NBA Slate Jumps to 12 Games

The NBA schedule swells to 12 games on Wednesday, a sharp increase from the four contests played on Tuesday. This expansion gives daily fantasy players on DraftKings and FanDuel a wider pool of athletes to consider while raising the difficulty of constructing competitive lineups.

Several major stars are expected to suit up, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Nikola Jokic. The roster also features top rookies Caleb Wilson and Yaxel Lendeborg, adding depth to the available player options.

Injuries remove two prominent names from the board. Anthony Edwards and Kawhi Leonard are both out with knee issues. Their absences may force teammates to take on larger roles, potentially creating value plays for fantasy managers looking to stay under salary limits.

Mike McClure, a professional DFS player with over $2 million in career winnings, analyzed the slate using a model that simulates every game 10,000 times. He highlighted Timberwolves point guard LaMelo Ball as a key selection. Ball is priced at $7,700 on DraftKings and $7,900 on FanDuel.

Ball has averaged 14.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 2.0 rebounds since joining Minnesota. With Edwards sidelined for an estimated couple of months, Ball will likely become the team's primary scorer and passer. The Timberwolves face the Warriors, a team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season on both platforms.

McClure also recommended Hawks guard C.J. McCollum, who costs $5,300 on both sites. McCollum scored 20 points on Monday and is shooting 53% from the field and 44% from three-point range. He has scored over 20 points in his last four games against Miami, averaging 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists during that span. The Heat currently allow 121.8 points per game, ranking seventh highest in the league.