Injuries highlight the NBA slate as we approach the All-Star break. Moreover, many players are at the core of trade rumors. It’s a busy time for the league, but it makes these games all that more meaningful. It’s a Wet Wednesday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.

Be sure to use our proprietary NBA projections and cheat sheet to build your lineups as the news rolls in. Moreover, join the conversation in the Win Daily Discord to get the insight you need from both subscribers and staff.

Indiana Pacers @ Orlando Magic (-4.5)

Indiana Pacers (+4.5)

The Pacers are on the second half of a back-to-back but that won’t stop them from being one of the most popular rotations on the NBA slate. In the absence of Tyrese Haliburton, there have been many players stepping up. TJ McConnell continues to be a hot commodity in the mid range of the pricing grid, while Buddy Hield showed out after being highlighted in yesterday’s article. Moreover, Myles Turner continues to be a fantasy points per minute machine and is seeing an increased workload in the paint.

Orlando Magic (-4.5)

Despite cooling off after a hot start to his NBA career, Paolo Banchero is a tremendous play in the mid range of the pricing grid. Banchero has now scored in double digits across 12 straight appearances, averaging 19.8/5.7/3.3 on 42.4% shooting. However, his minutes have been limited during that stretch, large in part because of blowout losses. Tonight, the Magic are favored as two rebuilding teams face one another. With The Pacers lacking size on the wing, opting for smaller lineups with combo guards such as Mathurin and Hield, Panchero holds a massive size advantage against anyone he lines up against.

Washington Wizards @ Houston Rockets (+3.5)

Washington Wizards (-3.5)

Both of these teams are riddled with injuries but this is one of the best game environments on the NBA slate. Despite Kyle Kuzma acting as the primary ball handler in this offense, the sheer upside that Bradley Beal has in this matchup is too good to pass up on. Not only is his place on the pricing grid outright disrespectful, but the Rockets rank 28th in the league in defensive rating. He is far from his form that nearly led him to a scoring title in 2020-2021, but Beal is still one of the best off-ball guards in the league. The absence of Kristaps Porzingis opens up a ton of shots for Beal, who has scored 20 or more points in ten of his last fifteen appearances.

Houston Rockets (+3.5)

On the flipside of this matchup is plenty of offensive potential in its own right. In the absence of Kevin Porter Jr., both Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green have been phenomenal. The former gets a juicy matchup versus Daniel Gafford, who is simply not match for the sophomore. Sengun has three double-doubles in his last four games, averaging 24.3/12.5/6.5 during that span. Moreover, Green has scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games since KPJ went down with a foot injury. Green has averaged 28.6/3.2/3.6 on 49.5% shooting during that span, taking over 20 field goal attempts per night.

Toronto Raptors @ Sacramento Kings (-4.5)

Toronto Raptors (+4.5)

One of the most intriguing teams heading into the NBA trade deadline, the Raptors still have one of the best cores in the league. However, they have failed to return to form that won them a championship only a few years ago. Yes, Kawhi Leonard is gone, but OG Anunoby is one of the best defenders in the league, while Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes have the potential to carry this team to wins nightly. In this matchup, Gary Trent Jr. will see a lot of shot attempts versus a Kings defense the struggles on the perimeter. Moreover, Scottie Barnes will be key in defending De’Aaron Fox, while producing on offense and on the glass.

Sacramento Kings (-4.5)

Simply put, this is a tremendous matchup for Domantas Sabonis. To the surprise of no one, he is featured once again in a Kings writeup. However, the Raptors struggle on the glass, giving Sabonis great potential to dominate both ends of the paint. Over his last seven games, not only has Sabonis posted six double-doubles, but he also has eight or more assists in each one of those appearances. Sabonis has averaged a 17.4/12.9/10.9 triple-double during that span, showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Honorable Mentions:

• Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers (-6.5)
• Denver Nuggets @ Milwaukee Bucks (-6.5)
• Minnesota Timberwolves @ New Orleans Pelicans (-2.5)

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