We’ve got another packed night in the Association with a 10-game slate headlined by the Bucks/Rockets game that will feature two of the league’s best going at it in Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden. Of the 10 Wednesday night games, only four have over/unders higher than 220: Cavaliers/Pelicans (221.5), Bucks/Rockets (225.5), 76ers/Wizards (226), and Hawks/Nets (227). Those will be the games to focus on because of the projected high scores, and two of the matchups (Cavaliers/Pelicans, Hawks/Nets) feature four teams ranked in the bottom-10 in defensive efficiency, which should lead to some high scores.
Here are the players I like most in tonight’s games. While you can’t play all of them, any of these guys will make fine additions to your DraftKings lineups. There are some great cheap upside plays at small forward and center. Good luck!
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Point Guard
Austin Rivers (PG/SG – HOU): $4,500 vs. MIL
Rivers has filled in nicely as the Rockets’ starting point guard over the last four games with both Chris Paul (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (knee) out. He will draw the start again on Wednesday in what will likely be a shootout between two high-scoring teams. He’s averaging 41 minutes and 24 DK points per game in his recent stint in the starting five. Fire him up for a cheap option at the point.
We’ve got another packed night in the Association with a 10-game slate headlined by the Bucks/Rockets game that will feature two of the league’s best going at it in Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden. Of the 10 Wednesday night games, only four have over/unders higher than 220: Cavaliers/Pelicans (221.5), Bucks/Rockets (225.5), 76ers/Wizards (226), and Hawks/Nets (227). Those will be the games to focus on because of the projected high scores, and two of the matchups (Cavaliers/Pelicans, Hawks/Nets) feature four teams ranked in the bottom-10 in defensive efficiency, which should lead to some high scores.
Here are the players I like most in tonight’s games. While you can’t play all of them, any of these guys will make fine additions to your DraftKings lineups. There are some great cheap upside plays at small forward and center. Good luck!
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
Point Guard
Austin Rivers (PG/SG – HOU): $4,500 vs. MIL
Rivers has filled in nicely as the Rockets’ starting point guard over the last four games with both Chris Paul (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (knee) out. He will draw the start again on Wednesday in what will likely be a shootout between two high-scoring teams. He’s averaging 41 minutes and 24 DK points per game in his recent stint in the starting five. Fire him up for a cheap option at the point.
Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – UTA): $7,300 vs. ORL
Ricky Rubio (hamstring) will be out at least two weeks, and Mitchell will handle an even heavier load than usual in his absence, possibly playing some time at the point. For that reason and because he can be played in either G spot, I’ve included him as a PG play rather than a SG play. He’s averaging 39 minutes and 40 DK points in his last two contests and gets a matchup with the Magic, who are allowing over 44 DK points to the point guard position this season.
Also consider: Jeremy Lin @ BKN, Shabazz Napier vs. ATL
Shooting Guard
James Harden (PG/SG – HOU): $12,200 vs. MIL
I always try to get Harden into my lineups when he’s playing, and tonight is no exception. There’s not much more that can be said of Harden’s Herculean performances this season. He’s sporting a 37.5% usage rate, which comfortably leads all qualifying players, and Houston’s offense will continue to run through him while Paul remains out. He’s cooled off in his last two after averaging an unbelievable 82.0 DK points in three games prior, but Harden is still pouring in nearly 60 DK PPG, making him worth his hefty price tag. Get #12 into your lineup and build around him as he faces Giannis and the Bucks in the evening’s marquee matchup. Fear the Beard!
D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG – BKN): $7,600 vs. ATL
Featured in this article last week, Russell put on a show against the Pelicans on January 2, going for 22 points and matching a season-high with 13 assists. His 55.8 DK points were his second most this season, and he followed that performance with games of 46.0 and 44.5 DK points before delivering a dud on Monday. Russell and the Nets have been surprisingly successful this season, and I’ll certainly plug the former Buckeye into my lineup again as he faces a poor Atlanta defense.
Also consider: Malcolm Brogdon @ HOU, Jordan Clarkson @ NO
Small Forward
Furkan Korkmaz (SG/SF – PHI): $3,600 @ WAS
Due to injuries in Philly’s backcourt, Korkmaz has started in three straight games. With J.J. Redick (back) a GTD tonight, Korkmaz could be in for another solid workload in the second game of a home-and-home with the Wizards. He’s averaging just under 28 minutes and 23 DK points in his last three games and at this price, he’s a smart value play.
Evan Turner (SG/SF – POR): $3,900 vs. CHI
Turner is in a great spot tonight with a home matchup against the Bulls, who are surely headed to the draft lottery after the season ends. He’ll get the start with Moe Harkless (knee) already ruled out. Turner has been productive as of late, averaging 10.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game in his last three while shooting 55 percent from the field. In that same span, he’s averaging 24.4 DK points. Turner is a super cheap play with upside.
Also consider: Bojan Bogdanovic @ BOS, DeAndre’ Bembry @ BKN
Power Forward
John Collins (PF/C – ATL): $7,200 @ BKN
Collins has been fantastic this season, averaging 18.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 36.4 DK points per game. He faces a Brooklyn defense allowing the most points to the PF/C position. At only $7,200, he needs to be in your lineups.
Blake Griffin (PF/C – DET): $9,000 @ LAL
Griffin will take on the short-handed Lakers tonight in Los Angeles. It’s his first game of the season at Staples Center, an arena he knows well from his years as a Clipper, and he should be productive in this one. He’s averaging 46.2 DK points per game thanks to spectacular scoring (25.3 points per game) and solid rebounding (8.5) and assists (5.2) averages.
Also consider: Richaun Holmes @ DAL, Josh Jackson @ DAL
Center
Tristan Thompson (C – CLE): $6,000 @ NO
Since returning from a three-week absence, Thompson has been a solid contributor for the Cavaliers. He’s averaging 12 points and 12 rebounds in his last two games, also contributing seven assists, three blocks, and two steals in that same span. In those games, he’s averaging just over 38 DK points. The Pelicans are a middle-of-the-road matchup for opposing big men and with multiple injuries in Cleveland’s frontcourt, Thompson should be in line for 30+ minutes and return over 5x value.
Jarrett Allen (C-BKN): $5,800 vs. ATL
In four games since January 1, Allen is averaging nearly 12 points and 10 boards. He’s been active defensively, racking up seven blocks and three steals in those games, and he’s gone for at least 30 DK points in three of his last four games. The Hawks allow the eighth-most DK points to opposing centers at 58.25, making Allen a cheap play at his position with a lot of upside.
Also consider: Jusuf Nurkic vs. CHI, Jakob Poeltl @ MEM
Dirt Cheap Bonus
Ian Mahinmi (C – WAS): $3,500 vs. PHI
Mahinmi has seen an increased run in his last five games. He’s totaled over 30 DK points in two straight, including last night’s matchup with Philly—his matchup again tonight. Mahinmi has contributed in multiple statistical categories, handing out five assists last night and recording two blocks in four straight contests. He’s dirt cheap and could be in for another solid outing on a Wizards team still searching for playmakers.
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Zachary Hanshew is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.