This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
FanDuel's Wednesday slate kicks off at 4:00 p.m. ET with nine games on the docket. As usual, there will be several injury scenarios to take advantage of, and there are a couple of players that should be chalk in the majority of your lineups. Let's get to it!
SLATE OVERVIEW
(odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change)
Games/Teams To Target in BOLD
Games/Teams To Fade in ITALIC
TOR @ WAS (+4.5) O/U: 229.5
ATL @ DAL (-4) O/U: 233.5
IND @ BKN (-2) O/U: 234.5
CHA @ MEM (-4) O/U: 226
LAC @ MIN (+9) O/U: 228.5
NOR @ CHI (+3) O/U: 230
CLE @ DEN (-9.5) O/U: 223
OKC @ LAL (-12 ) O/U: 218.5
MIL @ PHO (+4) O/U: 224.5
BACK-TO-BACK TEAMS: Nets, Pelicans
INJURIES
TOR OG Anunoby (calf) - QUESTIONABLE
Anunoby is now questionable, which is an improvement over his previous designations. Norman Powell ($6,300) remains the logical pivot in this spot.
BKN Kevin Durant (COVID-19) - OUT
The Nets are on a back-to-back, so there's a possibility that Kyrie Irving ($9,500) could take a seat. This game against Indiana is on the earlier side, so hopefully, we'll get some word on any potential scratches closer to game lock. No one stands out as a potential pivot here yet, but an Irving absence would undoubtedly open things up.
CHA Devonte' Graham (groin) - OUT
Once again, LaMelo Ball ($8,200) sets up as a great spot with a depleted backcourt, even though his price is going north of what we might consider reasonable value. Malik Monk ($4,700) would be a cheaper way to capitalize on this absence.
MEM Brandon Clarke (calf) - OUT
MEM De'Anthony Melton (shoulder) - OUT
Like Charlotte, no particular player stands out as a pivot at this point. This is a moderately good spot against Washington, but it's best to look at the starting five before lock to see what develops.
LAC Paul George (foot) - OUT
We'll discuss my favorite play here shortly, but Lou Williams ($5,800) is a value play to consider, as he enjoys a 27 percent usage rate when George is off the floor.
MIN D'Angelo Russell (leg) - QUESTIONABLE
MIN Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19) - DOUBTFUL
Ricky Rubio ($5,000) would draw the start if Russell can't go, but I'm more enamored with Anthony Edwards ($6,100) and Malik Beasley ($7,400) in the event of a Russell absence. This will be a tough haul versus the Clippers, so using any Timberwolf tonight is laced with some risk.
CHI Lauri Markkanen (shoulder) - OUT
CHI Wendell Carter (quad) - OUT
These key frontcourt pieces are out yet again, making Thaddeus Young ($6,900) an ok option despite recent salary increases. Many people will also likely flock to Patrick Williams ($4,400) in an effort for cheap value.
CLE Kevin Love (calf) - OUT
CLE Larry Nance (finger - OUT
Andre Drummond ($7,700) still sits at an excellent price, and his rebounding prowess makes him a great candidate for 5x value or more tonight. I wouldn't stack them, but Jarrett Allen ($6,400) continues to see more minutes, and I like both sides in a frontcourt battle with the Nuggets.
OKC Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (shoulder) - OUT
OKC Theo Maledon (COVID-19) - OUT
OKC Mike Muscala (concussion) - OUT
OKC George Hill (thumb) - OUT
Although they're playing the Lakers, the Thunder set up to be an excellent team for value once again. Hamidou Diallo ($6,500) looks good, and I also like Isaiah Roby ($5,000) in a value spot. Al Horford ($6,200) has been playing well amidst the smattering of absences as well. It's worth noting that the Thunder will be playing with an extremely tight rotation, so a look at the starting lineup is certainly worthwhile.
LAL Anthony Davis (Achilles) - QUESTIONABLE
LAL LeBron James (ankle) - PROBABLE
Since both players are eternally on injury designations, they're usually never mentioned, but Davis sat on Monday, and this injury appears to be no every-day thing. If Davis ends up out, a pivot to James ($10,700) becomes almost a requirement. I'd also like Kyle Kuzma ($5,500) in AD's absence.
MIL Jrue Holiday (COVID-19) - OUT
Donte DiVincenzo ($4,700) played very well and hit 8x value in relief of Holiday in the last game, so it's a great spot to hit again.
PHO Chris Paul (hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
It's a wait-and-see situation for Paul, but you have to like continued run from Devin Booker ($7,700) if he is out again. E'Twaun Moore ($3,800) started and played well in place of Paul, so he is a reasonable pivot if CP3 can't make it.
ELITE PLAYERS
Nikola Jokic ($11,000) sits atop the slate and is by no means a fade, but I think you can find centers on the slate that can give you appropriate value for a lower salary. Luka Doncic's ($10,900) numbers have been all over the place recently, almost alternating between blowups and let-downs. Rather than roll the dice, I'm likely to keep my exposure below the field despite a favorable matchup against the Hawks. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,900) is someone I don't mind having a piece of, however. The usually stingy Suns defense showed some weakness against Cleveland, and this should be one of those close games where they let Giannis loose. I like him best above all other 10k-plus offerings. Coming in a close second would be James Harden ($10,600) on a back-to-back, and he gets an upgrade if Kyrie Irving ($9,500) sits. Irving jumps up the rankings if he plays. We're all aware of what Bradley Beal ($10,600) can do on a nightly basis, but I won't have a lot of him with Westbrook back, and I think Trae Young's ($10,100) FanDuel price is a bit too high.
As we move into the 9k range, I am all over Domantas Sabonis ($9,300) tonight. The Nets' frontcourt defense has been downright terrible, and if you add Kevin Durant's absence to the equation, Sabonis becomes one of my favorite calls on the slate. I like Zach LaVine ($9,300) again as well in what should be an evenly-matched affair, and Pascal Siakam ($9,400) would be an excellent way to get unique against the shaky frontcourt of the Wizards. Russell Westbrook ($9,700) is way overpriced compared to other sites, so I think I will look in different directions at point guard. Finally, expect Kawhi Leonard ($9,700) to excel against Minnesota. The blowout potential here is of some concern, and I will be tempted to target some second-unit players for the Clippers as well, but the opportunity here can't be ignored.
Also consider: Fred VanVleet, TOR ($4,500) @ WAS
EXPECTED CHALK
We identified several of my favorite options in the mid-range above, so don't forget about them as we move forward. There are as important as these chalk spots, if not more so.
Zion Williamson, NO ($8,400) @ CHI
I like Zion just a little bit better than Brandon Ingram ($8,700) for $300 less, although both of them look to be in plum spots in this game with a total in the 230 range. These two teams have yet to meet, but Zion has been on fire recently and could be in line to exploit the depleted Bulls frontcourt tonight.
Jonas Valanciunas, MEM ($7,200) vs. CHA
There's little reason to be concerned with Cody Zeller for JoVal, and the Memphis big man is doing a lot of heavy lifting while his backcourt regains its footing. With the pool of centers available, he may seem to be more of a contrarian option due to Memphis' current struggles, but the sharps may see the rostership early and pounce on this call.
Lonzo Ball, NO ($7,000) @ CHI
The trade rumors for Ball are getting louder and louder. If the Pelicans think they can get something good in return, New Orleans will likely take its chances with Eric Bledsoe and Nickeil Alexander-Walker moving forward. This begs the question as to how they choose to utilize Ball in the meantime. It could have an inverse effect, as everyone knows his upside already, but the team is focused on winning, and despite the massive game from Josh Hart last night, I like Ball after only playing 30 minutes in the front-end of the back-to-back.
Chris Boucher, TOR ($6,000) @ WAS
He sits way below where we usually identify chalk, but Boucher's popularity hasn't waned. His favorable salary is a primary reason for the hype, although he doesn't consistently deliver the way you'd hope. Still, he's beaten value in three straight games and is in a great spot against the Wizards, who will struggle to contain him.
VALUE PLAYS ($6,667 and below)
Collin Sexton, CLE ($6,600) @ DEN
It's sure to be a tough matchup against the Nuggets, but Denver is near the bottom against opposing point guards, and Sexton's heaving up an average of 18 shots over the past four games. They played hard against Phoenix, and the Cavs could keep this game closer than most would expect.
Will Barton, DEN ($5,400) vs. CLE
With the injury to Gary Harris, Barton has turned on the gas. He's usually very shot-dependent, but he's tagged on some assists and rebounds in recent games, and that's given his fantasy totals a nice spike. He scored a season-high 24 points against the Bucks on Monday, so his numbers are trending up.
Dillon Brooks, MEM ($5,200) vs. CHA
Although Memphis is a bit at sea for the moment, Brooks' 22 points against Toronto on Monday should signal some production coming his way as the team works out the kinks. He's certainly logging enough minutes to be relevant, and he has a firm hold on his backcourt job opposite Ja Morant, who is working through inconsistency.
Kenrich Williams, OKC ($4,500) @ LAL
As we said, the Thunder will be playing short-handed, and Williams has an excellent chance to crush value if he sees enough minutes. He's averaged 32 minutes over the past three games with an average of 24 fantasy points during that span. That average is good enough for 6x value.
I'll conclude the article with an assortment of extra options in the bargain bin. As always, refer back to the injury section for the top value pivots.
SF Nicolas Batum, LAC ($5,100) @ MIN
SF Kevin Huerter, ATL ($5,000) @ DAL
SF Doug McDermott, IND ($4,500) @ BKN
PG Monte Morris, DEN ($4,100) vs. CLE
