The NBA was a mixed bag last night. Four games were decided by 4 points or less while the other half of the card saw a 27, a 19, and a 17 point margin of victory. There are 10 more games on the schedule to help us climb over hump day. So many games at the front end of the week means fatigue is going to start to be a factor - for the NBA players, not the DFS ballers.

On this day in NBA history in 1991, Michael Jordan scored his 15,000th career point - the 2nd fastest (460 games) to get to that mark besides Wilt Chamberlain. For comparison, it took Kobe Bryant 657 games and LeBron James 540. Mike was pretty good but enough waxing nostalgia, let's get to today's docket:

Tonight's Headline Games

Two of the league's marquee players are in action when James Harden ($12,200) and the Houston Rockets (+1.5) host Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,100) and the Milwaukee Bucks. The teams are a combined 16-4 in their last 20.

The Dallas Mavericks (-9) are in a blowout spot vs. the Phoenix Suns who had a fast paced 115-111 win over the Kings last night. Does that ruin Luka Doncic's ($8,200) minutes and value?

The Indiana Pacers are victims of poor scheduling as they have to travel to the Boston Celtics (-6.5) but on the 2nd leg of a back-to-back.

The Philadelphia 76ers (-3) had a 26 point lead going into the 4th quarter of their game vs. the Washington Wizards on Tuesday en route to a 132-117 win. The two teams meet up again Wednesday in a home-and-home. Landry Shamet ($3,100) blew up for 29 points in 23 minutes for Philly. Anybody chasing that tonight?

Who is tonight's Landry Shamet? Brooklyn is a -9 favorite over the Hawks, New Orleans -14 over Cleveland, and Utah -9 over Orlando so keep an eye on some of those backup players.

Guards

Jordan Clarkson (DK: $5,200, FD: $5,000 Y! $19)

It isn't ideal that Jordan Clarkson played 32 minutes off the bench Tuesday, but he did come through with a 35 point fantasy night. That was the second straight 30+ point fantasy night and the DFS sites continue to give us value on the Cavs backup, so why not take him? Clarkson has three 17+ field goal attempt nights in his last seven games and has at least a dozen fga in 8 of 9. Four Cleveland players besides Clarkson played 29+ minutes on Tuesday. Plus, Larry Nance and Rodney Hood could miss the game vs. the Pelicans so Clarkson should have minutes in a blowout or a close contest.

Frank Jackson (DK: $3,100 FD: $3,600 Y! $10)

Could Frank Jackson be Wednesday's breakout DFS star? The Pelicans backup guard should see lots of minutes vs. a Cavs team playing on a B2B. Cleveland is 27th and 25th defensively vs. the PG and SG respectively. The Pelicans won by 35 over Cleveland on January 5th and Jackson logged 6 points, 3 assists, and 5 rebounds in 18 minutes. He scored 17 vs. Memphis last time out in a 19 point Pelicans win. Expect more of the same Wednesday if not a more complete game.

JJ Barea (DK: $4,300 FD: $4,400 Y! $12)

The only thing worrisome about JJ Barea Wednesday is the fact that he missed a game on Saturday with an ankle injury. However, that was the 2nd leg of a B2B and it wrapped up a 4-game Mavs road swing, so rest was warranted. Phoenix is the opponent tonight and the Suns come in fatigued after a back-and-forth comeback win over the Kings on Tuesday. Barea had 11 points in 18 minutes vs. the Lakers on Monday and should see plenty of court time if Dallas does indeed get the dominating win. Dennis Smith, Jr. is questionable with a back injury so Barea or Devin Harris have a prime opportunity.

Forwards

Khris Middleton (DK: $6,400, FD; $7,500 Y! $25 )

The Milwaukee Bucks are in a tough battle with Houston on Wednesday which should mean a nice close contest with plenty of usage for Khris Middleton. The Bucks F has been a steady contributor with six straight 30+ point fantasy nights. The Rockets have been kind of stingy vs. the SF lately (13th) but when the teams met up last March, Middleton had 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. He's had a dozen or more field goal attempts in 8 of the last 9 games, so at the very least the opportunity will be there.

Kyle Kuzma (DK: $7,000, FD: $7,100 Y! $30 )

Kyle Kuzma's shot was off Monday vs. Dallas (4-20) but there are some positives ahead of Wednesday's game. a) the Lakers are back home up against the Pistons b) that was Kuzma's first game since missing two contests with a back injury and c) he still got off 20 attempts. When you factor in a favorable matchup with the Pistons and the fact that LeBron James is still out with a groin injury Kuzma should approach a 45+ point fantasy night.

Jonah Bolden (DK: $3,600 FD: $3,500 Y! $11)

Philadelphia favored by just 3 points at Washington seems like a trap bet, which is worrisome. In two games this season the Sixers have won by a combined 42 points over the Wizards including a 132-117 rout last night. Joel Embiid logged 23 minutes last night and Wilson Chandler played 22 in his first game back from an illness. You have to think the B2B opens up some court time for Jonah Bolden. The Sixers F didn't do much vs. Washington last night, but he did have an 11 point, 9 rebound night the game prior vs. Dallas. People will be chasing the Sixers back court tonight, which makes their front court a steady contrarian play.

Centers

Kyle O'Quinn (DK: $3,500 FD: $4,800 Y! $11)

It's possible Kyle O'Quinn has a career night vs. Boston Wednesday. Unfortunately, that seems like it would only be like 10 fantasy points. The Pacers are on a B2B in which Domantas Sabonis for some reason played 34 minutes in an 8 point win over Cleveland. Myles Turner is doubtful vs. the Celtics which means it's time for O'Quinn to get mighty. The 6'10" Pacers backup C did have a 9 point, 7 rebound, 3 assist night in 17 minutes vs. Toronto on Sunday. Boston may also go light on the big man usage, as they are on the 1st leg of a B2B with the TNT game vs. Miami Thursday.

Rudy Gobert ( DK: $7,500, FD: $8,400 Y! $30)

On paper, Rudy Gobert has a less than favorable matchup with the Magic who are a top 5 team vs. the C. It's not like Orlando is invincible vs. centers however, as Karl-Anthony Towns just put up 29 points and 15 rebounds against them last Friday. Gobert's production has been down a bit recently, but the Jazz big man was in the midst of a 4-game road swing. The team is back in Utah on Wednesday where he has put up three straight 47+ fantasy point nights.

Dewayne Dedmon (DK:$5,200 FD: $6,300 Y! $17)

The prices for Dewayne Dedmon seem like they should be a bit lower considering the Atlanta center is on part two of a B2B and he's had a slight ankle issue. That being said, in the matchup with the Nets he might not need a whole lot of court time to return value. Dedmon went for 24 points and 12 rebounds when the two teams met in mid-December. Brooklyn has also allowed 34+ fantasy points to 4 of the last 5 C they've played. Dedmon logged 25 minutes last night (12 points 9 rebounds), but his backup, Alex Len played 22. They should see very similar usage on Wednesday

Four games are on tap for tomorrow, which is a decent slate for Thursday. Follow me on Twitter (@dailydogsports) for more sports handicapping including the next disgruntled Steelers player that will be unveiled tonight on The Masked Singer.

(Bud Dupree +450)

Freeroll

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