This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a quiet Tuesday, the NBA bounces back with 12 games on the schedule Wednesday. With so many options to consider, let's get right to it and highlight a couple of players at each position to target, as well as a few to avoid.
GUARDS
Zach LaVine, CHI vs. MIN ($41): One of the lone bright spots in the Bulls' 16-29 start has been the play of LaVine. He's put the team on his back on several occasions, including against the Cavaliers on Saturday when he scored 42 points on his way to a 73.7-point night on Yahoo. With the Timberwolves playing at the seventh-fastest pace and allowing the sixth-most points per game in the league, the sky is the limit for LaVine in this matchup.
De'Anthony Melton, MEM at BOS ($11): This game has blowout written all over it with the Celtics getting healthy and playing extremely well at home. That could mean added minutes in garbage time for Melton. Despite continuing to log limited minutes off the bench, he's scored at least 25 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. Any added playing time that he could garner here would be huge.
Guard to Avoid
Jordan McRae, WAS at MIA ($25): The Wizards have been crushed by injuries this season, which has often left McRae with not only added playing time, but added scoring responsibilities. However, with the team finally starting to get healthy, he's now played 25 minutes or fewer in four straight games. Since he didn't score more than 27.3 Yahoo points in any of those contests, it's difficult to justify adding him to your entry at this price.
FORWARDS
DeMar DeRozan, SA at NO ($38): Few players have been as productive lately as DeRozan has been. He's been the driving force behind the Spurs, scoring at least 42.2 Yahoo points in seven straight games. During that stretch, he's posted stellar averages of 26.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.7 steals. Now he'll face a Pelicans team that has played at the fifth-fastest pace, which should afford him with plenty of opportunities to stuff the stat sheet again.
Michael Porter Jr., DEN at HOU ($15): Injuries have opened up added playing time for Porter and he's making his case to continue to stick in the Nuggets' rotation. He couldn't have looked much better against the Timberwolves on Monday, posting 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and a block over 30 minutes. Across his last four games, he's averaged 16.8 points, 10 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals. There is certainly some risk involved with him based on his uncertain playing time on a nightly basis, but at this cheap price, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Zion Williamson, NO vs. SA ($27): The long-awaited debut of Williamson is finally here. The top pick in last year's draft has been sidelined all season with a knee injury, but is expected to make his debut in this game. This one seems pretty straight forward with regards to avoiding him in DFS. He is expected to be on a minutes limit and isn't cheap, so look elsewhere.
CENTERS
Rudy Gobert, UTA at GS ($39): The Warriors have struggled mightily against opposing centers, allowing the eighth-most Yahoo points per game to the position. Gobert has already faced them three times this season, scoring at least 42 Yahoo points each time. He even topped 50 Yahoo points twice. As far as safe options go, Gobert is right up there with the best of them based on this matchup.
Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. WAS ($34): In terms of cheap center options, there are surprisingly not many appealing options despite the busy slate. It might be wise to spend up at the position. If you do want to fade Gobert and at least save a few bucks, look no further than Adebayo. He's scored at least 37.7 Yahoo points in seven of his last eight games and will be facing a Wizards team that has allowed the 10th-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. PHI ($26): When the Raptors were hit hard by injuries, they needed Ibaka to step up in a big way. He did just that, helping them remain among the best teams in the Eastern Conference. However, with Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol now healthy, Ibaka has scored 25.1 Yahoo points or fewer in four straight games. Expect him to continue to play limited minutes off the bench in this contest, making him far too pricey to add to your entry.
