The NBA schedule for Wednesday is loaded with 12 games on the slate and that means plenty of options to choose from when it comes to building the optimal lineup for Daily Fantasy Leagues. Here is a look at some important advice to keep in mind when building your ideal lineup for Wednesday night in the association.
Weak Defense To Target: New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are coming off consecutive wins over the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns but they allowed 116 points in their latest victory and could be vulnerable on the road for the rematch with Phoenix on Wednesday night. New Orleans has allowed an average of 108.9 points per game this season and other than the 90 points they allowed to San Antonio last Friday, they’ve giving up 100 or more in all but one other game. That means there will be a couple of Suns’ players worth targeting for big performances as they try to bounce back on their home floor. Phoenix is currently third in the NBA in points per game (104.9) and are even better when they’re on their home floor (106.9).
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant returned to action for the Thunder on Monday but Westbrook showed no signs of slowing down with 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and a steal against the Utah Jazz. It was actually just a so-so night for him – if you can believe that –as he normally adds a couple of threes and more steals too. Westbrook has averaged 32.0 points, 8.8 assists, 7.0 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.0 three-point shots per game over the last week of action. Even with Durant back for Oklahoma City, there is every reason to consider Westbrook a player that is hot right now and worth building a fantasy lineup around on Wednesday.
Injuries & Rest Create Opportunities For…: Bismack Biyombo, Kris Humphries
The Toronto Raptors will be without starting center Jonas Valanciunas for about six weeks because of a fracture in his left hand and that should create an opportunity for Bismack Biyombo to seize a bigger role. Biyombo hasn’t been a fantasy-relevant player for the Raptors this season but he had six points and a team-high 14 rebounds starting in place of Valanciunas against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. He should give your team a decent amount of rebounds, the occasional block and also help out with field goal percentage. He could be worth taking a flier on as a sleeper value play at a lower cost.
Meanwhile, Washington Wizards’ forward Nene is coming off his best performance of the season but he missed practice on Tuesday because of a sore left calf. He actually played on Tuesday but came off the bench. Considering it’s a back-to-back set for the Wizards, keep an eye on whether Nene gets the night off. If so, that would mean more minutes for Kris Humphries and the opportunity to bounce back with a better performance. He struggled against the Indiana Pacers in his last outing.
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Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: NO @ PHX
The Pelicans and Suns combined for 238 points the other night and there is every reason to expect another high scoring game with New Orleans looking to overcome their defensive shortcomings with another offensive explosion. Anthony Davis had 32 points and 19 rebounds in that meeting and if his price tag is too high, it might be worth considering some auxiliary parts. Look at Ryan Anderson, who had 29 points, five rebounds and four three-point shots off the bench for the Pelicans. Meanwhile, Eric Bledsoe had a team-high 29 points for the Suns but could miss Wednesday’s game with a knee injury, so someone like Brandon Knight and Markieff Morris are two players that could have big performances against New Orleans on Wednesday night.
