This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
After a Tuesday night almost devoid of top-shelf talent, all of the heavy hitters will be returning in Wednesday's 10-game slate. Before we get started, let's take a look at any pertinent injury news.
Nikola Mirotic (illness) is the biggest name to potentially sit after being held out of Monday's game. He is currently questionable, so his status should be monitored closely. While Julius Randle ($7,100) is an obvious pivot here, you might want to take a look at Darius Miller ($3,300) as a low-cost pivot, as he logged 25 minutes in Mirotic's absence.
It also looks like Taurean Prince (ankle) will be out for a while after Monday's injury, which is a massive blow for the Hawks. I expect Kent Bazemore ($4,400) to get the most significant bump here, and there are some other Hawks that will garner a mention later in the article.
Another new injury comes from Charlotte, where Marvin Williams (shoulder) will be out for at least another week, which will give us a chance to see more of Miles Bridges ($4,100), and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($4,000) should get a noticeable bump in playing time as well.
The two games I'll be looking to build around tonight are the PHI/TOR and WAS/ATL matchups, as both contests are coming in with 230-plus O/U and the point spreads a moderately favorable. The GS/CLE game has the highest blowout potential on Wednesday, so I'm less inclined to look at Curry/Durant tonight, as I think they may take a seat once this game gets out of hand.
Back-to-back teams: Spurs, Mavericks
I'll now select three players at guard, forward and center, and I'll attempt to include a top-shelf player, a mid-range target and a low-cost value at each position. The categories will also include a list of non-highlighted players that warrant consideration.
GUARDS
There's so much goodness at the top here, and it's incredibly tempting to slot Russell Westbrook ($11,200) in against the Nets, but if he doesn't book you a 60 DKFP win, you've essentially over-spent. I'd instead go down a bit and hope for higher ceilings than go all-in with Westbrook tonight.
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. PHI ($7,700): Lowry eased back into action after a one-game absence with a low-scoring outing that included 11 assists. With a day off, I think Lowry is poised to get back into action against a Philly team that he blitzed for 44 DKFP in their last meeting. There are undoubtedly other temptations at this price point, but the Sixers haven't fared well against opposing point guards lately, yielding an average of 38 DKFP per game this season. Both D'Angelo Russell and Collin Sexton went off against them recently. It's hard to see a scenario where Lowry falters.
Trae Young, ATL vs. WAS ($6,000): Young's recent numbers have been erratic, but Young will need to shoulder more responsibility without Taurean Prince on the floor, and they're playing a team that's ranked 28th against his position over the past five games. Young should thrive in this high-paced affair as he tries to keep the Hawks competitive. Three-point shooting is Young's Achilles heel, but over the past couple of games, he's elected to focus on the mid-range jumper, which should benefit him until he gets his long-range stroke back.
Reggie Jackson, DET at MIL ($5,100): I haven't called out Jackson's number much this season, but he's quietly strung together some decent games of late, with a DKFP floor in the high 20s. Upon looking at Milwaukee's recent efficiency against point guards, you see some apparent spots where they've yielded a lot (Kemba Walker, Devin Booker). They've also allowed guys like Mudlay and Arcidiacono to go off against their backcourt D. It's hard to go low with your guards on this slate, but Jackson could give you relief where you need it.
Other guards to consider: Bradley Beal, WAS at ATL ($8,400), Luka Doncic, DAL at NO ($6,700), Kent Bazemore, ATL vs. WAS ($4,400)
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, TOR vs. PHI ($9,300): I'll go right to Kawhi here without much hesitation, and I have no problem with stacking Lowry and Leonard as my cash core on Wednesday. I think this play will be moderately popular, as it's hard to overlook Leonard's 55 DKFP explosion against Philly in their last meeting. Philly's lack of competition at this position is a notch against them, as it's been a while since they've had to fend off a dominant wing player like Kawhi. Granted, they took on the Sixers without Jimmy Butler, but they also gave up Robert Covington in that deal, who's arguably a better defensive player.
Jimmy Butler, PHI at TOR ($6,900): How can you fade the Butler's potential at this low price? I like him more as a GPP play, but he's so darned cheap. He also enjoyed past success here, putting up 48 DKFP against the Raptors in one encounter this season. I think it's likely that Butler and Leonard will line up against each other defensively, which should be a great motivator for both of their egos.
Jonas Jerebko, GS at CLE ($4,300): Jerebko is a guy that should log significant minutes if this game goes awry, as he can aptly fill Kevin Durant's shoes while Andre Iguodala takes over the Draymond Green spot. He'll likely begin the game at the four, but he has Steve Kerr's vote of confidence, and I think we'll see him at multiple positions in a blowout.
Other forwards to consider: Julius Randle, NO vs. DAL ($7,100), Danilo Gallinari, LAC at MEM ($6,600), Mike Muscala, PHI at TOR ($3,800)
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI at TOR ($10,300): Even though he's torpedoed me a couple of times this season, the Raptors' weakness lies at center, and Embiid is a powerful force to be reckoned with. He lit Toronto up for 54 DKFP in their last meeting, taking advantage of the Raptors' difficulty in defensive rebounding. A Lowry/Leonard/Embiid stack would be difficult to afford, but it would be fun to watch the totals tick up.
Steven Adams, OKC at BKN ($6,700): Jarrett Allen has regressed a bit over the past week, and I think this is an excellent opportunity for Adams to take advantage. When it comes to reliability, Adams is usually as safe as they come, and you can assume he'll be good for 30 DKFP. He'll pop into the 40s occasionally, and with the Nets ranking dead-last against opposing centers, we might see one of those games on Wednesday.
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL vs. WAS ($3,900): As the likely starter at the five, Dedmon could mirror output of players that are a lot more expensive on this slate. Without Dwight Howard, the Wizards have an almost-nightly size disadvantage with their small-ball setup. They haven't been able to adjust adequately without a staple big man, and the recent stat lines of Kanter, Davis Embiid and Capela have shown that they just can't get any traction inside. A double-double at this price would be a great steal, and I'll likely employ it multiple times at the UTIL spot.
Other centers to consider: Marc Gasol, MEM vs. LAC ($8,600), John Collins, ATL vs. WAS ($6,300)
