This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There will be no shortage of action in the NBA on Wednesday with nine games on the schedule. Let's dive right into the matchups and highlight some players to consider on Yahoo, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Caris LeVert, IND vs. SAC ($38): Despite suffering an ugly loss to the Wizards on Monday in which they allowed 154 points, at least the Pacers received another strong showing from LeVert. He took a whopping 28 shot attempts, finishing with 33 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. If Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) sits out again, LeVert could thrive against a Kings team that has the worst defensive rating in the league.
Delon Wright, SAC at IND ($12): The Kings don't have many healthy options left at guard, which forced Wright to start and play 37 minutes against the Thunder on Tuesday. He certainly stepped up, scoring 60.0 Yahoo points in the team's victory. With Tyrese Haliburton (knee) out for the season and De'Aaron Fox still in the health and safety protocols, Wright could once again provide significant value.
Guard to Avoid
Ben Simmons, PHI at HOU ($29): Simmons has been a disappointment in fantasy down the stretch, averaging just 11.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists over his last 15 games. He only averaged 29 minutes a game during that stretch, which is four fewer minutes than his overall mark for the season. In addition to that, he's only averaged 7.8 shot attempts, which is down from 10.1 for the season. If the Sixers race out to an early lead against the tanking Rockets, Simmons could once again see reduced playing time.
FORWARDS
Domantas Sabonis, IND vs. SAC ($46): Sabonis has been a monster since returning from a back injury, scoring 67.8 and 71.3 Yahoo points, respectively, across two games. Not only did he grabbed 19 rebounds in both contests, but he dished out a total of 23 assists with Brogdon out. If Brogdon sits again, we could be looking at another gaudy stat line from Sabonis.
Cedi Osman, CLE vs. POR ($17): With the Cavaliers dealing with injuries, Osman has averaged 35 minutes over the last six games. He cashed in his added playing time for averages of 14.8 points, 4.2 assists, 4.8 assists and 1.0 steals. If Darius Garland (ankle) is forced to miss his third straight contest, then Osman could once again be looking at heavy playing time in what is a favorable matchup against a Blazers team that has the second-worst defensive rating.
Forward to Avoid
John Collins, ATL vs. PHO ($24): Collins' first season playing alongside Clint Capela has seen a drastic decrease in his production. He's averaging 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, which is down from 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds last season. He's averaged three fewer minutes per game and checks in with a pedestrian 22.2 percent usage rate. Facing a Suns team that has the fifth-best defensive rating makes it difficult to justify taking a chance on Collins.
CENTERS
Jonas Valanciunas, MEM at MIN ($31): The Timberwolves are a team to target with centers given that they have allowed the third-most Yahoo points per game to the position. That could lead to disastrous results against Valanciunas, who is in the midst of a career season with averages of 16.8 points and 12.4 rebounds. He's faced them twice this season, scoring 49.7 and 32.2 Yahoo points, respectively.
Taj Gibson, NY at DEN ($12): The Knicks are running out of centers. Already without Mitchell Robinson (foot) for the rest of the season, Nerlens Noel (ankle) joined him on the sidelines Monday against the Grizzlies. Gibson started and logged 33 minutes in his absence, scoring 37.4 Yahoo points along the way. With another heavy dose of minutes likely coming his way in the event that Noel sits again, Gibson could be worth a look in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI vs. BOS ($18): Carter was playing well after being acquired from the Bulls, but an ankle injury has derailed his progress. He's only averaged 23 minutes across six games since suffering the injury, scoring 24.4 Yahoo points or fewer five times. Mo Bamba has performed well during that same stretch, and with the Magic going nowhere fast, there's a low probability that they have Carter log heavy minutes in this contest.
