Wednesday is often one of the best days for NBA DFS, and this week is no different with 11 games on the slate. While the Cavaliers vs. Celtics is arguably the Game of the Night from a real-life perspective, nothing comes close to the Rockets vs. Clippers matchup for fantasy potential. These teams combined for 256 points when they met in December, and that was without Chris Paul in the lineup. With Houston averaging 126.3 points per game since the addition of Lou Williams, and with the Clippers back at full strength, there's no surprise that this game features the highest over/under of the night at 232 points. In other important fantasy news around the Association, DeMarcus Cousins will serve a one-game suspension, making it like old times for Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis, while the Raptors continue life without Kyle Lowry. Kenneth Faried, Wes Matthews and Michael Beasley are also out, while injuries to Aaron Gordon and Wily Hernangomez have them both listed as questionable. For DFS purposes, one of the most intriguing games on the slate is Brooklyn vs. Sacramento. The Nets, who rank first in the NBA in pace and third-to-last in defensive rating, are always a team to target, but the Kings have had one of the most difficult rotations to predict since the departure of Cousins. As such, there are a number of different potential value picks in Sacramento, but pretty much everyone on the roster comes with a risk. With all of that in mind, you can click through the gallery for my ideal DraftKings lineup, or you can read here for more NBA DFS strategy. (Getty)
PG: Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans
Opponent: vs. Detroit Pistons
Price: $6,900
Jrue Holiday in the 13 games prior to the Pelicans acquiring DeMarcus Cousins: 21.8 points, 2.0 threes, 8.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals and a 26.3 usage percentage. Holiday in the three games with Cousins in the lineup: 10.0 points, 0.7 threes, 6.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals and a 22.7 usage percentage. After rising as high as $8,800 when he was thriving without Cousins, Holiday has now dipped nearly $2,000, making him an excellent value pick with his new teammate suspended on Wednesday night. (Getty)
SG: Austin Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers
Opponent: vs. Houston Rockets
Price: $4,400
Rivers scored just five points (and 7.75 DraftKings points) in 20 minutes his last time out, which makes him an intriguing low-ownership GPP play. While many will be quick to blame the lack of production on the return of Chris Paul, foul trouble had more to do with it. Rivers played 27 minutes and scored 23 points against the Spurs in Paul's first game back, so he's certainly capable of producing next to the All-Star point guard, and this projected shootout is the perfect setting for his offensive skill set. (Getty)
SF: Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Opponent: vs. Denver Nuggets
Price: $5,500
Middleton has been brought along slowly in his return from a torn hamstring, but he played 28 minutes in his last game and should see an increased offensive role with Michael Beasley out. It's also a favorable matchup, as the Nuggets-Bucks game has the second highest over/under (226) on the night. (Getty)
PF: Richaun Holmes, Philadelphia 76ers
Opponent: at Miami Heat
Price: $4,700
Holmes may be the backup to Jahlil Okafor, but he's a good bet for 20 minutes as long as Joel Embiid is out and has the potential to log about 25-28 if Okafor struggles or gets in foul trouble, both of which are strong possibilities. And with the way Holmes can stuff the stat sheet (11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 3.3 blocks in 23.3 minutes over the last three games), he doesn't need much time to provide value at this price. (Getty)
C: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Opponent: at Milwaukee Bucks
Price: $8,800
Here's what I wrote on Tuesday afternoon: "Jokic has struggled since the All-Star break, but don't forget just a couple of weeks ago he was consistently putting up 50-plus DraftKings points and was priced in the five-figure range. With his upside, he will always be worth the risk at $8,800." Joker then proceeded to put up a 19-16-10 triple-double on Tuesday night, which will likely send his ownership percentage through the roof, but I still can't pass up the value. (Getty)
G: Darren Collison, Sacramento Kings
Opponent: vs. Brooklyn Nets
Price: $6,100
Collison has been so-so since Cousins was traded, averaging 11.7 points, 5.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 27.17 DraftKings points in three games, but he's still one of the Kings' most consistent offensive options against a Nets defense that has given up the most DraftKings points per game to opposing point guards on the season. (Getty)
F: Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic
Opponent: vs. New York Knicks
Price: $5,200
Ross has been let loose since being acquired by the Magic, averaging 18.5 points, 16.0 field-goal attempts, 2.5 steals and 33.63 DraftKings points with his new team. It's certainly a small sample size, but it's pretty clear he's going to have a shoot-first-ask-questions-later role with the Magic, and if Aaron Gordon (questionable) is out, he could see an even bigger offensive role. Even if doesn't do a lot else besides score, Ross is likely to take 15-plus shots against the No. 25 team in defensive rating, giving him good upside. (Getty)
UTIL: Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
Opponent: vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Price: $8,300
The Sixers were already getting abused by centers without Joel Embiid, then they went and traded Nerlens Noel, leaving Jahlil Okafor and his putrid defense as the team's starting rim-protector. At this point, you want to play pretty much any decent big man against Philly, let alone Whiteside, who has put up 40-plus DraftKings points in four of his last five games. At a reasonable $8,300, this is easily one of my favorite plays of the day. (Getty)
DraftKings NBA Lineup Picks, Advice & Preview for March 1