This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA bounces back from a limited slate Tuesday with 11 games Wednesday. There are a lot of great matchups, including the Grizzlies facing the Bucks and the Blazers taking on the Lakers. With plenty of options to wade through on Yahoo, let's examine some players to target and avoid as you create your lineup.
GUARDS
Jrue Holiday, NO at MIN ($39): Injuries had hampered Holiday during his tenure with the Pelicans leading into last season, but he finally stayed healthy and proved to be a very important part of their success. He's off to another fantastic start this year with at least 40.1 Yahoo points in 10 of 13 games. This should be another opportunity for him to thrive with both the Pelicans and the Timberwolves in the top-nine in the league in pace of play.
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. PHI ($13): The Magic have had their offensive struggles, but certainly not because of Ross. He's been a sparkplug off their bench with his career-high 24 percent usage rate, which has helped him average 13.8 points and 2.3 three-pointers per contest. It's hard to count on him for major contributions elsewhere, but he's done enough to score at least 22.8 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. The Sixers play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.6 possessions per game), which could leave Ross with even more opportunities to provide value at near the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Markelle Fultz, PHI at ORL ($15): The Sixers might have high hopes for Fultz, but it's been an ugly start to his season. He's only shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 57.6 percent from the charity stripe, which has helped limit him to nine points per contest. After scoring 17 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last five games, there isn't much upside here to warrant considering him for your entry.
FORWARDS
Aaron Gordon, ORL vs. PHI ($29): After sitting out one game with an ankle injury, Gordon returned to score 44.5 Yahoo points Monday against the Wizards. Not only did he record a double-double in that contest, but he chipped in two steals and two blocks. He had a brief rough stretch of games earlier in the season, but he's rebounded to score at least 34.4 Yahoo points in five straight contests. In his first meeting with the Sixers this season, he scored 46.9 Yahoo points. Based on the pace at which the Sixers play, this is another opportunity for Gordon to provide excellent value at his reasonable price.
Derrick Favors, UTA at DAL ($16): Favors is only averaging 23 minutes a game, down from 28 minutes a game last year. However, that hasn't stopped him from averaging 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. He might not get a lot of recognition playing with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, but don't sleep on him for this matchup. When these two teams faced off last week, Favors scored 34.2 Yahoo points. He's a tough matchup for them at power forward, so similar results could be in the cards Wednesday.
Forward to Avoid
Otto Porter Jr., WAS vs. CLE ($20): There's just way too much risk surrounding Porter at this price. His playing time has been cut drastically of late, logging 23 minutes or fewer in four of his last five games. It's no coincidence that he scored 18.1 Yahoo points or fewer in each of those four contests. Until he starts getting extended playing time again, buyer beware.
CENTERS
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at BKN ($35): This is one of those matchups that makes your mouth water. Whiteside is back to logging extended minutes again this season, which has enabled him to average 13.9 points, 15.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks. The Nets are one of the worst teams in the league at defending centers, allowing the fourth-most Yahoo points per game (52) to the position. Whiteside won't destroy your budget, either, potentially making him one of the top plays of the night.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at WAS ($17): With the Cavaliers running out of healthy players, Thompson has been forced to play at least 28 minutes in four straight games. He's made the most of his opportunities, scoring at least 39.7 Yahoo points three times during that stretch. The Cavaliers will likely lean on him heavily again in this matchup against Dwight Howard, making Thompson a viable option in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
Dwight Howard, WAS vs. CLE ($25): After a dreadful 1-6 start, the Wizards are 3-3 since Howard returned from injury. He hasn't had any eye-popping performances yet, though, scoring 28 Yahoo points or fewer in three of those contests. In fact, he hasn't topped more than 34.6 Yahoo points in a game yet. With so many great options at center due to the packed schedule, it might be wise to avoid Howard based on his limited upside.
