The NBA returns with a fully loaded schedule for Wednesday with 12 games on the slate and 24 different rosters to scour. That gives us plenty of options to find the perfect combination of superstar talent and strong value plays. With so many different permutations, it could be difficult to narrow down the optimal lineup in Daily Fantasy Leagues, so here is some important advice to consider for Wednesday’s NBA action.
Weak Defense To Target: Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has been pretty good early on this season with young stars like Andrew Wiggins and rookie Karl-Anthony Towns leading the way but as is the case with many young teams, defense is a problem. One of the areas where the Timberwolves have struggled is protecting the basket as they rank 24th in the NBA with an average of 103.5 points per game allowed. The Timberwolves hosted the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday before visiting the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, so the travel combined with their below average play at their own end of the floor overall this season makes Minnesota’s defense worth targeting. Look at players like Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Arron Afflalo as decent options for the Knicks.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers have struggled following an offseason purge of their roster but Lillard hasn’t missed a step. He is now the unquestioned leader of the team and he’s absolutely on fire of late. The veteran point guard has averaged 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.5 three-point shots per game over the past week of action and those numbers are good enough to rival LeBron James and Kevin Durant among the best in the NBA over that span. Oklahoma City is allowing an average of 100.7 points per game this season, so while Portland probably won’t beat the Thunder on Wednesday night, Lillard should stay hot with another strong performance.
Injuries & Rest Create Opportunities For… Raymond Felton, O.J. Mayo
The Dallas Mavericks have opted to pair Felton with Deron Williams in their backcourt and the results have been pretty good so far – if you can believe that. No, they aren’t going to be a championship contender with this tandem but they are a useful pairing for fantasy as both players have been putting up decent numbers of late. Felton has capitalized on the opportunity by averaging 12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 three-point shots per game over the last week of action. If his stat line can come close to those averages on Wednesday night when he faces the Indiana Pacers then it will make him an outstanding value play.
Meanwhile, Jerryd Bayless has been ruled out for the Milwaukee Bucks’ four-game road trip and that means he won’t be available for Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. O.J. Mayo has thrived in a starting role since Bayless was hurt, including 13.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game over the last week of action. He should deliver another strong performance against the Clippers as another bargain play based on the opportunity he has been presented.
Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: PHX @ GS
The Golden State Warriors are no longer undefeated but they will be eager to get back on track at home against a Phoenix Suns side that has the potential to put up some decent point totals as well. Both teams rank in the top-five in points per game this season, so look for this to be the highest scoring game of the night. Stephen Curry is an excellent option to build your Daily Fantasy League roster around as he looks to put on a show for Dub City on Wednesday night. Draymond Green is another solid option for the Warriors while Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight should have strong performances for Phoenix.
