This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA bounces back from a quiet four-game slate Tuesday with 11 games on the docket Wednesday. With so many options to consider, let's get right to it and discuss some of the better players to target, as well as a few to avoid, when creating your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Luka Doncic, DAL vs. GS ($51): Doncic exploded for 42 points while recording a triple-double against the Spurs in his last game, leaving him with a whopping 68.2 Yahoo points. He already has six triple-doubles this season and is averaging 29.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists. With the Warriors allowing the fifth-most points per game in the league, the only thing that might be able to slow down Doncic is if the Mavericks race out to a big lead. He could end up spending some added time on the bench in the fourth quarter.
Alec Burks, GS at DAL ($15): With D'Angelo Russell (thumb) out, there is a gaping hole within the Warriors' offense. The best candidate to step up in his place is likely Burks, who scored 29 points on 15 shot attempts against the Grizzlies on Tuesday. While he's had the occasional poor showing, he's largely performed well, averaging 18 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists across his last eight games. At this price, he has the potential to provide tremendous value.
Guard to Avoid
Patrick Beverley, LAC vs. BOS ($15): This could be a low-scoring affair between two of the better defensive teams in the league. Beverley is one of the keys to the Clippers' defense, but he's not much of a scorer with his 13.3 percent usage rate. He's only topped 30 Yahoo points in a game one time all season, so there just isn't enough upside to be excited about him considering the bevy of options this busy slate provides.
FORWARDS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at ATL ($57): If there is an area of concern with Giannis, it's that he's become a turnover machine, averaging 4.8 of them through 13 games. Still, it's difficult to complain about a guy who is averaging 30.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. While extremely pricey, his floor is also among the highest of any player at any position, especially with Khris Middleton (quadriceps) out.
Davis Bertans, WAS vs. SA ($11): Bertans has carved out a significant role off the bench for the Wizards, averaging a career-high 28 minutes a game. Add in the Wizards playing at the sixth-fastest pace in the league and he has the potential to provide the occasional strong stat line. He scored 29.9 Yahoo points against the Spurs earlier this season and has scored at least 27.5 Yahoo points in two of his last three contests, overall, making him a viable target in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
P.J. Tucker, HOU at DEN ($18): Tucker's playing time certainly isn't a problem since he is averaging 35 minutes a game. However, he's on the Rockets to play defense, which has left him with a minuscule 9.4 percent usage rate. That's not low because of a small sample size, either, considering he had a 9.5 percent usage rate last season. There's no need to take a chance on him at this price with the other options that are on the board.
CENTERS
Clint Capela, HOU at DEN ($32): Capela has been a man possessed on the glass, hauling in at least 20 rebounds in four straight games. Not only that, but he has at least 11 points and two blocks in each of those contests. Overall, he's scored at least 41 Yahoo points in five straight games. As good as the Nuggets have been defensively, they have allowed the ninth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers. There are plenty of big names available at the five, but don't sleep on Capela.
Willie Cauley-Stein, GS at DAL ($14): Kevon Looney appears to finally be making progress with his hamstring injury, but he's still not ready to make his return. Cauley-Stein has been starting at center in his place and playing well, scoring at least 26.5 Yahoo points in five straight games. With so little depth behind him, he should continue to receive enough playing time to make him a viable DFS candidate.
Center to Avoid
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at TOR ($38): Vucevic isn't listed here because he's done anything wrong. In fact, he's scored at least 41.4 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. However, this is a tough matchup against one of the best defensive centers in the league in Marc Gasol. When these two teams met earlier this season, Vucevic was held to 22.4 Yahoo points. Buyer beware.
