There are nine games on Wednesday’s main slate. Some feature teams fighting for a playoff spot, whether that’s getting in or just holding on. There are also eliminated teams, that will start to become less predictable if they go into evaluation mode. Here’s a quick rundown:
- MIL @ CLE: Bucks have clinched, Cavaliers are eliminated
- NO @ ORL: Pelicans are eliminated, Magic are 9th.
- BOS @ PHI: Celtics are 5th, 76ers have clinched.
- UTA @ NY: Jazz are 7th, Knicks are eliminated.
- HOU @ MEM: Rockets are 3rd, Grizzlies are eliminated.
- WAS @ CHI: Wizards are 11th, Bulls are eliminated.
- MIA @ SA: Heat are 8th, Spurs are 5th.
- TOR @ OKC: Raptors have clinched, Thunder are 6th.
- DAL @ POR: Mavericks are eliminated, Blazers are 4th.
This week’s recommendations take these scenarios into account. As usual, they span a range of salaries such that the combined total is less than the FanDuel $60k allowance; this week there is $2,000 to spare.
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Point Guard
Kyrie Irving (BOS): $10,500 @ PHI
While the 76ers have clinched a playoff spot, the Celtics aren’t far behind; they’re effectively in, but will want to get into the top four to have home field for at least the first round. Irving is driving this effort and he’s hardly going to be slowed on a night on which the Celtics can close the gap. In his last three games, Irving has averaged 30.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 2.0 steals.
D.J. Augustin (ORL): $5,500 vs. NO
The Magic sit in 9th place in the east, just a game and a half back of the 8th spot held by the Heat, and on Wednesday will host an already eliminated Pelicans team. Augustin has been a key scorer of late. In his last three games, he has averaged 15.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 0.0 block and 1.3 steals. He and the Magic are motivated and should do well in this one.
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade (MIA): $5,800 @ SA
Wade’s last four games have ranged between 12.7 and 41.3 fantasy points. The good news is that his last game was the high point and the one previous was second best. While suggesting him here may be seen as points chasing, Wade has put up similar numbers in weeks gone by, so it’s not an anomaly. The Heat are currently in 8th place in the east and fighting to hang onto a playoff spot. Expect a strong effort then, and one in line with recent games; in his last two games, Wade has averaged 21.0 points, six rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.5 steals.
David Nwaba (CLE): $3,800 vs. MIL
On Monday Nwaba filled in for Kevin Love (back) for 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal, totaling 30.2 FPTS. Love is questionable for Wednesday and if he plays Nwaba should be left out of lineups; however, if Love sits then Nwaba could generate great value for a bargain price. More will be known after this morning’s shoot-around.
Small Forward
Nikola Mirotic (MIL): $5,000 @ CLE
Mirotic scored 23 points in 24 minutes against a rudderless Lakers team on Tuesday. The Bucks were resting Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) and there’s a solid chance they will rest a regular starter again on Wednesday, for what should be an easy win over the Cavs. Check lineups and use Mirotic if Antetokounmpo remains sidelined or Eric Bledsoe is rested.
Danuel House Jr. (HOU): $3,900 @ MEM
House has seen significant minutes in the Rockets’ last three games and has scored 23 FPTS in each. If Chris Paul or any other start rests on Wednesday, in the second half of the Rockets’ back-to-back, then House warrants consideration as a value play who has been very consistent with the opportunities afforded him. He is averaging 31.3 minutes, 17.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.0 blocks and 0.3 steals.
Power Forward
Bam Adebayo (MIA): $6,300 @ SA
Adebayo has been a solid source of stats across key categories. This is a nice safety net. On Monday he scored just eight points but still put up 27.4 FPTS thanks to contributions in other categories. He has scored double digits in his six previous games and should be able to get back to that on Wednesday.
Marcus Morris (BOS): $5,600 @ PHI
Morris has tapered off lately but is still providing value. He’s due for a rebound, and that could very well come in a game in which the Celtics will be motivated to close the gap on the 76ers. In his last three games, Morris has averaged 17.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 blocks and 1.3 steals.
Center
Joel Embiid (PHI): $11,600 @ BOS
Embiid was rested on Tuesday, so will be fully ready for Wednesday’s big game against the Celtics. The 76ers likely wanted him firing on all cylinders in a key conference game with playoff seeding implications. This is an example of a high salary being completely worth it. Embiid has secured a double-double in his last four games, dropped 40 points on the Bucks on Sunday, and has tallied no less than 51 FPTS in any of these games.
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Jason Micklewright is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyPonder.