This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Nine games are on Wednesday's slate, which is slightly less than usual. However, there are still a variety of options to go for your Yahoo DFS lineups. Ahead we will look at players on hot streaks who have not had their prices catch up to their performances. Also, we will look at some players in nice situations due to injuries on their team. There are also a few players who are normally solid plays who should be avoided due to matchups and health.
GUARD
Jrue Holiday, NO at CHA ($30) - The Pelicans backcourt has been decimated by injuries this season, with Norris Cole and Jrue Holiday being the last ones standing. Holiday was on a minute restriction much of the early season, but he has been off it for about the last month. He has finally been forced to return to the starting lineups due to injuries and made an impactful return Monday against the Kings. He produced 20 points, ten assists, four rebounds, four steals, one block and one three in 36 minutes, which was good enough for 47.3 fantasy points. Holiday has always been a very talented point guard, but injuries have reflected negatively on his overall ranking among his peers. However, he is now healthy and will be running the show for the Pelicans the rest of the way. His price does not reflect his potential production for the remainder of the season. Grab him while you can.
Kyrie Irving, CLE at SAC ($32) - The Cavaliers are coming off an embarrassing loss to essentially the Grizzlies' reserve squad and will have a great opportunity for a quality bounce-back performance Wednesday. It will start with Irving, who has a great matchup against a Kings backcourt giving up the fourth most fantasy points to point guards this season. The Kings overall are giving up the most points in the league at 109.4 points per game, two more than the next highest point total. Irving has been playing very well for the last month, with the exception of two dud performances. He is averaging 36.9 fantasy points over his last five games, and that should be considered his floor Wednesday considering his advantageous matchup.
Guard to Avoid:
Mario Chalmers, MEM at BOS ($13) - Mike Conley is expected to miss this game, and many may go with Chalmers as a cheap value play, especially because he has been playing pretty well recently. However, this is a brutal matchup for Chalmers, and a good time to fade the public. No team is better at defending point guards than the Celtics, as they give up the fewest fantasy points to the position. It may be wise to look elsewhere for cheap guard plays.
FORWARD
JaMychal Green, MEM at BOS ($10) - The Celtics' frontcourt is nowhere near as good defensively as their backcourt in terms of fantasy points allowed. Green is coming off a career game Monday, when he posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block, which was good for 48 fantasy points. He got a lot more usage because Zach Randolph was being rested, but he should still get plenty of action Wednesday. With Chris Andersen and Brandon Wright already ruled out, Green will only have Ryan Hollins to battle for minutes. Given his minimum price and potential output, Green is potentially the biggest value play Wednesday. He should be able to help you fit an extra stud player in your lineup without sacrificing production.
Jabari Parker, MIL vs MIA ($22) - Some of the biggest buzz around the league in recent weeks has been the Bucks allowing Giannis Antetokounmpo the freedom to run point for the Bucks. The results have been remarkable, and the Greek Freak is still not priced high enough and likely will be highly owned Wednesday. However, fewer have noticed how much Parker has benefitted from Antetokounmpo's new role with the team. Since the All-Star break, when the Bucks made their adjustments, Parker has averaged 31.6 fantasy points per game. Over that time frame he has posted 21.7 points, 7.4 boards, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.4 blocks per game. Those kind of numbers belong to a player with a higher price tag, and the star forward shows no sign of slowing. Ride the young Bucks' momentum until they either cool off or their prices catch up to the production.
Forward to Avoid:
Draymond Green, GS vs UTA ($41) - Suggesting to avoid Green is no easy task, as I very much admire his ability to stuff a stat sheet. However, he has a difficult matchup Wednesday and has played a little sluggishly recently while battling an illness. No team gives up fewer fantasy points to power forwards than the Jazz this season, due to their twin towers in Derrick Favors and Rudy Golbert. Green began battling an illness over the weekend, and his numbers have backed it up. He averaged only 29.9 fantasy points over his previous two contests and should have a tough time breaking out Wednesday. There are simply better options at the position.
Center
Dwight Howard, HOU at PHI ($31) - Howard has been quietly solid the past few weeks and draws a favorable matchup Wednesday. He is averaging 36.8 fantasy points over his last seven games, posting a healthy 16.9 points, 12.6 boards, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks. He will have a great chance to continue his recent stellar play when he matches up against a dismal Philadelphia frontcourt. The 76ers give up the most fantasy points per game to centers and the second most to power forwards. The only thing that could potentially alter a big night from Howard is foul trouble or a blow out.
Center to Avoid:
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at MIL ($33) - The are not any obviously bad options at center on Wednesday, but Whiteside may be the riskiest. He is questionable entering the game due to a stomach illness, and if even if he plays, we do not know how much the illness will affect his performance. It might be best to avoid the young big man.
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