This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA continues to bring plenty of action with 10 more games on the schedule Wednesday. There are great games across the board, including the Pacers taking on the Celtics and the Bucks facing the Rockets. Let's dive into the bevy of options and highlight some players to target and avoid while creating your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
D'Angelo Russell, BKN vs. ATL ($26): Russell couldn't get much going in the Nets loss to the Celtics on Monday, scoring just five points across 23 minutes. It was a blowout against a great defensive team, so don't read too much into one bad outing. Before that, Russell had scored at least 41.3 Yahoo points in three straight games. This is a spectacular matchup for him against the Hawks, who allow the most points per game (117.2) in the league. The last time these two teams met, Russell scored 32 points on his way to a whopping 55.7 Yahoo points.
De'Anthony Melton, PHO at DAL ($10): Melton took on a more prominent role Tuesday against the Kings with Devin Booker (back) out, logging 31 minutes in the Suns comeback victory. He certainly didn't disappoint, scoring 10 points to go along with four rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks. Booker didn't even participate in shootaround Tuesday, so that's not exactly encouraging for his prospects of returning for this contest. If he can't play, Melton becomes a great tournament option.
Guard to Avoid
Collin Sexton, CLE at NO ($14): Sexton is extremely reliant on his offensive production to provide value. He provides virtually nothing on the defensive end, totaling one steal and no blocks across his last six games. He only averages three rebounds and 2.8 assists for the season, as well. Even though the Pelicans play at the sixth-fastest pace (103 possessions per game) in the league, it's hard to get excited about Sexton on a night with so many other quality options.
FORWARDS
Blake Griffin, DET at LAL ($39): The Pistons are struggling right now and find themselves outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. Griffin has been doing his part, scoring at least 45.4 Yahoo points in four straight games. This matchup presents a great opportunity for him to be productive since the Lakers play at the third-fastest pace (104.3). They also don't have much size at power forward, especially with LeBron James (groin) out.
DeAndre' Bembry, ATL at BKN ($12): The Hawks were surprisingly competitive against the Raptors on Tuesday, losing by just three points. Bembry wasn't much of a force on the offensive end, but he produced an excellent all-around line with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals. The key is that he played 37 minutes. With Taurean Prince (ankle) and Kent Bazemore (ankle) still on the shelf, Bembry should have an expanded role again Wednesday.
Forward to Avoid
Gordon Hayward, BOS vs. IND ($21): In the two games that Kyrie Irving missed due to an eye injury, Hayward scored 41.7 and 42.2 Yahoo points, respectively. He attempted at least 15 shots in both games, something he had done only once all season prior to that stretch. He also logged at least 30 minutes in both games, marking the first time he played at least 30 minutes in consecutive games since November. However, with Irving back Monday against the Nets, Hayward attempted 10 shots in 26 minutes, finishing with 18.8 Yahoo points. The Celtics are mostly healthy heading into Wednesday, leaving Hayward without a ton of upside.
CENTERS
DeAndre Jordan, DAL vs. PHO ($27): Jordan has done an excellent job in his first season with the Mavericks, averaging 10.9 points, 14.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. He's even shooting 71.1 percent from the charity stripe and averaging a career-high 2.1 assists. His production has been a bit up and down, of late, but some of that can be attributed to the fact that the Mavericks have been involved in some lopsided scores. This is still a great matchup to target with the Suns allowing the second-most Yahoo points per game (52.2) to opposing centers.
Ed Davis, BKN vs. ATL ($10): Davis continues to dominate the glass this year, averaging 8.5 rebounds across just 18 minutes per game. The rest of his contributions don't jump off the page, but he's scored at least 24.1 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. He logged at least 20 minutes in three of those contests and could be in line for added minutes Wednesday with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip) still out. The Hawks allow the sixth-most Yahoo points per game (49.9) to opposing centers, so it's not all that surprising that he scored 31.5 Yahoo points against them earlier this season. At the minimum price, he makes for a very intriguing option in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
Thomas Bryant, WAS vs. PHI ($18): Bryant has played very well filling in up front for the Wizards, but this is a horrible matchup for him against Joel Embiid. Embiid dominated him Tuesday, leaving Bryant to score just 19.1 Yahoo points in 18 minutes. Since he doesn't come at much of a discount, this might not be the night to roll with Bryant in your lineup.
