to Victor Wembanyama, increasing his production to 1.04 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s currently projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models, and he racked up 37.75 DraftKings points across 29 minutes in his last outing. That’s enough to put him on the radar at $4,800.
However, there’s a chance that Devin Vassell is sidelined on Wednesday, which would give Johnson even more appeal. He’s listed as questionable – along with Jeremy Sochan – and both players being out of the lineup would solidify Johnson’s spot in the pecking order. Harrison Barnes would also get a nice boost in that scenario.
Fast Break
Amir Coffey leaves a lot to be desired on a per-minute basis, but he could return value through sheer volume on Wednesday. He’s currently projected for 29 minutes at just $3,400, which is a tough combination to overlook. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.57. There are better values on a seven-game slate, but Coffey still has some appeal.
If Barnes is active for the Raptors, he will be a very strong stud target on this slate. He’s showing up in the optimal lineup simulations at the highest frequency at small forward, and he’s increased his production to 1.34 DraftKings points per minute with Barrett, Quickley, and Dick off the floor. I’m skeptical that he suits up, but he’s worth targeting if he does.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The Hornets are basically a two-man show at this point. LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges have handled most of the scoring chances recently, but Bridges has been more productive for fantasy purposes. He’s averaged 1.38 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which trails only Jayson Tatum among Wednesday’s power forwards. However, Tatum is significantly more expensive and has a far tougher matchup against the Thunder.
Bridges gets to benefit from one of the best matchups in basketball. He’s taking on the Hawks, who have played at the second-fastest pace this season. This game has the second-highest total on the slate at 237 points, so it’s a great spot for Bridges to keep the production going. He’s scored at least 54.0 DraftKings points in three of his past four games, so Bridges stands out as underpriced at $8,600.
Value
Dillon Brooks should be one of the big winners for the Rockets from their current injury situation. He’s coming off more than 37 minutes in his last outing, and he’s projected for 33 minutes in our NBA Models. That should be more than enough for him to pay off his $4,400 salary. He’s averaged 0.75 DraftKings points per minute for the year, but he’s increased that figure to 0.90 over the past month.
Fast Break
While Brooks stands out as the Rockets’ best pure value at power forward, Tari Eason might be their best tournament option. He’s showing up in the optimal lineup simulations at a massive frequency, and he’s the superior per-minute player. He’s averaged 1.10 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he should be locked into a sizable role with Thompson and Sheppard sidelined. Eason is currently projected for 29 minutes vs. the Suns, and he’s historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.03 with a comparable salary and minute projection.
John Collins could be a bit undervalued in tournaments. He’s been in and out of the lineup for the Jazz recently, but he’s been extremely productive when on the floor. He’s averaged 1.28 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s had 49.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. That’s plenty of upside for a player with a $6,600 salary.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Alperen Sengun stands out as the clear target if paying up at center. His optimal lineup rate checks in at 21.4%, and no other center priced above $7,100 is at greater than 7.68%. He also has the top ceiling projection at the position by more than eight full points.
Sengun remains a volatile production, but he’s still averaged an outstanding 1.40 DraftKings points per minute for the year. He hasn’t been at his best recently, but his matchup vs. the Suns comes with a +3.64 Opponent Plus/Minus.
Value
The Grizzlies’ injury report will be another important one to monitor on Wednesday. Brandon Clarke and Zach Edey are both listed as questionable, so the team could be significantly shorthanded in the frontcourt.
However, both Clarke and Edey are grading out as strong values at the position currently. Both players are cheap and excellent per-minute producers, so they’re capable of doing plenty of damage quickly. If one of the two is ruled out, the other would become one of the strongest values on the slate.
Fast Break
The Suns are desperately trying to save their season, so they’re looking for anyone who can give them valuable minutes. Mason Plumlee has fit that description of late. He’s logged at least 20 minutes in four straight games, and he’s responded with at least 20.75 DraftKings points in three straight. He’s projected for another 24 minutes on Wednesday, yet he remains very affordable at $3,400.
Onyeka Okongwu is the other possible pay-up option at center. He’s up to $7,100 on DraftKings, but he still has plenty of upside at that price tag. He’s scored at least 44.75 DraftKings points in two of his past three games, and he’s seized control of most of the center minutes in Atlanta. The Hawks have the second-highest implied team total on the slate, so Okongwu has some appeal in tournaments.
