Buckle up — NBA DFS is officially back, and we’re wasting no time diving into a loaded Wednesday slate. With 12 games on tap starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, there’s no shortage of action or opportunities to gain an edge.
It’s only the second night of the season, which means we’re dealing with fresh legs and some unpredictable rotations. Whether you’re deciding which superstars deserve your salary cap or searching for under-the-radar value, this slate has something for every DFS strategy.
Let’s break it all down and find the spots that can help you climb the leaderboards tonight.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet 
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer
NBA DFS Core Plays
- DraftKings: $11,100
- FanDuel: $11,900
Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines tonight’s slate as the highest-priced player — and it’s hard to argue against it. The two-time MVP is coming off another dominant campaign, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game last season while posting a massive 34.6% usage rate.
Antetokounmpo opens the season in a prime spot against a young Washington Wizards squad that ranked fourth in pace and 28th in defensive rating in 2024-25. The combination of Washington’s uptempo style and porous defense sets up perfectly for Antetokounmpo to stuff the stat sheet and justify his premium salary.
- DraftKings: $10,900
- FanDuel: $11,800
With De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) ruled out for tonight’s contest against the Dallas Mavericks, Victor Wembanyama will be relied on heavily. He was dominant throughout the preseason, leading the San Antonio Spurs with a 31.6% usage rate while averaging 17 points, 8.8 rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks in just 20 minutes per game.
Even in limited action, those numbers underscore his elite per-minute production and the massive ceiling he brings to any slate. San Antonio will need his all-around impact to keep pace with Dallas, and he’s more than capable of delivering in a big way. Wembanyama’s combination of efficiency, volume and defensive stats makes him a strong option in all formats tonight.
- DraftKings: $9,600
- FanDuel: $9,100
With Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant no longer with the Phoenix Suns and Jalen Green (hamstring) sidelined to begin the year, Devin Booker will be the clear focal point of the Suns’ offense. He already carried a significant load last year, averaging 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists with a 28.5% usage rate — numbers that should only rise given the current roster makeup.
Booker has proven he can handle primary playmaking duties while maintaining elite scoring efficiency, and his expanded role should translate into consistent high-volume opportunities. Expect him to dominate the ball early and often, making him one of the most reliable high-upside options on tonight’s slate.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $8,100
- FanDuel: $8,000
Kawhi Leonard enters the season fully healthy and in a strong spot to open the year. He’ll face a Utah Jazz team that played at the sixth-fastest pace and ranked last in defensive rating in 2024-25. While Utah made a few roster changes over the offseason, it remains a young group expected to continue pushing the tempo.
Despite sharing the floor with plenty of offensive talent, Leonard still managed a 28% usage rate last season — and that trend carried into the preseason, where he posted a 27.7% mark over three games. With his efficient scoring and steady workload, Leonard offers a solid floor.
- DraftKings: $6,700
- FanDuel: $6,400
Michael Porter Jr. begins a new chapter with the Brooklyn Nets and is poised for a breakout campaign. He showcased his scoring ability throughout his tenure with the Denver Nuggets, but this season he’ll take on a featured role in the Brooklyn Nets’ offense. That was evident during the preseason, where he posted a 27.1% usage rate — a clear indication that the offense will flow through him.
Porter draws a favorable matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, which ranked 24th in defensive rating last season. His blend of scoring efficiency and expanded opportunity makes him a strong mid-tier DFS option with legitimate upside in what projects to be a fast-paced, high-scoring contest.
- DraftKings: $5,900
- FanDuel: $5,500
Matas Buzelis had an impressive rookie season, particularly in the second half, averaging 13 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks in 26.9 minutes per game. The young forward is poised for a big sophomore campaign and is expected to carry a significant load early in the season with Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) sidelined for at least the next two weeks.
Buzelis is in a prime spot tonight against the Detroit Pistons, as this contest features the third-highest Vegas game total on the slate at 233 points, giving Buzelis plenty of opportunity to rack up counting stats and provide strong value.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $8,300
- FanDuel: $7,400
Ja Morant has been managing an ankle sprain throughout the preseason but is cleared to play in tonight’s contest against the New Orleans Pelicans. While some caution is warranted given he hasn’t logged any preseason minutes, Morant remains a strong GPP target thanks to his upside and price.
Morant will be relied on heavily early in the season with Ty Jerome (calf) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) sidelined. Adding to the appeal, this matchup carries the highest Vegas game total on the slate at 236.5 points, giving Morant ample opportunity to rack up stats.
- DraftKings: $6,200
- FanDuel: $6,400
The Boston Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum (Achilles) for an extended period, which means Derrick White is expected to carry a significant offensive load in his absence. White showcased his capability during the preseason, posting a 27.4% usage rate across three games while averaging 21.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and seven assists in 27.9 minutes per contest.
Tonight, White faces the Philadelphia 76ers, which will be without Paul George (knee) and will feature Joel Embiid in his first regular-season game since February. With potential defensive lapses early, White is well-positioned to take advantage, making him a strong DFS option with both high floor and upside potential.
- DraftKings: $5,500
- FanDuel: $6,100
After a down year in 2024-25, Nic Claxton is poised for a bounce-back season. In four preseason games, he averaged 10 points, 8.8 rebounds and three assists in just 21.2 minutes per game, showing efficiency and versatility.
Claxton faces the Charlotte Hornets, which ranked among the top 10 teams last season in fantasy points allowed to centers. This favorable matchup makes him an appealing play in tournaments.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $7,000
- FanDuel: $4,500
Quentin Grimes is strictly a FanDuel play, coming in underpriced relative to his upside. He had a tremendous second half of the 2024-25 season with the Philadelphia 76ers while the team battled numerous injuries, averaging 22.7 points, five rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
While similar numbers aren’t expected now that the 76ers are healthy, Grimes showed he can still contribute off the bench during the preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In that game, with all healthy players available, he recorded 22 points, two rebounds, five assists and three steals. Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench, Grimes is expected to see significant minutes, making him a strong option on FanDuel.
- DraftKings: $3,000
- FanDuel: $6,100
P.J. Washington is strictly a DraftKings play and projects to be one of the highest-owned players on tonight’s slate. Even with Cooper Flagg now with the Dallas Mavericks, Washington is expected to see significant playing time, whether as a starter or off the bench.
Washington comes off a 2024-25 campaign in which he averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, showcasing his all-around production. On top of that, he faces the San Antonio Spurs, which ranked 25th in defensive rating last season.
- DraftKings: $3,800
- FanDuel: $4,700
Guerschon Yabusele is expected to see an expanded role early in the season for the New York Knicks with Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Josh Hart (back) ruled out, while Karl-Anthony Towns (quad) is listed as questionable.
Regardless of Towns’ status, Yabusele presents a strong value play, particularly on DraftKings, as the Knicks’ frontcourt looks thin and he’s poised to see significant minutes.
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