Wednesday's NBA showdown is a single game, GSW @ HOU, with the standard captain format: the captain slot scores 1.5x points at 1.5x salary, and the cap is $50,000. The slate locks at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT).
Our model's top-ranked play is Stephen Curry (GSW) at $9,600, with a ceiling of 69.7 against a DraftKings average of 45.9. That ceiling is the highest on the board, and it is the main reason he anchors our lineup at captain. Alperen Sengun (HOU) is the priciest player at $10,400 and carries the best DraftKings average of the group at 48.9, with a 61.1 ceiling. Yaxel Lendeborg (GSW) at $8,200 shows a 61.2 ceiling, and Kevin Durant (HOU) at $8,600 sits at 60.0.
The value case starts with Charles Bassey (GSW) at $3,800. His DraftKings average is 17.6, but his ceiling is 48.9, which is a lot of upside for the price and the cheapest way to free up cap room for the stars. Further up the salary scale, Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU) at $7,600 has a 53.8 ceiling and Brandin Podziemski (GSW) at $7,400 has a 51.5 ceiling. Amen Thompson (HOU) at $7,800 rounds out the ranked plays, with a 47.0 ceiling.
On the injury front, DraftKings lists several players with a status tag: Jimmy Butler (GSW), Brandon Williams (GSW), Gary Payton II (GSW), Moses Moody (GSW) and Kristaps Porzingis (GSW) are tagged OUT, as are Steven Adams (HOU) and Clint Capela (HOU). Will Richard (GSW) is tagged Q. We have no ownership figures for this slate.
Our model's top lineup uses the full $50,000. Stephen Curry is the captain at $14,400, joined by Charles Bassey at $3,800, Kevin Durant at $8,600, Yaxel Lendeborg at $8,200, Brandin Podziemski at $7,400 and Jabari Smith Jr. at $7,600. Lock is 9:30 p.m. ET.
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