NBA DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Lineup Strategy for Wednesday, February 26

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Published on February 26, 2025

We have a nine-game slate available for DFS play on Wednesday, and I plan on keeping the good vibes going after having one of my most profitable weekends of the season. A third-place GPP finish padded my excellent totals, and we also cashed across the board on Monday, so let's keep it going! Tip-off for the first contests is at 7:00 p.m. ET.

SLATE OVERVIEW

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There may be blowouts on the horizon for several games tonight, so more reliable first-unit production should be found in games with narrower spreads. This means that Miami and Atlanta are more in play. The Knicks are 10-point favorites against the Sixers, but Towns' potential absence could make this game a little closer.

INJURIES

For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Wednesday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.

PHI Joel Embiid (knee) - OUT

PHI Guerschon Yabusele (eye) - OUT

The lack of available size should move Andre Drummond ($5,000) into the starting lineup, making him an excellent budget center candidate against the Knicks.

NYK Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) - QUESTIONABLE

Towns' potential absence would be unfortunate given Philly's lack of depth at center, but Precious Achiuwa ($6,400) would be in line for more time if Towns can't make it.

IND Tyrese Haliburton (groin) - QUESTIONABLE

IND T.J. McConnell (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE

Although one should monitor the situation prior to game lock, Andrew Nembhard ($5,200) and Ben Sheppard ($3,800) become viable options if the absences hold.

MIA Bam Adebayo (calf) - QUESTIONABLE

Although Kel'el Ware ($5,800) is also dealing with an injury, he is probable to play and would see an increased load if Adebayo is out.

CHI Nikola Vucevic (calf) - OUT

CHI Jalen Smith (concussion) - OUT

Although Zach Collins ($5,000) also has an injury tag, he is expected to play and should serve as the team's starting center.

LAC Norman Powell (knee) - OUT

Powell's absence will require Kawhi Leonard ($7,800) to apply himself, although there's no guarantee he'll play sufficient minutes.

UTA Lauri Markkanen (back) - OUT

UTA John Collins (back) - OUT

UTA Walker Kessler (illness) - QUESTIONABLE

UTA Collin Sexton (ankle) - OUT

Brice Sensabaugh ($4,800) is my favorite pivot as the Jazz continue to struggle with several injuries.

ELITE PLAYERS

We have three players over $10k for Wednesday's slate, and all three players are healthy. I think I'll pass on Jayson Tatum ($10,100) as he'll need to save his energy for a big game against Cleveland on the horizon. I will also take Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,500) over Cade Cunningham ($10,100), as SGA will face the Nets.

There's no shortage of talent in the $9k range. Domantas Sabonis ($9,800) is a no-brainer against Utah's depleted frontcourt, and I'll take a chance with Jalen Brunson ($9,100) if Towns is a confirmed scratch.

I like two centers in the $8k range, as both Alperen Sengun ($8,600) and Ivica Zubac ($8,100) have excellent matchups. I favor Zubac's spot a bit more due to the lower salary and the absence of Nikola Vucevic.

Also consider: Tyler Herro, MIA ($8,500) vs. ATL

EXPECTED CHALK AND OTHER TARGETS

Dyson Daniels, ATL ($8,000) @ MIA

Daniels is getting a little expensive, but he can still smash the value with this salary. Since he's substantially cheaper than Trae Young ($9,400), Daniels has become the DFS darling for Atlanta, posting comparable totals to his teammate.

Zach LaVine, SAC ($7,600) @ UTA

LaVine is starting to feel it with the Kings, and his 42-point result is evidence. He relied on a red-hot three-point shot to get to that total, and while he may not need to do as much against the short-handed Jazz, we should still get a solid first half out of him.

Deni Avdija, POR ($7,300) @ WAS

I think Portland is a better team than their record would indicate, and they have a very winnable game against the Wizards. It's a revenge spot for Avdija as he takes on his former team, and I think he'll be primed to put on a show against them. I also like Anfernee Simons ($7,100) in this spot.

Kelly Oubre, PHI ($6,600) @ NYK

Oubre's star has faded a bit due to Quentin Grimes's ($5,700) standout play, and while I still think they are interchangeable, Oubre found his way to a double-double in his last matchup against the Knicks. Grimes also had 21 points in that game, so both guys are worth a look.

Also consider: Andrew Wiggins, MIA ($6,700) vs. ATL

VALUE PLAYS

Below you'll find my favorite players below $6,000, with one player listed per position. Don't overuse the list, but/pick one or two players to help with any salary cap issues.

PG Killian Hayes, DET ($4,400)

SG/SF Jordan Clarkson, UTA ($5,900)

SF/PF Aaron Nesmith, IND ($4,700)

PF Jeremy Sochan, SAS ($5,800)

C Day'Ron Sharpe, BKN ($5,800)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.