This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks: All the hype about the Hawks' impressive run seems to focus on their offense. Lost is their impressive defense. Over their past 10 games, they rank in the top five in opponent field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and points per possession. They also rank sixth in fewest free throws allowed. Their biggest statistical weakness is that they rank in the middle third of the league for rebound percentage. And now the Hawks host a floundering Nets squad that's dealing with rumors around trading their star and firing their coach.
Offenses to Use
Washington Wizards at Phoenix Suns: I like the Suns. They are fun, young, upbeat, exciting … and bad at defense. They've struggled to defend the perimeter all season, but they've been even worse lately. Over their past 10 games, only the lowly Timberwolves have allowed opponents to shoot a higher three-point field goal percentage. The Wizards don't attempt many threes, but they are the fourth-most accurate from long range in the league. They are well poised to take advantage of one of the Suns' biggest weaknesses and turn that advantage into better passing lanes and a free-flowing offense. But beware – this recommendation extends to guards and wings only. The Suns' frontcourt is surprisingly effective, and opposing bigs face tougher-than-average fantasy matchups.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks
Second game of a back-to-back: Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Langston Galloway, NY (vs OKC), PG, ($4,300): Not quite the next Linsanity, but something's happening in New York. I've heard it called "Langsanity", and it's a name I'll admit to liking. The undrafted rookie 23-year-old is coming on strong, and is signed through the rest of the season, effective Tuesday. He's flirting with the starting lineup, and his courtship with major minutes is now Facebook-official. Speaking of social media, Galloway's got his own personal subreddit, and it is adorable. Over his last four games, he's averaged 14.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steal, amd 1.8 threes in 32 minutes. He's also worth a flier in season-long leagues.
Other suggestions: John Wall, WAS (at PHO), PG, ($9,200); Andre Miller*, WAS (at PHO), PG, ($3,000)
* Only if John Wall is inactive.
Shooting Guard
J.R. Smith, CLE (vs POR), SG, ($5,000): Before Tuesday's 2-for-11 shooting outing against the Pistons (an average perimeter defense), Smith had posted double-digit points four games in a row, and in six of his last seven. Through all seven games he stayed above 20 fantasy points per night, five times breaking 25, and once reaching all the way to 45.25. Including Tuesday, he is averaging four threes in 31 minutes per night since Iman Shumpert (shoulder) returned to action. Smith is an inconsistent shooter, so off nights like Tuesday come with the territory, but his mentality allows him to play tomorrow without regard for yesterday's results – for better or for worse. His role is stable, and the price is fair.
Other suggestions: Lou Williams, TOR (vs SAC), SG, ($4,700)
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard, SA (vs CHA), SF, ($8,000): Since returning from injury, Leonard has totaled at least 39 fantasy points in four of six outings. He has double-digit scoring in all six, and double-digit rebounds in three. The Hornets rate as favorable opponents for players who produce in rebounds or blocks, which should help Leonard. His likely direct matchup, Michael Kidd-Gilchist, is another good option for Wednesday – he only barely missed my cut for formal mention as an "other suggestion".
Other suggestions: Jerami Grant, PHI (vs DET), SF, ($3,400)
Power Forward
Jason Smith, NY (vs OKC), PF, ($3,800): Recommending this many Knicks and recent-Knicks makes me feel a bit dirty, but DraftKings' prices have done this to me. Smith is riding a five-game streak of 32 or more minutes, with more than 25 fantasy points in four of those. Frankly, his five points, four rebounds, and 15 fantasy points from Saturday just managed to prolong Smith's run as a gigantic discount. He rebounded Tuesday in a big way.
Other suggestions: Greg Monroe, DET (at PHI), PF, ($8,500)
Center
Tyson Chandler, DAL (vs HOU), C, ($6,300): The Wednesday center field is dominated by players who have been drastically inconsistent over the past few weeks. Players like Enes Kanter, who has posted 50, 16, and 25.5 fantasy points over his last three games. When the field gets messy, I turn to old reliables, and Chandler is exactly that. Chandler's per-minute production ranks among the league leaders, and his price is fair for his matchup and recent production. Don't be too afraid of the Rockets – their defense is not as dominant as it was at the start of the season, and Chandler is as good a rebounder as anyone.
Other suggestions: Al Horford, ATL (vs BK), C, ($7,500)
Honorable Mention
Anthony Davis, NO (vs DEN), PF, ($11,000): On nights with a full slate of games, I try to avoid top-dollar players. I think that the payoff doesn't justify the expense on busy nights, when the scores needed to win are typically higher, and more value picks are available. But it is pretty rare that one of those big money players both costs less than their recent average and faces a favorable matchup, and are both the case for Davis on Wednesday. He's one of the more consistent fantasy producers, but his price is down due to what I call the "sweet spot off night" – where an unusually weak performance deflates his price even though he has since returned to normal production.
INJURY REPORT
Out
Shelvin Mack (calf)
Kelly Olynyk (ankle)
Deron Williams (ribs)
Mirza Teletovic (chest)
Kemba Walker (knee)
Bismack Biyombo (knee)
Jannero Pargo (back)
Anderson Varejao (Achilles)
Brandon Jennings (Achilles)
Brendan Haywood (knee)
JaVale McGee (leg)
Terrence Jones (leg)
Kevin Martin (wrist)
Ricky Rubio (ankle)
Robbie Hummel (hand)
Shabazz Muhammad (abdomen)
Jrue Holiday (ankle)
Andrea Bargnani (calf)
Amar'e Stoudemire (ankle)
Joel Embiid (foot)
Andrei Kirilenko (personal)
Tony Wroten (knee)
Jason Richardson (foot)
Joel Freeland (shoulder)
Robin Lopez (hand)
Eric Moreland (shoulder)
Marco Belinelli (groin)
Alec Burks (shoulder)
Game-Time Decision
Evan Turner (thumb) is day-to-day.
Shavlik Randolph (hamstring) is a game-time decision.
Marvin Williams (head) is a game-time decision.
Tyson Chandler (knee) is expected to play Wednesday.
Dwight Howard (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Mo Williams (hip) is questionable.
Carmelo Anthony (rest) is a game-time decision.
Jose Calderon (knee) is a game-time decision.
Kevin Durant (toe) is day-to-day.
Mitch McGary (leg) is a game-time decision.
Michael Carter-Williams (illness) is a game-time decision.
Brandan Wright (heel) is expected to play Wednesday.
Nicolas Batum (wrist) is questionable.
Carl Landry (wrist) is a game-time decision.
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is expected to play.
Jeremy Evans (illness) is a game-time decision.
John Wall (Achilles) is a game-time decision.
Paul Pierce (toe) is questionable.
