This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA follows up a busy Tuesday with just six games on the schedule Wednesday. There are still a couple of exciting matchups, though, including the Thunder hosting the Jazz and the Nuggets taking on the Mavericks. We also have another opportunity to win some cash on Yahoo, so here are some players to consider for your entry, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Trae Young, ATL vs. NY ($45): The Hawks sure needed a day off Tuesday after going to double-overtime against the Hornets on Monday. Young had a strong performance in the victory, scoring 53.8 Yahoo points across 44 minutes. This is a great matchup for him to keep things rolling against the Knicks, who have the eighth-worst defensive rating in the league. He's destroyed them in two previous meetings this season, scoring 55.8 and 67.7 Yahoo points, respectively.
Brandon Knight, DET at PHI ($13): Bruce Brown played 37 minutes against the Knicks on Sunday with Knight unavailable because of a knee injury. However, Knight is expected to make his return for this game and now Brown is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. If Brown is unable to play, expect Knight to receive a lot of playing time. Even if Brown does take the floor, Knight might still see enough playing time to be worth considering in tournament play.
Guard to Avoid
Josh Richardson, PHI vs. DET ($20): The Sixers badly need to get some reinforcements and it seem like they will here with Richardson (concussion) set to return from a three-game absence. The problem is that he wasn't playing that well before he went down, averaging 9.6 points, four rebounds and two assists across his last nine games. Since he doesn't come at much of a discount, rolling with him is a risky proposition.
FORWARDS
John Collins, ATL vs. NY ($39): Collins has been dealing with a sore left ankle, but it's not expected to hold him out of this game. He didn't show any ill effects against the Hornets, posting 28 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks across 46 minutes. He's only appeared in one game against the Knicks this season and he certainly took advantage of the matchup, scoring 58.7 Yahoo points. Having both him and Young in your lineup could go a long way towards having a profitable night.
Bobby Portis, NY at ATL ($11): Portis has seen a slight increase in playing time lately by averaging 24 minutes across the last 10 games compared to his season average of 21 minutes a night. He's never shy about jacking up shots, so he's used his added playing time to average 14.2 points during that stretch to go along with averages of 4.6 rebounds and 0.7 blocks. The Hawks have played at the seventh-fastest pace, so if Portis can once again receive a few additional minutes, he could provide value.
Forward to Avoid
Miles Bridges, CHA at MIA ($19): Bridges has been the opposite of Portis with regards to his recent playing time. After a 14-game stretch in which he averaged 34 minutes a night, he's only averaged 27 minutes across the last three games. Add the potential for limited minutes to playing a tough Heat defense and he's not a very appealing option.
CENTERS
Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. CHA ($37): Adebayo has been excellent for the Heat down the stretch, scoring at least 41.7 Yahoo points in 10 of his last 13 games. His ability to contribute in so many areas combined with his average of 34 minutes a night leaves him with a very high floor. This is a great opportunity for him to keep things rolling since the Hornets have allowed the sixth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers.
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL vs. NY ($14): Despite not logging the same type of heavy minutes that Young and Collins did Monday, Dedmon was productive with 33.8 Yahoo points against the Hornets. It's looking less and less likely that we will see Clint Capela (heel) return this season, so expect Dedmon to be locked into the starting center job for the Hawks moving forward. It should also help his cause here that the Knicks have allowed the fifth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Richaun Holmes, SAC vs. NO ($21): After sitting out for two months with a shoulder injury, the Kings have eased Holmes back into action. He's logged 19 minutes in each of his previous two games and figures to be on a minutes restriction again Wednesday. Despite this favorable matchup, he's someone to keep out of your entry.
