NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday (12/13)

Tuesday was an interesting slate, and I’m excited to dive into this Wednesday card! We have nine games making up this Wednesday card and some great matchups to dissect. There’s plenty to discuss, so let’s look at the schedule and odds!

View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer:

Schedule and Odds

• PHI at DET (PHI -11.5) O/U: 232.5
• NOP at WAS (NOP -7.5) O/U: 241
• CHA at MIA (MIA -8.5) O/U: 224.5
• ATL at TOR (TOR -2.5) O/U: 239
• MEM at HOU (HOU -6.5) O/U: 213.5
• IND at MIL (MIL -6) O/U: 259.5
• LAL at SAS (LAL -4.5) O/U: 229
• BKN at PHX (PHX -3) O/U: NA
• NYK at UTA (NYK -5.5) O/U: 227.5

Check out our consensus game odds and the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros.

Injury Report

• LaMelo Ball (ankle) OUT
• Kevin Durant (ankle) Questionable
• Bam Adebayo (hip) OUT
• Tyler Herro (ankle) OUT
• Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) Questionable
• Zion Williamson (ankle) Questionable
• John Collins (illness) Questionable
• Ben Simmons (back) OUT
• Jalen Duren (ankle) OUT
• Walker Kessler (elbow) Questionable
• Mark Williams (back) Doubtful
• De’Andre Hunter (knee) Questionable
• Marcus Smart (ankle) OUT
• Daniel Gafford (ankle) Questionable
• Mitchell Robinson (ankle) OUT

Core Plays

Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,000 DraftKings, $11,400 FanDuel
We’re concerned that AD might sit in this back-to-back set, but we need to use him if he’s out there. Davis has established one of the highest ceilings in the NBA, scoring at least 50 DraftKings points in 17 of 23 games. That doesn’t even include his ridiculous In-Season Championship showing, providing 41 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks in one of the performances of the season. That’s scary for San Antonio, sitting 25th in defensive efficiency and 28th in points allowed.

Terry Rozier (PG/SG – CHA): $8,500 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel
Scary Terry has been tremendous since taking over this offense in the absence of LaMelo Ball. That’s allowed Rozier to run the show in Charlotte, scoring at least 46 DraftKings points in five straight fixtures. He’s also averaging nearly 55 fantasy points per game in that span and dropped 60 DK points in a matchup with Miami on Monday.

Zion Williamson (PF/C – NOP): $7,900 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel
Zion has been frustrating at times this season, but it’s difficult to overlook his upside games. Williamson scored 49 DraftKings points in his most recent outing and had his season average above 40 DK points per game before a bad week at the end of last month. His biggest asset here is the matchup with Washington, ranked last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency while surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing forwards.

Cash Game Considerations

Joel Embiid (C – PHI): $11,800 DraftKings, $12,600 FanDuel
It’s hard to believe what Embiid is doing right now. The big man took down MVP honors last season, but he’s averaging 63 DK points per game this year. Joel has scored at least 61 DraftKings points in seven straight outings, averaging nearly 70 DraftKings points per game in that span. That’s absurd, and there’s no chance Detroit will slow him down, surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers. He had 61 fantasy points against them in their last matchup a month ago.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $11,400 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel
Giannis struggled in his first few weeks with Damian Lillard, but he’s playing like an MVP right now. The Greek Freak has scored at least 58 DraftKings points in seven consecutive outings, showcasing a 69-point upside in six of his last 15 games! That could be in play against the Pacers, playing at the fastest pace in the NBA while ranked 29th in points allowed. That was on full display when Antetokounmpo amassed 54 points and 12 rebounds against them earlier in the year!

Alperen Sengun (C – HOU): $8,900 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel
Sengun has stepped into an All-Star player, running the Rockets offense out of the center position. This usage has led to Sengun scoring at least 36 DraftKings points in 12 of his last 13 games, averaging over 40 fantasy points per game in that span. Memphis used to be a terrifying matchup, but they can’t slow down any centers with Steven Adams injured.

GPP Targets

Duncan Robinson (SG/SF – MIA): $6,000 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
D-Rob is having a revival season in Miami, and he should continue to thrive with Tyler Herro injured. That’s led to Robinson playing 35 minutes while taking 15-20 shots a game. That role has led to Robinson scoring at least 32 DK points in eight of his last 12 outings, dropping 43 or more fantasy points in two of his previous three games. One of those was against Charlotte, sitting 29th in defensive efficiency ratings.

Khris Middleton (SF – MIL): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel
We were waiting for Middleton to get a full allotment of minutes, and it feels like we’re finally there. He’s played 30 and 33 minutes in his two most recent outings, scoring at least 39 fantasy points in both of those. That’s the stud we saw in the past, and Mid was an $8K player in a 35-minute role just two years ago. With the minutes climbing, the price needs to rise as well. Not to mention, Indiana owns a 27th OPRK against opposing forwards.

Isaiah Hartenstein (PF/C – NYK): $5,000 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
With Mitchell Robinson injured, Hartenstein has stepped into a prominent role for the Knicks. The big man is still coming off the bench, but he played 27 minutes in the most recent game. Hartenstein has also scored 29 and 35 DraftKings points in his two most recent games and could be a 40-point player in a 30-minute role. It’s not like Utah worries us, ranked 26th in defensive efficiency and 24th in points allowed.

Value Plays

De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – PHI): $6,300 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
Melton got off to a slow start, but he’s been excellent over the last month. The stat-stuffing guard has scored at least 26 DraftKings points in 12 of his previous 13 outings, generating a 34-point average in that span. He’s stepping up with James Harden out of town, and we didn’t even mention that Detroit is allowing the most fantasy points to opposing guards.

OG Anunoby (SG/SF – TOR): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
OG has been frustrating at times this year, but he’s one of the best defenders in the league and is locked into 35-40 minutes a night. That role has led to Anunoby scoring 41 and 47 DK points in two of his last three games. We were waiting for this defensive stud to get rolling, which appears to be the case. It should continue against Atlanta, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wings while ranked 27th in total defense.

Orlando Robinson (C – MIA): $5,600 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel
As long as Bam Adebayo remains out, Robinson needs to be utilized. O-Rob has been Miami’s starting center in his absence, averaging 31 DK points per game across his last four starts. It’s scary to think what that could look like across 30 minutes, especially since Charlotte surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing centers last year!

Advantageous Pricing

• Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,000 DraftKings, $11,400 FanDuel
• Isaiah Hartenstein (PF/C – NYK): $5,000 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
• James Wiseman (C – DET): $5,200 DraftKings, $4,000 FanDuel
• Victor Wembanyama (PF/C – SAS): $8,800 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
• Jordan Goodwin (PG/SG – PHX): $5,500 DraftKings, $4,600 FanDuel

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