What did NBA Wednesday teach us? First off, if you're going to stack Miami against a horrible Chicago Bulls team (in a back-to-back) you better hope the Heat don't lose outright 89-105. That brings up a very good question - is the second night of a back-to-back the new 2+ nights off?

Chicago's Lauri Markkanen, for example, has 32 points, 32 rebounds and 5 assists in roughly the last 26 hours. New Orleans' Kenrich Williams played about 40 total minutes from December 29th to January 26th. In the Pelicans back-to-back that wrapped up Wednesday, he's logged a total of 67 minutes with a 21 point outing Wednesday and a 16 rebound game Monday. Maybe we should be looking for the Ambien All-Stars instead of the players who have been lounging around lately on a comfortable ottoman.

Tonight's Headline Games

If oddsmakers are truly messing with us, it means the Indiana Pacers will get a dominant win a mere one night after losing by 18 to a Wizards team that had just got beaten by the Cavs Tuesday. The Orlando Magic (-2.5) would definitely be vulnerable as they've dropped four straight.

The Philadelphia 76ers just got done beating up on the Lakers but they face the 2019 NBA Finals (Preemptive) Champions Golden State Warriors on Thursday. Is +9.5 too many points for a Sixers team that is finally at full(ish) strength?

Only half a game separates the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors in the East but that will change after their showdown at the (not) Air Canada Centre. These teams met up on January 5th when four Toronto starters had at least 20 points in a 123-116 win in Milwaukee.

Guards

Klay Thompson (DK: $5,800 FD: $6,900 Y! $24)

He may be slumping a bit right now and seemingly losing offensive opportunities with the return/debut of DeMarcus Cousins but any time you can get Klay Thompson for under $6,000, you take it. Golden State is at home vs. a Sixers team playing in their third straight game out West. Thompson is a ceiling play every night at this price and his 'slump' includes a 44 point January 21st vs. the Lakers.

Patrick Beverley (DK: $5,300 FD: $6,000 Y! $19)

Is the Clippers' Patrick Beverley a trap play Thursday considering he's posted back-to-back 40+ point fantasy nights? The matchup with the Lakers definitely helps his incentive for another big evening. The Clippers SG is logging a ton of minutes right now too, with 34+ in six straight. The Lakers defense has given up 120+ in 5 of 6.

Shabazz Napier (DK: $5,300, FD; $5,700 Y!:$17 )

The Nets' Shabazz Napier is launching lately, with 13+ field goal attempts in the past three games. D'Angelo Russell is playing at an elite level lately but Napier is still getting quality opportunities with 26.6 minutes the last three games. Napier actually performs better in the slow-it-down pace that the Spurs thrive on, as his production goes up 29% in those contests.

Forwards

Montrezl Harrell (DK: $6,800 FD: $7,200 Y! $22)

The price is a bit high on the Clippers' Montrezl Harrell but he's well rested and in a rivalry game with the Lakers. Harrell is good for about 30 in this one, but a 40+ point night isn't out of the question vs. the Lakers' struggling defense.

Khris Middleton (DK: $6,200 FD: $6,800 Y!: $25)

Rick Astley wrote his hit song about Milwaukee's Khris Middleton because he's "never going to give you up, let you down, or win DFS GPP tournaments." You have to like Middleton's consistency with 27+ fantasy points in 9 of 10. Milwaukee should be in a close game with the Raptors tonight which will jack up his minutes.

Aaron Gordon (DK: $6,800 FD: $7,200 Y!: $27)

The Magic play Indiana tonight and they're on leg two of a B2B. That should lead to another big night from Aaron Gordon who has put up 40+ fantasy points in three straight. Gordon has 19, 18, and 16 field goal attempts the last three games and has at least 9 rebounds in each of those outings.

Center

Ivica Zubac ( DK: $5,100, FD: $5,200 Y! $14)

There's a nice strategy to use in DFS right now and it's called play whatever center is up against the Clippers. Today, that's the Lakers' Ivica Zubac. The Clippers have allowed 10, 12, 14, 16, and 16 rebounds to the last five centers they've faced. Zubac could be a rotation liability behind Javale McGee and Tyson Chandler but Los Angeles will need Zubac's offense more than McGee's and Chandler's defense tonight.

Utility Player

Ben Simmons (DK:$8,600 FD:$9,500 Y!43)

With today's line-up there's enough left in the kitty to play Ben Simmons vs. Golden State. He's posted 40+ fantasy points in three straight and should enjoy the marquee matchup going toe-to-toe with Steph Curry on Thursday.

Dark H-O-R-S-E Play of the Night

Aaron Holiday (DK: $3,900 FD: $3,700 Y! $10)

What did we learn from Wednesday's Dark H-O-R-S-E play of the night? That you need minutes to get fantasy points. Gary Payton II didn't even have to shower after the game while logging just 2:53 even though Washington was in a B2B. The Indiana Pacers starting SG spot is up for grabs with Victor Oladipo and Tyreke Evans out. Edmond Sumner has been a non-factor but Aaron Holiday could be taking that job soon. Holiday has back-to-back double digit scoring games while averaging 21 minutes. With the Pacers on a B2B, that usage could push 30 vs. Orlando.

People who play slot machines religiously always say that the reels get hot on the last day of the month as casinos try to balance their books. Even though DFS is a 'game of skill' we think that premonition will come true on January 31st. Until then, feel free to follow Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports) for more daily fantasy and sports betting insights and oversights.

Freeroll

Congratulations to the winners of yesterday’s freeroll contest!

1st Place: PaulieBrasco | 321.75 pts

2nd Place: winnersedge16 | 320.25

3rd Place: chrlawit | 315.5

DM us on Twitter with your winning lineup to claim your prize!

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