This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Wednesday's slate of 12 games provides plenty of options for your Yahoo Daily NBA lineups. We will look at players not expected to be highly owned, due to recent struggles, but have the potential to go off.
GUARD
Klay Thompson, GS vs. PHO ($26) - The Golden State Warriors can finally breath a little easier now that their 24-game winning streak to start the year is over. In their loss to Milwaukee, Thompson returned from a one-game absence, and struggled. While some picking their lineups may choose to ignore Thompson, until he has proven his ankle is fine, Wednesday could turn out to be a prime time to take him at a low percentage. Thompson played his best game of the year before rolling his ankle prior to his Milwaukee performance, with a line of 39 points, seven boards, six assists, one block and a ridiculous 10 triples. The Warriors are likely licking their chops waiting to start another streak, and Thompson has a chance to pick up where he left off prior to his rolled ankle.
Damian Lillard, POR at OKC ($46) - Lillard has a tendency to show up for big games, and it does not get much bigger for a point guard than matching up with Russell Westbrook. There was a lot of weight added to Lillard's shoulders coming into the year after losing LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews to free agency and Nicolas Batum in a trade. Lillard, however, has been terrific in Portland's revamped lineup. He is averaging 24.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.8 triples in 37 minutes per game. Lillard has been a model of consistency this year, which is something to factor in when shelling out a high price tag for a player. He has not scored fewer than 32 fantasy points in any December game and has put up more than 40 in half. Expect Lillard to continue embracing his new role and put up big numbers Wednesday.
Guard to Avoid:
Reggie Jackson, DET vs. BOS ($36) - Jackson is off to a solid start this season, putting up 20.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.4 dimes, 1.1 steals and 1.5 threes in only 31 minutes per game. He is also coming off an impressive outing against the Clippers with 34 points, 11 boards, seven assists and two threes in 35 minutes. These are reasons why Jackson will be a popular play Wednesday, but it may be a good time to fade the public. He will be facing an unfavorable matchup, as his Pistons will welcome Boston to Detroit. Jackson likely will be defended by Avery Bradley, a top-tier defender in today's NBA. Boston is also giving up 98.8 points per game, and allows the fewest fantasy points to opposing point guards in the league.
FORWARD
Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. NO ($34) - When it comes to filling up a stat sheet, Hayward does a little bit of everything. He is averaging 18.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.8 threes in 35 minutes per game. Hayward is coming off a rough outing against a tenacious Spurs defense, and appears to be primed for a bounce-back performance. The reason being, is an advantageous matchup against a Pelicans squad giving up a league-high 108.3 points per game. Hayward will be defending the offensively challenged Alonzo Gee, which should result in him having extra energy to use on the offensive end. Some may avoid Hayward after looking at his previous outing against the Spurs, resulting in a high value play if he indeed bounces back.
Paul Millsap, ATL vs. PHI ($40) - No team has given up more fantasy points to opposing power forwards this year than Philadelphia. The 76ers are also giving up the eighth most points in the league at 103.3 per game. Millsap is coming off a quiet performance for his standards in a loss to Miami, only putting up 29.8 fantasy points. He has put up a final tally below thirty in only four other games this season, and has followed those outings up with 41.7, 54.7, 54.2 and 37.0 fantasy points respectively. With all signs pointing toward an effective bounce-back game for the power forward, the biggest concern is that the game could become a blowout, which decreasing his final output. If you are willing to bet on the 76ers keeping the game competitive, Millsap should provide plenty of bang for your buck.
Forward to Avoid:
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL at IND ($31) - Nowitzki has tapped into the fountain of youth this year, putting up vintage Dirk numbers. He is averaging 17.3 points, 7.1 boards, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.4 threes in 30 minutes per game. While, he has given no reason to expect a speed bump, he does face an unfavorable matchup Wednesday. The Pacers allow the second-fewest points to opposing power forwards league-wide, and only 99.4 points per game overall. While Nowitzki could put up something close to his $31 value, it is not very reasonable to expect him to out perform it based on his matchup in Indiana.
CENTER
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. MIL ($32) - It feels like deja vu, as I suggested DeAndre Jordan in last week's Wednesday's column due to his matchup with Milwaukee. Another Wednesday, another matchup with Milwaukee, but this time in Los Angeles. The main reason Jordan is a good play, is that his strength is rebounding, and the Bucks are the worst rebounding team in the league so far this season. Jordan put up nine points, 19 boards, two assists and three blocks in 39 minutes during last week's tilt, good enough for 37.8 fantasy points. He will have every opportunity to match and exceed those numbers Wednesday.
Center to Avoid:
Marcin Gortat, WAS at SA ($27) - Gortat has the unfortunate task of battling with San Antonio's frontcourt Wednesday, the same frontcourt giving up the fewest fantasy points to opposing centers in the league. The Spurs defense in general is giving up the fewest points to opposing teams this year at 87.9 points per game. That number is 3.7 points less than the next best defensive total. Avoiding Gortat has less to do with the player, and more to do with the opponent. It is unreasonable to expect him putting up a final line worthy of his $27 price tag, let alone surpass it.
