This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Wednesday provides plenty of matchups consisting of high value plays at reasonable prices. Ahead we will look at players who have been playing well recently and facing advantageous matchups. Also, we will take a look at a few those who may not be worth their price given their opponents.
GUARD
Tyreke Evans, NOP at SAC ($33) - After missing the first 17 games of the season, Evans is playing his best basketball of the year. That, combined with the fact that he draws a very favorable matchup against the Kings, has him as one of the better plays in Wednesday's slate. Evans is on a six-game stretch where his lowest fantasy point output has been 32.8. During that span he is averaging 18.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.7 threes in 36.3 minutes per game. There is no reason to anticipate him slowing down in Sacramento, who is allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards over the past ten games. The Kings are also giving up the most points in the league on the year overall at 108.6 per game. As only the ninth-highest priced point guard, Evans has the potential to be a steal Wednesday.
Michael Carter-Williams, MIL at WAS ($29) - Carter-Williams is playing very well of late, averaging 12.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks in 33.9 minutes per game over his last seven. The significant increase in playing time of late has come due to injuries to both Jerryd Bayless and O.J. Mayo, and given that they are both still out, the high minutes should continue.
Guard to Avoid
C.J. McCollum, POR vs UTA ($38) - Even if head coach Terry Stots correctly submits Portland's lineup this week and McCollum gets to play, he is still a risky choice Wednesday. He will face a tough matchup against an underrated Jazz backcourt that is allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing shooting guards over the last 10. In general, the Jazz have been stingy defensively all year, allowing 96.7 points per game, tied for the fourth-fewest in the league. Given McCollum's price and matchup, Wednesday may be a night to intentionally not place him in your lineup.
FORWARD
Chris Bosh, MIA at LAC ($40) - In 11 games played since Christmas, Bosh is averaging 22.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and a remarkable 2.3 three-pointers per game. Both Hassan Whiteside and DeAndre Jordan are questionable for this matchup, which could open up the paint for Bosh. Whiteside appears closer to doubtful than questionable, while Jordan is expected to go while dealing with flu-like symptoms. That would result in a favorable matchup for Bosh facing a frontcourt with no Blake Griffin and an ailing Jordan.
Harrison Barnes, GSW at DEN ($23) - Barnes came out of the gate hot this year before being sidelined for 16 games due to an ankle injury. He has now had five games to ease his way back in, and Wednesday is shaping up to be a potential break out game. Draymond Green is expected to rest Wednesday and possibly Thursday, which will be an ideal opportunity for Barnes to reestablish his role. His minutes have increased each of his five games since returning, resulting in 27 minutes in Golden State's last outing. This pick relies heavily on Green's expected absence, so that should be verified prior to selecting Barnes, but either way, he is trending back toward being a productive play in DFS.
Forward to Avoid
Will Barton, DEN at GSW ($33) - Barton has been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season, but he has been trending in the wrong direction recently. The new year has not been kind, as he has only averaged 15.5 fantasy points per game since Jan. 3. At his price, those kind of number make it very hard to place in any contest no matter how well the rest of your team does. It is unclear why he has hit a slump, and it may simply be temporary, but he is a very risky play at this point until he shows signs of a progress.
CENTER
Al Horford, ATL at CHA ($31) - Horford is very reasonably priced and coming off some of his best games of the season, including 64.5 fantasy points in his last game. In his past five, he is averaging 21.4 points, 9.2 boards, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steal, 2.2 blocks and 1.8 triples in 31.7 minutes per game. That type of stat-sheet stuffing is a steal at only $31. Horford has played two other games against Charlotte this season, averaging an impressive 17.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 threes per outing. Given his recent play and production against the Hornets, Horford should provide production well above his $31 value.
Center to Avoid
Andrew Bogut, GS at DEN ($13) - There are very few poor matchups for centers Wednesday, as some of the best teams at stopping them are not on the slate. One team that has been solid at limiting center production recently is the Nuggets, who are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the position in their last 10, which does not bode well for Bogut or even Festus Ezeli.
