We have eight NBA games available for Wednesday's slate, and I'll be rolling out my favorite selection for FanDuel's vast array of contests. Action begins at 7:00 p.m. ET, and we'll start our search by exploring some elite players who might see a downturn in minutes due to opponent quality. We'll also have a number of blue-chippers like Joel Embiid and Domantas Sabonis out of action, and both scenarios will reap value on their rosters and exploitable situations for the opposition.
SLATE OVERVIEW
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INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Wednesday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
PHI Joel Embiid (knee) - DOUBTFUL
PHI Paul George (rest) - OUT
PHI Kelly Oubre (knee) - OUT
George will rest due to the back-to-back set, which should be a common occurrence in the coming weeks. Although Oubre would be a massive benefit in those spots, he isn't available tonight. We'll likely see plenty of Dominick Barlow ($4,800) and Justin Edwards ($4,100) in the contest, and the center spot will be in safe hands with Andre Drummond ($6,200) if Embiid is ruled out.
CLE Darius Garland (toe) - OUT
CLE Sam Merrill (hand) - QUESTIONABLE
If Merrill is unable to play, the Cavs could take a couple of different avenues. Either Craig Porter ($3,200) or Lonzo Ball ($4,700) to the starting lineup, or they may slide the starters over and go with Dean Wade ($3,800) to create a taller set against the Rockets. I'd wait until lineup lock for this spot.
GSW Stephen Curry (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Curry continued to play despite a tweaked ankle and could take a night off due to the quick turnaround. Brandin Podziemski ($6,000) would be the logical pivot, but it's best to wait and determine Curry's status first.
MIA Bam Adebayo (toe) - OUT
Adebayo will be out once again, so Kel'el Ware ($6,500) will continue to serve as the top replacement in the paint.
NOP Zion Williamson (hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
NOP Saddiq Bey (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
If both of these tags hold, the Pels will put Yves Missi ($4,000) back into the lineup and likely move Derik Queen ($5,200) to the four spot.
WAS Alex Sarr (toe) QUESTIONABLE
A pivot is tough to nail down at this spot, as Marvin Bagley and Tristan Vukcevic would cancel each other out if Sarr is sidelined. It's best just to pass on this opportunity.
Jaden McDaniels (wrist) - QUESTIONABLE
Naz Reid ($5,300) is the obvious add if McDaniels is out, but he may still try to give it a go tonight.
SAC Domantas Sabonis (knee) -OUT
Drew Eubanks ($4,200) will assume the role at center while Sabonis rests on the back-to-back.
ELITE PLAYERS
Three players sit atop the player pool with five-figure salaries, and some of the situations are intriguing to ponder. Can we trust in three dependable quarters from Nikola Jokic ($12,800) against the dreadful Pelicans? He managed a triple-double when he last played them, but scored only 21 points in 28 minutes. I also share a similar concern for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,000) against the Kings. He scored 30 points in his last game against the Kings but failed to break 30 minutes. Sometimes we have to find insignificant wrinkles to justify fades at the top, so Tyrese Maxey ($10,000) ends up making the most sense for me after seeing my way around the top two.
We have some easier choices further down the list, beginning with the $9k tier. I'm a big fan of Anthony Edwards ($9,300), as he'll assume a larger role against Washington if McDaniels is ruled out. I like him in either scenario, however. Among the 12 people in the $8k tier, Evan Mobley ($8,500) stands out as the best salary to target, but I also like Kevin Durant ($8,200) on the other side of this matchup.
Also consider: Karl-Anthony Towns, NYK ($9,900) @ DAL
EXPECTED CHALK AND MID-RANGE TARGETS
Chet Holmgren, OKC ($7,200) vs. SAC
Sabonis's absence creates an exploitable spot for the Thunder, and I am singling out Holmgren over Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,700) because I may elect to go lower with Drummond at his position. Holmgren's salary is also hard to beat at this level, and his recent production has been very encouraging.
Andrew Wiggins, MIA ($6,400) vs. GSW
Revenge game, anyone? It's too bad this game isn't in San Francisco, as the revenge element won't be as strong in Miami. Either way, Wiggins is due for a bounce-back, and he's intimately familiar with how Steve Kerr runs things. He was a great defensive specialist during his tenure with Golden State, but he's become a top point producer for Miami, especially amid numerous roster absences.
Kyshawn George, WAS ($6,300) @ MIN
There isn't much to like about this Wizards team, but it's hard to resist this salary for George. He's a cinch to beat 5x value at this salary, and the T-Wolves could be a step slower at his position if Jaden McDaniels is out. It's hard to say who will line up against him if Sarr is out of the lineup, but I'm still willing to take a shot with him.
VJ Edgecombe, PHI ($6,200) vs. TOR
I'll be forced to move off Edgecombe once Paul George returns for good, but I'll load up on him while George rests and Oubre is still out of action. He should settle around 5x value at this salary, but he has the upside to go much higher.
Rudy Gobert, MIN ($6,100) vs. WAS
Julius Randle is fine, but I'd rather take the lower salary and go with Gobert, who may be able to exploit a platoon of backups against the Wizards tonight. Alex Sarr is trending toward an absence, and that's nothing but good news for Gobert, who could easily record a double-double in this spot.
VALUE PLAYS
We have several value opportunities in the injury report, but here's a list of sub-$6k players I would consider to keep your rosters below the salary cap.
- PG/SG Collin Sexton, CHA ($5,300)
- SF/PF Cameron Johnson, DEN ($4,300)
- PG/SG Reed Sheppard, HOU ($5,200)
