We'll finish out the year with nine games on the NBA schedule, but FanDuel is opting to exclude the earlier games and roll with a five-game offering in their primary contest window. Using RotoWire's trusted NBA projections, I'll run down my best selections for the evening, and we'll begin by taking a quick look at the Vegas numbers before starting with an injury summary, which features one of the most impactful injuries of the season.
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NBA Games Today
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NBA Injuries Today
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.
CHI Josh Giddey (hamstring) - OUT
Giddey is expected to miss a few weeks, making Tre Jones ($4,600) a valuable add in January.
NYK Josh Hart (ankle) - OUT
It's unknown whether Miles McBride will re-enter the starting lineup today, but Mohamed Diawara ($3,400) might get another shot with the first unit if he stays on the bench.
SAS Devin Vassell (groin) - OUT
SAS Stephon Castle (thumb) - QUESTIONABLE
Julian Champagnie ($4,100) is the likely fill-in for Vassell with the first unit. I'd expect Dylan Harper ($5,200) to step in for Castle if he's out.
DEN Nikola Jokic (knee) - OUT
This injury is the headliner. Jonas Valanciunas ($5,500) is the obvious replacement here, but some other bench players could have an impact down the line.
WAS Kyshawn George (hip) - OUT
With George out, Washington's first unit should shuffle a bit and go a little smaller with Tre Johnson ($4,500). Bub Carrington ($5,000) will also see a slight bump in usage.
POR Kris Murray (quad) - QUESTIONABLE
POR Jerami Grant (Achilles) - OUT
The Trail Blazers will have to dig deep if Murray misses. Sidy Cissoko ($3,800) might be called upon to fill in, but it's a volatile spot with no guarantee of production.
Elite NBA DFS Picks
We have three players with $10k-plus salary topping the player pool, and it's a list of the usual suspects. Victor Wembanyama ($11,400), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,100) and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,600) are the blue-chippers. I'd argue that Giannis has the best matchup, as I'd rather not take the Spurs against the Knicks. We could still have an appetite for SGA against Portland, but I can likely find production at guard that I can settle for at a lower salary point.
In the $9k range, Jamal Murray ($9,100) will likely play a pivotal role in DFS lineups as Jokic's injury continues. He doesn't have the best matchup, but the Nuggets will heavily rely on him for increased production. Jokic's absence is one reason why I like Scottie Barnes ($8,500) in the next tier.
Expected Chalk and NBA DFS Value Plays
Zion Williamson, NOP ($7,700) @ CHI
Williamson is back in the starting lineup, and I think our days of seeing him below $8k may be coming to a close. The Bulls will slump a bit without Josh Giddey, and I think Zion will line up well against the rest of the first unit. The Pelicans have shown signs of life lately despite some unfortunate results, and Zion has been steadily in the mix as the top producer. If Zion doesn't interest you, you can also get a piece of the Pelicans by going with Saddiq Bey ($5,900), who will have low rostership and is much cheaper.
Chet Holmgren, OKC ($7,000) vs. POR
I'll have an interest in Holmgren whenever Isaiah Hartenstein is out, and the scenario should continue for another week or so. He's beaten 5x value with ease during the absence, and is a great option near the FanDuel median price.
OG Anunoby, NYK ($6,700) @ SAS
Anunoby is on an encouraging two-game run, and I think he'll continue producing against the Spurs tonight. The Spurs are missing Devin Vassell and potentially Stephon Castle, so Anunoby should have more room to move and will present a mismatch for the Spurs to contend with.
CJ McCollum, WAS ($6,200) @ MIL
The Wizards will need McCollum to step up without Kyshawn George, so we may be able to catch some of the veteran's upside at a favorable salary. I like him a lot better than the cavalcade of people they'll bring up to account for the production gap, and McCollum has consistently met 5x value at this salary point.
Peyton Watson, DEN ($5,300) @ TOR
Aside from Murray, we should give Watson extra attention with Jokic out. Watson's fill-in for Aaron Gordon has been a mixed bag, but we should especially consider Watson with Cameron Johnson also sidelined. Valanciunas will be the workhorse underneath the basket, but Watson could pick up some of the lost scoring production with more efficiency than Valanciunas.
Jalen Smith, CHI ($4,400) vs. NOP
Smith is hindered by single eligibility at center, but he's now occupying the four spot next to Nikola Vucevic with regularity. This is one of those times when you wish FanDuel had a utility pot similar to DraftKings. We have other hybrid centers to use at PF, so taking a flyer at center may not be the worst idea.
