This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
Los Angeles Clippers, vs. Dallas Mavericks: The Clippers are looking to catch the Jazz for the No. 4 seed and are playing a Mavs team that has been eliminated from playoff contention. Even though they've actually lost two of the three games to Dallas this season, they've held them under 100 points in both of those contests and allowed them a modest 104 points in their one victory. While the Clippers' defense isn't as sharp as in seasons past, they've held five of their last six home opponents to 105 points or less, a stretch that includes limiting the Cavs to 78 points and the Jazz to 95.
Offense To Use
Houston Rockets, vs. Denver Nuggets: The Rockets will be facing a Nuggets team that will be playing on their third game in four nights and that's coming off an exhausting 134-131 victory over the Pelicans on Tuesday. Houston has also scored 128 and 125 points in two of their three victories over Denver this season and checks in scoring the second-most points (115.4) per contest and with two full days of rest – including a no-practice day on Tuesday. They should have James Harden (illness) and Trevor Ariza (personal) back as well, and there aren't indications any starters will be rested Wednesday. However, if news were to break about key pieces sitting, the Warriors are a great offense to pivot to against the Suns.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Celtics
Second game of a back-to-back: Hornets, Raptors, Nuggets, Cavaliers, Spurs, Warriors, Mavericks
James Harden, HOU vs. DEN ($12,500): Harden has averaged 63.5 fantasy points over three games against the Nuggets this season, posting 33.0 points, 10.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds in those contests. Denver surrenders the most fantasy points (47.4), most points (23.4), second-most assists (4.6) and highest field-goal percentage (46.6) to two-guards and Harden has averaged 61.9 fantasy points over 38 home games this season.
For those needing some savings or in the unlikely event Harden were to sit, Stephen Curry ($10,000) is an appealing pivot in a terrific matchup against the Suns.
Isaiah Thomas, BOS vs. CLE ($8,500): The Celtics will be looking to even the season series against the Cavs and reclaim the top spot in the Eastern Conference in the process. Thomas has owned Cleveland this season, averaging 46.5 fantasy points on 50 percent shooting over three games against the Cavs. He's also eclipsed the 40-fantasy point mark once and 50 fantasy points twice over the last five games, while the Cavs give up the seventh-most fantasy points (53.9) to point guards and rank in the bottom 10 in several other categories against the position.
For those looking for some savings, Klay Thompson ($7,300) is priced right for a matchup against the Suns.
Gary Harris , DEN at HOU ($5,600): Harris has averaged 37.0 fantasy points over two previous games against the Rockets, shooting an outstanding 53.3 percent. He's scored between 30.5 and 44.75 fantasy points in three of his last four games, while also eclipsing 30 fantasy points thrice and 40 on one other occasion over the last 10 contests. The Rockets give up the fifth-most fantasy points (46.4) on the season to two-guards and third-most (51.8) over the last five contests, and they also rank in the bottom five or 10 in virtually every other category against the position.
For those looking for bigger savings, Harris' teammates Jamal Murray ($4,500) and Emmanuel Mudiay ($4,200) are also viable options, particularly for GPPs.
LeBron James, CLE at BOS ($10,200): James has averaged 61.0 fantasy points over three games against the Celtics, with near triple-double numbers of 27.0 points, 11.0 assists and 9.3 rebounds. The Celtics have given up the most fantasy points (57.2) to small forwards over the last five games and third-most (49.2) over the last 10, while James has averaged 58.4 fantasy points over the last five and scored between 51.75 and 89.0 fantasy points in eight of the last 10 contests.
Tobias Harris, DET vs. TOR ($6,000): While LaMarcus Aldridge ($6,700) and Danilo Gallinari ($6,300) will likely be popular at this tier Wednesday, both will be on their third game in four nights, introducing at least an element of risk into the equation. Harris thus makes for a likely under-owned pivot who's notably averaged 31.5 fantasy points (on 61.0 percent shooting) over three games against the Raptors and has scored over 30 fantasy points twice in the last three games. Toronto has given up a robust 47.5 fantasy points per game to power forwards this season and Harris is averaging 28.2 fantasy points over 39 home games this season.
Thomas Robinson, LAL at SA ($4,000): Robinson has seen a boon in playing time in the wake of Ivica Zubac's season-ending ankle injury, has scored between 25.0 and 33.25 fantasy points in three of the last four games and posted a 28.1 percent usage rate over that span. He's proven capable of piling up the production in modest amounts of playing time (1.31 DraftKings points per minute over the last four games) and despite a tough matchup against the Spurs, his price is low enough to make him a viable option for tournaments.
Nikola Jokic, DEN at HOU ($9,400): Jokic played a normal allotment of minutes (34) in Tuesday night's shootout with the Pelicans and has scored between 39.0 and 61.75 fantasy points in eight of the last 10 games. That stretch includes three games over 40 fantasy points and three others over 50, and he's also averaged 40.3 fantasy points in two prior games against the Rockets this season. Houston checks in surrendering the third-most fantasy points (53.7) to centers on the season, furthering Jokic's case.
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at CHA ($7,900): Whiteside takes on a Hornets defense that's proven vulnerable to big men all season, surrendering 51.4 fantasy points per game to centers, along with 15.2 rebounds and the second-most blocks (2.5). Whiteside has scored 41.0 fantasy points in each of the last two games and has scored between 40.5 and 52.5 fantasy points in five others over the last 10 contests. The game shapes up as a must-win for Miami, which should ensure heavy usage and minutes from Whiteside in a favorable matchup.
Nene Hilario, HOU vs. DEN ($4,100): Larry Nance, Jr. ($4,800) has been playing very well while drawing starts at center for the Lakers and is thus an option for those who have the extra cash. However, Hilario has been providing above-average production relative to price recently in his own right, and he could be in for a few extra minutes with Sam Dekker (hand) sidelined and Ryan Anderson (ankle) listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game. Hilario has scored between 26.25 and 32.0 fantasy points in four of the last five contests and in what could be a high-scoring affair Wednesday, he presents as solid value.
INJURY REPORT
For the latest news on injured players heading into the games, check out our Injury Updates page.
