The second half of the NBA fantasy season continues with an absolutely loaded slate for Wednesday night. Two-thirds of the league’s teams will be in action. That means plenty of options to choose from when it comes to building a roster for Daily Fantasy Leagues as you look for the perfect combination of star performers and sleeper value options. Here is some important advice to consider for Wednesday’s NBA fantasy action.
Weak Defense To Target: Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of a handful of franchises that actually prefer to lose this season and their eight victories are three less the Los Angeles Lakers for the fewest in the NBA this season. It should be no surprise that the 76ers ranks 26th in the NBA in defense with an average of 106.1 points allowed per game this season, but it certainly makes them worth targeting again on Wednesday night when they visit the Detroit Pistons. Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond have been very consistent for the Pistons all season, but the best bet for Wednesday might be a strong sleeper option in the form of Tobias Harris, who was recently acquired from the Orlando Magic. Harris has averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals over his last two games with Detroit and is available at a very reasonable price for Wednesday night’s game against Philadelphia.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets will be in tough against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but one player we are willing to bank on for a strong performance is Walker. Charlotte’s top NBA fantasy star has been incredibly consistent and they will need him to step up big time when they clash with LeBron James and company on Wednesday night. Walker has averaged 26.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 three-point shots, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game over the last week of action. Looking further back, this is a player who has scored at least 25 points in four straight games and is averaging 25.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.3 threes and 2.0 steals in February. Believe it or not but those numbers make him one of the most valuable NBA fantasy commodities in that time. He does have a tough matchup against Cleveland on Wednesday but he had 18 against them the last time he faced them. Somebody needs to score for Charlotte and Walker is a safe bet to do that as he’s got the hot hand.
Injuries, Rest Create Opportunities For… Lance Stephenson, Shabazz Muhammad
The Memphis Grizzlies are the latest team to take a chance on Lance Stephenson and his early numbers since the trade suggests it could be a strong fit. Stephenson has averaged 16.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game since joining the Grizzlies and he will have the opportunity to top those averages across the board with the Los Angeles Lakers in town on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to give Shabazz Muhammad every opportunity to prove his worth and he has delivered with some decent fantasy lines of late. Muhammad has averaged 15.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 three-point shots per game over the last week of action and could be worth taking a chance on as a deeper sleeper option with the Timberwolves set to visit the Toronto Raptors.
Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: OKC @ DAL
Only the Golden State Warriors have scored more points than the Oklahoma City Thunder this season and they should be bound for another high scoring game when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook remain solid options to build around if you can afford them, but it’s also worth considering Steven Adams as a decent value option based on this matchup. Meanwhile, Deron Williams has really stepped up of late for the Mavericks with 20.0 points, 7.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 three-point shots per game over the last week of action. However, if you don’t trust him then you might want to consider J.J. Barea as a decent sleeper value option in what should be a high scoring affair.
