I’ve been struggling a bit recently, but Tuesday was one of my best days of the year. We always tend to do better on shorter slates, but that’s not what we have here. With that said, I feel like we have some momentum, so let’s dive into this Wednesday card!
After a small slate on Tuesday, we’re looking at a full card here. We have 11 games making up this slate, the most extensive slate of the week. There’s obviously a ton to discuss, so let’s get started with the schedule and odds!
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Schedule and Odds
- ATL at DET (ATL -6) O/U: 225
- SAC at IND (IND -5.5) O/U: 237
- NYK at CHA (CHA -6.5) O/U: 226
- UTA at BOS (BOS -5.5) O/U: 220
- GSW at MIA (MIA -6) O/U: 214.5
- BKN at MEM (BKN -2.5) O/U: 235
- PHX at MIN (PHX -1.5) O/U: 235
- ORL at OKC (ORL -1) O/U: 219
- HOU at DAL (DAL -9) O/U: 226
- PHI at LAL (PHI -7.5) O/U: 229
- SAS at POR (SAS -7.5) O/U: 233.5
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Injury Report
- John Collins (foot) OUT
- Bogdan Bogdanovic (quad) Questionable
- Jerami Grant (knee) Questionable
- Domantas Sabonis (knee) OUT
- Malcolm Brogdon (tanking) Questionable
- Myles Turner (foot) OUT
- Isaiah Jackson (concussion) Questionable
- Derrick Rose (ankle) OUT
- Kemba Walker (rest) OUT
- Gordon Hayward (ankle) OUT
- Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) OUT
- Marcus Smart (illness) Questionable
- Robert Williams (knee) Questionable
- Stephen Curry (ankle) OUT
- Ben Simmons (back) OUT
- LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) OUT
- Andre Drummond (illness) Questionable
- Ja Morant (knee) Questionable
- Chris Paul (hand) OUT
- Cameron Johnson (quad) OUT
- Jae Crowder (ankle) Questionable
- Jaden McDaniels (ankle) OUT
- Jalen Suggs (ankle) Questionable
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (tanking) Questionable
- Josh Giddey (hip) OUT
- Luguentz Dort (shoulder) OUT
- Anthony Davis (foot) OUT
- Damian Lillard (abs) OUT
- Anfernee Simons (quad) OUT
- Jusuf Nurkic (foot) OUT
- Josh Hart (tanking) Questionable
- Luka Doncic (ankle) OUT
Core Plays
Jalen Brunson (PG – DAL): $6,700 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
With Doncic missing this game and Porzingis playing in Washington, it will be up to Brunson to run the show. He’s averaging nearly 40 DK points per game when Luka has sat out this season, dominating the Mavs usage. It looks like it’s going to be up to Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie to run things, and both guys are about $1,500 too cheap in these expanded roles. Not to mention, Houston ranks dead-last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.
Devin Booker (PG/SG – PHX): $9,300 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel
Much like Doncic, Booker has stumbled into a massive role. The absences of CP3 and Cam Johnson have left Booker with the bulk of the offense, generating a 33 percent usage rate while taking over 25 shots a night in this expanded role. That led to Book scoring at least 40 DK points in 12 of his last 13 games, generating a 49-point average in that span. We love that against Minnesota, with the Timberwolves playing at the fastest pace in the NBA. He has at least 47 fantasy points in their two matchups this season.
Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $11,000 DraftKings, $11,000 FanDuel
Joel got a rest day on Monday, which should have him ready to go here. The big man has at least 40 DK points in 55 of 58 games this season, averaging nearly 60 fantasy points per game. That makes him tough to fade against the Lakers, with LA ranked fifth in pace and 25th in total defense. In their last matchup, Embiid collected 26 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Cash Game Considerations
Dejounte Murray (PG – SAS): $10,300 DraftKings, $10,100 FanDuel
Murray has been one of the best cash game options in fantasy all season long. His stat-stuffing ways are the main reason why, with Dejounte scoring at least 34 fantasy points in all but four games this season. He’s been even better recently, generating a 54-point average over his last 24 games played. That’s terrible news for this putrid Portland defense, with the Trail Blazers ranked 27th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency.
Julius Randle (PF/C – NYK): $9,400 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
We had Randle in this section on Tuesday, and we’re going right back to the well. The big man has been going off in the absence of Rose and Walker, scoring at least 41 fantasy points in 20 of his last 21 games. He’s also flirting with a 50-point average in that span, stuffing the stat sheet at ease. Getting to face Charlotte is sensational, too, with the Hornets ranked third in pace, 23rd in defensive efficiency, and 28th in points allowed. If Randle is ruled out, go ahead and pivot to Obi Toppin below $4K.
Davion Mitchell (PG – SAC): $5,200 DraftKings, $4,600 FanDuel
It looks like Fox and Sabonis will miss this game, likely making Davion the starting point guard in Sacramento. In this role on Sunday, DM dropped 47 DK points across 46 minutes of action. He did that damage against an elite Phoenix defense, and things should be much easier here. Getting to face Indiana is incredible, with the Pacers ranked 24th in points allowed and 26th in defensive efficiency.
GPP Targets
Jalen Smith (PF/C – IND): $6,200 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
It’s been a nightmarish season for the Pacers but landing Smith from the Suns was an absolute steal. The Myles Turner injury and Sabonis trade have really opened up the door for Jalen to go off, scoring at least 23 DraftKings points in 12 straight games. He’s also averaging 30 fantasy points per game, seeing his minutes rise, the more he becomes accustomed to his new team. Getting to face the Kings is the icing on the cake, though, with Sacramento sitting 29th in points allowed and 28th in defensive efficiency.
Clint Capela (C – ATL): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
Capela has been inconsistent at times this season, but he’s been a stud whenever John Collins has been sidelined. He’s playing nearly 30 minutes a game in those circumstances, falling just shy of a 40-point average. That’s amazing from a $6K player, especially since he faces a Pistons team that’s surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.
Jordan Poole (PG/SG – GSW): $7,600 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel
We weren’t exactly sure who would be running things in Golden State with Curry sidelined, but everything tells us that it’s Poole. He’s leading the team with a 31 percent usage rate when Steph is off the floor, averaging 35 fantasy points per game in the seven meetings he’s missed. His volatility makes him tough to trust, but we could be looking at a Golden State team that’s resting even more players in the second half of a back-to-back set.
Value Plays
Damian Jones (C – SAC): $3,700 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
Man, this Sacramento frontcourt has been shredded by injuries. They already ruled out Richaun Holmes for the season and just lost Sabonis for the next few weeks as well. That means Jones will likely start and play a 30-minute role. Looking at the six games DJ has played at least 27 minutes, he’s averaging 29 DK points per game. If you get that from someone this cheap, you’re way ahead of the pack. Not to mention, he faces a terrible Indiana defense who’s having just as many issues in their frontcourt. If Chimezie Metu starts instead, pivot to him!
Nic Claxton (C – BKN): $4,700 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
With Aldridge and Drummond possibly missing this game, Claxton could be looking at another start. He got one on Monday, providing 34 DK points across 28 minutes of action. He’s been productive for weeks now, scoring at least 21 DK points in six straight outings en route to a 28-point average. That’s amazing from such an affordable player, and they’ll need him to play big minutes to oppose a beast like Steven Adams.
Tyus Jones (PG – MEM): $4,600 DraftKings, $4,300 FanDuel
Tyus always steps up in these circumstances, starting at point guard in the absence of Morant. He’s scored at least 22 DK points in 14 of his 16 starts for Ja this season, posting a 29-point average in that span. He’s quite simply the primary ball-handler when Ja is off the floor, and he’s a near guarantee for 30-35 minutes in this expanded role. He should be able to duplicate that form against the Nets, with Brooklyn ranked 22nd in total defense.
Advantageous Pricing
Jalen Brunson (PG – DAL): $6,700 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
Julius Randle (PF/C – NYK): $9,400 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Damian Jones (C – SAC): $3,700 DraftKings, $4,700 FanDuel
D’Angelo Russell (PG – MIN): $7,200 DraftKings. $6,200 FanDuel
Buddy Hield (SG – IND): $7,700 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
Cole Anthony (PG – ORL): $6,700 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
Tobias Harris (SF/PF – PHI): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
Goga Bitadze (C – IND): $6,200 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.