The biggest story for the Wednesday night NBA slate is the return of Kevin Durant - at the same time that James Harden is heading to the shelf both with hamstring issues.

Durant's a great play, but what will his minutes be against the Pelicans? Speaking of, New Orleans is on the back to back and they welcomed the return of Zion Williamson last night but with 35 minutes. Does the nature of the injury (Durant - hamstring, Zion - thumb) limit the amount of minutes each play?

Let's see what we've got for this 9-gamer.

Today's NBA Matchups

Timberwolves @ Pacers (-2), O/U 232, 7:00 PM ET

Indiana is on the back to back, so is that why Malcolm Brogdon (hip) and Domantas Sabonis (ankle) sat out last night - or are they still legitimately hurt? The T'Wolves are 30th vs. the PG and PF over the past week so some Pacers injury news would be nice.

Wizards (-3) @ Magic, O/U 222, 7:00 PM ET

Bradley Beal's status has been changed to out indefinitely with the hip contusion, which of course means he probably plays tonight after missing the last three. Rui Hachimura has also missed the last two but we didn't see a huge Russ Westbrook bump.

Knicks @ Celtics (-3), O/U 209.5, 7:30 PM ET

Boston is on the short turnaround tonight after a 10 point loss to the Sixers last night, and the 0 days rest always puts Kemba Walker's status in jeopardy. Walker, Marcus Smart, and Jason Tatum all logged 35+, and it's a tough ask up against the NYK defense.

Pelicans @ Nets (-9), O/U 233, 7:30 PM ET

New Orleans got Zion Williamson back for 46fp last night, albeit in a 123-107 loss to Atlanta. Now it's the Nets turn, as Kevin Durant returns - right when James Harden goes down for 10 days. What's up with the hamstrings in Brooklyn, eat a banana or something.

Grizzlies @ Hawks (-2.5), O/U 225, 8:00 PM ET

Both the Griz and Hawks are on the back to back tonight, with Memphis' three game win streak in jeopardy having to play their third road game in four nights. Atlanta has a 3-in-4 situation too, but they've all been at home. Ja Morant (back) has been added to the injury report as a GTD.

Hornets (-5.5) @ Thunder, O/U 213.5, 8:00 PM ET

2nd lowest betting total of the night, but that doesn't mean Charlotte isn't a good target against an OKC defense that has allowed 140, 133, and 132 points their last three. The Hornets have been held under 90 in 2 of the last 3 though.

Mavericks (-11.5) @ Rockets, O/U 222.5, 8:00 PM ET

The Rockets are back to their losing ways with five straight defeats, but this isn't necessarily an open and shut 🕯️Blowout Game🕯️. Houston fell 133-130 vs. the Suns on Monday even while playing on 0 days rest.

Spurs @ Nuggets (-7), O/U 222, 9:00 PM ET

Denver stretching their win streak to 7 gets a bit harder on 0 days rest, but they are at home and last night's 15 point win over Detroit wasn't the most exerting. The Spurs also just lost by 24 at home to Cleveland, their third straight defeat.

Jazz (-1.5) @ Suns, O/U 226.5, 10:00 PM ET

Game of the night as Phoenix has won six straight and are just 2.5 GB from Utah in the West. The Suns have scored 273 total points their last two games (vs. Houston and OKC though).

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Terry Rozier DK $8.4k | FD $7.4k

@OKC

The Thunder defense is getting torched right now, allowing 130+ in three straight. Why not ride the Hornets player who launches the most, which is Terry Rozier (15.5 fga/game). Rozier also has 19 and 23 fga in the two games since Gordon Hayward's injury.

Jamal Murray DK $8k | FD $8k

vs. San Antonio

Just like in a Happy Meal, Jamal Murray is the freshest Nugget tonight after sitting out the win over Detroit on Tuesday. He should return for this matchup, as in the past five games the Spurs have allowed a 37 real point night to Darius Garland, 28 & 12 assists to Trae Young, and 24 points and 5 assists to De'Aaron Fox.

Lou Williams DK $5.4k | FD $5.2k

vs. Memphis

In Lou Williams' first back-to-back with the Hawks he went for 40fp, scoring 19 points and dishing out 8 assists. Trae Young didn't play that game, but could he also see a minutes reduction tonight with Atlanta playing their 3rd game in 4 nights?

Josh Richardson DK $4.8k | FD $5k

@Houston

There's the possibility of no Kristaps Porzingis tonight (or Trey Burke) and no sense burning up Luka Doncic as the Mavs host Milwaukee on the TNT game tomorrow night. That puts Josh Richardson in a great spot with extra usage vs. a Rockets squad that has allowed 118+ in five straight.

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Dillon Brooks DK $5.6k | FD $5.6

@Atlanta

Dillon Brooks had a 10-16 shooting performance to land in the perfect lineup last night, and he doesn't look like too horrible of an option to run it back. Ja Morant is questionable (among a slew of other injuries for Memphis) and Brooks played a manageable 31 minutes. He's also up against Atlanta, who is beat up/tired on 0 days rest as well.

Kyle Anderson DK $5.5k | FD $6.3k

@Atlanta

Memphis forward stack? With Clarke, Melton, and possibly Morant out and playing an Atlanta team in a very similar situation it's looking good for the Griz. Kyle Anderson has hit the perfect lineup in 3 of the last 4, and also had just 30 minutes last night.

Deni Avdija DK $5.1k | FD $4.3k

@Orlando

Deni Avdija went for 6X on Monday with Rui Hachimura out of the lineup. Can he repeat that against an Orlando team allowing 128ppg their last two? The Magic have struggled vs. the SF spot, giving up 17 rebounds to Josh Hart last Thursday. Avdija has 8+ rebounds in five straight.

Juancho Hernangomez DK $3.2k | FD $3.7k

@Indiana

Can the fact that the Pacers are a bit banged up while also on the back to back help get Juancho Hernangomez some playing time? The last two games he's had at least 25 minutes he's hit for 37 and 32 fp. Nobody is ever going to back on a T'Wolves double digit win, but the potential is there.

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Nikola Jokic DK $10.6k | FD $10.2k

vs. San Antonio

The back to back is almost a non-factor for Nikola Jokic as he breezed to a 59fp night in just 27 minutes. Jokic vs. Jakob Poeltl is eye candy, as the Spurs have allowed a 17 rebound night to Clint Capela and 15 to Richaun Holmes in the last week.

Wendell Carter, Jr. DK $6k | FD $7.3k

vs. Washington

I'll have whatever FanDuel is having, but that's still a doable DK price for Wendell Carter, Jr., who has hit 40+ fp in three straight. That has come with Khem Birch out (q-illness) and WCJ has 16+ points and 9+ boards in each. The Wizards rank 28th vs. the C position as well.

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