This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid: Memphis Grizzlies, vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: The Grizzlies are already a formidable defensive unit, giving up the third-fewest points (97.8) per game and second-lowest shooting percentage (43.2). However, with the Cavs announcing that the trio of Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love will all sit out Wednesday's contest for rest, Memphis becomes the top defense on the night.
Offense To Use: Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets versus each other: It's very hard to choose which of these two units will outscore the other, and the reality is that both of them are likely to reap the benefits of the opponents' weaknesses Wednesday. The Nets give up the most points (115.2), while the Lakers are only slightly better, ranking as the fourth-worst in that category (111.1). The roles are reversed when it comes to shooting percentage allowed, as the Lakers surrender a league-high (48.3%), while the Nets sport the third-worst figure (47.1%). It all adds up to what should be a busy scoreboard, making players from both sides viable options.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Pacers, Spurs
Second game of a back-to-back: Cavs, Grizzlies, Magic, Thunder
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Chris Paul, LAC at ORL ($8,700):James Harden's price ($12,000) is in the stratosphere, while Russell Westbrook ($11,800) is on the second game of a back-to-back. While either player naturally brings tremendous upside, Paul comes at a significant discount and has been flashing an impressive ceiling himself lately, rattling off totals of 65.25 and 54.25 fantasy points, respectively, over the last two games. On Wednesday, he takes on a Magic squad playing on the second night of a back-to-back that has given up 55.2 fantasy points to point guards over the last five, as well as 55.1 fantasy points per game overall this season. They've also yielded the seventh-highest field goal percentage (45.2) to the position, and are a bottom-10 unit in terms of assists allowed (8.7), a particularly relevant stat with respect to a distributor the caliber of Paul.
Sean Kilpatrick, BKN vs. LAL ($5,100): Kilpatrick comes at a fairly notable discount compared to just a few games ago and will be involved in what could well be the highest-scoring game of the night. While he did turn in a 6.25-fantasy-point dud just a couple of games ago, that came against the Spurs and a healthy dose of Danny Green defense. Otherwise, Kilpatrick has scored 21.25 to 36.5 fantasy points in his five most recent games and has flashed a 59.5-fantasy point ceilin. Additionally, the Lakers give up the second-most fantasy points (44.7), third-most points (24.2), fourth-most assists (4.4) and third-most three-pointers (3.1) to two-guards this season.
J.R. Smith, CLE at MEM ($3,500): Some interesting low-cost options, including Jodie Meeks ($3,000), Kelly Oubre, Jr. ($3,700) and Nick Young ($3,900), abound at guard Wednesday, but the resurgent Smith may be in the best position of them all. The veteran bounced back from what had essentially been a month-long slump Tuesday against the same Grizzlies squad he takes on Wednesday, tallying 36.75 fantasy points on the strength of a season-high 23 points. While he's notorious for going from the penthouse to the outhouse, shooting-wise, from one game to the next, the conditions that quite likely played a big part in Smith's breakout Tuesday --the absence of Kyrie Irving -- will only be exacerbated Wednesday. The Cavs have announced that Irving, Kevin Love and LeBron James will all sit out the contest for rest, which could propel Smith's usage through the roof. Despite some Tony Allen defense, which didn't seem to bother Smith much Tuesday, he should be able to return solid value on his price, though ownership figures to be high.
Kawhi Leonard, SA vs. BOS ($8,100): The top-end at forward features the always viable DeMarcus Cousins ($11,100), but Leonard can be had for a significant discount in a favorable matchup. The Celtics have been very solid against small forwards over the last five games, but their overall body of work against the position this season tells a different story. They've given up the seventh-most fantasy points to threes on the season (44.1), and also check in as a bottom-10 unit in terms of points (20.5), rebounds (8.7), assists (3.7) and field-goal percentage (44.7) yielded to the position. Leonard has also elevated his already-impressive game lately, scoring 42.75 to 48.0 fantasy points over the last three contests. Plus, he went off for 49.5 fantasy points against the Celtics in their previous meeting this season, back on Nov. 25.
Trevor Booker, BKN vs. LAL ($5,900): Booker draws one of the better matchups on the night in the Lakers, one that he should be able to exploit if recent games, both his own and that of the Lakers', are any indication. Booker has scored 35.75 to 39.25 fantasy points in three of the last four, and 44.75 fantasy points six games ago against the Clippers. Meanwhile, the Lakers have allowed the most fantasy points (60.4) to power forwards over the last five games, as well as the second most on the season (52.1). They've also given up the sixth-most rebounds to fours (12.2), which is particularly relevant for a player as proficient on the boards as Booker, who has double-doubles in six of his last nine contests.
Kelly Olynyk, BOS at SA ($3,600):Bojan Bogdanovic ($4,400) can be deployed as a tournament play in a highly favorable matchup against the Lakers, while David Lee ($3,500) also shapes up as interesting and potentially sneaky option in the forward bargain bin Wednesday, given his recent, season-best 35.0 fantasy points against his former Celtics teammates on Nov. 25. However, I'll give the nod to Olynyk, who's scored 25.75 and 25.0 fantasy points, respectively, over the last two games, and double-digit fantasy points in four straight overall. Particularly encouraging is the fact that he's gotten a solid allotment of playing time over the last three, logging 20-23 minutes over that span, and that he's been able to provide solid secondary stats despite struggling with his shot during the last two games. The Spurs have actually proven vulnerable to power forwards this season, giving up the sixth-most points (21.2) to the position. They've also given up a healthy 14.6 rebounds to centers, where Olynyk is also expected to be deployed at times.
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. IND ($8,300): Whiteside draws a Pacers defense that's been highly generous to centers, giving up 50.4 fantasy points, the third-most rebounds (15.8) and the third-highest field-goal percentage (55.8) to the position. While he's had a handful of down games, they've generally come in tough matchups, such as against Dwight Howard and Rudy Gobert, and he's still managed to eclipse the 20-fantasy point mark in those games. He's scored 40.5 and 44.5 fantasy points, respectively, over the last two against more penetrable foes, and Wednesday's matchup against Myles Turner may qualify as one of his most favorable of the season.
Myles Turner, IND at MIA ($6,000): Having said all of that about Whiteside's offensive potential Wednesday, Turner also shapes up as an appealing play against him. The Heat's big man hasn't exactly been an overall defensive force despite his rim-guarding ability, as Miami gives up the fourth-most fantasy points (51.0), seventh-most rebounds (15.1), third-most steals (1.4), fourth-most blocks (2.7) and second-highest field-goal percentage (55.9) to fives. Turner has also scored 29.5 to 42.75 fantasy points in his last five, which represent solid returns for cash games or tournaments based on his current price.
b>Nene Hilario, HOU vs. SAC ($3,000): Hilario has picked it up over the last three, scoring 15.75 to 24.75 fantasy points over that span, eclipsing the 20-fantasy point mark in two of those games. He's shot and rebounded impressively during that period,and faces a Kings defense that's given up 50.6 fantasy points per game to centers over its last five games.
INJURY REPORT
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