This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Wednesday not only brings a busy 12-game slate, but it's also one with an early start time. The first game of the day tips off at 4:30 PM EDT when the Timberwolves host the Bucks. That means you'll need to get your Yahoo lineups in early, so let's get right to it. Here are some players who could thrive based on their matchups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, WAS at SAC ($55): Westbrook is on an insane heater right now, posting a triple-double in nine of his last 10 games. During that stretch, he's averaged 22.5 points, 14.0 rebounds and 13.0 assists. Don't expect a Kings team that has the worst defensive rating in the league to be able to slow him down.
Reggie Jackson, LAC at DET ($14): Jackson had a fairly quiet performance against the Pacers on Tuesday, scoring 23 Yahoo points across 29 minutes. Before that, he had scored at least 27.5 Yahoo points in three of his previous four games. Kawhi Leonard (foot) and Patrick Beverley (hand) are battling injuries right now, and this is the second game of a back-to-back set. Since it also comes against a vastly inferior team, the Clippers could rest a few players, creating added opportunities for Jackson to be productive.
Guard to Avoid
Eric Bledsoe, NO vs. NY ($19): Even with the Pelicans battling injuries at guard, Bledsoe still hasn't been able to get much going. He's scored 23.9 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games, continuing a disappointing season in which he's averaged only 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists. A matchup against a Knicks team with the third-best defensive rating in the league isn't exactly an ideal situation for him to break out of his slump.
FORWARDS
Julius Randle, NY at NO ($47): This should be a fun matchup between Randle and Zion Williamson. Both players could emerge with juicy stat lines, but Randle is the safer play. Not only are the Knicks one of the best defensive teams in the league, but the Pelicans have struggled mightily in that area, recording the fourth-worst defensive rating.
Jalen McDaniels, CHA vs. CLE ($14): The Hornets didn't have many healthy players available to them Tuesday against the Lakers, which propelled McDaniels to score 31.1 Yahoo points across 40 minutes. It's unclear if P.J. Washington (ankle) or Terry Rozier (knee) will be able to play in this game, but even if they do, McDaniels has likely earned himself more playing time, scoring at least 30 Yahoo points in three of his last four games.
Forward to Avoid
Aaron Gordon, DEN vs. MIA ($21): It was a tough day for the Nuggets on Tuesday with the news that Jamal Murray suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. That's a crushing blow for a team that added Gordon at the trade deadline to make a push for a championship. Even with Murray out, it probably won't mean a significant increase in Gordon's production, who has scored 22.9 Yahoo points or fewer in five straight games.
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. BKN ($49): The Sixers and Nets are tied for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, so this is a noteworthy game. Grabbing the top seed likely means more for the Sixers, given that the stars on the Nets just all want to be healthy at the same time heading into the playoffs. Embiid should be highly motivated for this contest and could feast against the likes of Blake Griffin, Nicolas Claxton and DeAndre Jordan.
Wendell Carter Jr., ORL at CHI ($19): Carter makes his return to Chicago, playing much better than he did with the Bulls. Over his last seven games, he's averaged 14.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks. He also averaged 29 minutes a game during that stretch and could be forced to play even more if Mo Bamba (hip) is unable to take the floor. If you're looking to fade the top-tier center options, Carter is at least worth considering in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
Mason Plumlee, DET vs. LAC ($18): If you play season-long fantasy basketball, you know how well Plumlee has played this season. No longer in the shadows of Nikola Jokic on the Nuggets, he's averaged 10.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists with his new team. The problem is, he's starting to see his playing time dwindle, averaging just 22 minutes over his last four games. Three of them were lopsided losses, which could be a common theme for the Pistons from here on out. The risk of adding him to your entry might not be worth the potential reward.
