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NBA DFS: How to attack Wednesday night's slate

It was a very unconventional Tuesday in the NBA with nine games. Typically Tuesdays aren’t as busy, resulting in less back-to-backs on Wednesdays. In the 10 Wednesday NBA games, six teams are on the second legs of back-to-backs. Let’s take advantage of the less rested teams by finding some DFS plays.

$45 Atlanta Hawks PG Trae Young

The Sacramento Kings are on the second leg of a road back-to-back after playing the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. Sacramento has the second-worst defense in the league, allowing 114.5 points per game. That number has been on the rise in the Kings’ last 10 and is up to 117.7. When Hawks leading scorer Trae Young is up against a bottom 10 defense, he’s averaging 31.3 PPG, five rebounds and 10 assists. Although $45 is pricey, the point guard is worth it for his consistent play against bad defenses.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) scores over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young is a great play on Wednesday's NBA slate. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

$26 Orlando Magic PF Wendell Carter Jr.

One of my favorite trends right now in the NBA is playing any big man against the Los Angeles Clippers. They’ve been terrible on the boards. The Clippers are allowing the second-most rebounds per game overall this season and most in the NBA in their last 10. Los Angeles is also ranked 27th in defensive rating in their last five games. Magic power forward Wendell Carter Jr. is averaging a double-double against bottom 10 rebounding defenses. He’s putting up 13.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in those spots. Carter is also catching the Clippers in a great spot as they’re on the second leg of a road back-to-back after facing the Washington Wizards.

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$14 Indiana Pacers C Goga Bitadze

Pacers backup center Goga Bitadze isn’t a well-known name, however, he’s been getting noticed after three straight games without Domantas Sabonis. The Pacers’ power forward has a left ankle sprain and is expected to miss a few games. With no recent updates regarding Sabonis' status, my guess is he’ll be out again against the Hornets. Charlotte’s on the second leg of a back-to-back and has struggled against big men in that situation. The Hornets are allowing centers to average 21.7 points and 14.2 rebounds when they play two nights in a row. Although the sample size is small on Bitadze, he’s averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in Sabonis' absence. Those numbers came against the Warriors, Suns and Pelicans. Two of those three defenses are top 10 in the league. Imagine how he could do against a bottom-10 defense like Charlotte's. I’m willing to take that risk on a $14 value play.