This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are no tricks, just treats Wednesday with seven games on the NBA schedule. If you're looking for the game that is the equivalent of finding the house that is giving out full sized candy bars, look no further than a matchup between the Warriors and Pelicans. Here are some players to consider, and some potentially spooky ones to avoid, as you create what will hopefully be a winning Halloween entry on Yahoo.
GUARDS
Jrue Holiday, NO at GS ($37): The Pelicans were without both Anthony Davis (elbow) and Elfrid Payton (ankle) in their last game Monday against the Nuggets, a contest in which Holiday played 35 minutes and scored 40.1 Yahoo points. Payton has already been ruled out for Wednesday and Davis is listed as questionable. If they both don't play again, expect Holiday to have a significant usage rate. Even if Davis does take the floor, Holiday should have more opportunities to rack up assists with Payton out.
Dennis Smith Jr., DAL at LAL ($22): The Mavericks have relied on Smith for offense in the early going with his 26.3 percent usage rate ranked highest on the team. His assists are slightly down with Luka Doncic now in the fold, but he's not exactly struggling in that area with 4.5 assists per game. The Lakers play at the fourth-fastest pace (106.4 possessions per game) in the league, leaving Smith with the potential for added value Wednesday.
Guard to Avoid
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. DAL ($21): The addition of Rajon Rondo has torpedoed Ball's value so far. Ball put together some meaty stat lines when Rondo was suspended, but he's scored a combined 15.6 Yahoo points in the two games since Rondo returned. With his limited role off the bench, there just isn't enough upside to justify paying this much to get Ball into your lineup.
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, GS vs. NO ($49):Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have grabbed a lot of the headlines in the early going with some masterful three-point shooting displays, but Durant has been stellar, as well. He hasn't scored fewer than 31.3 Yahoo points in any game this season and he's already topped at least 53.1 Yahoo points four times. With his 29.8 percent usage rate that is second on the team to Curry (31.4 percent), Durant should have a tremendously high floor again in this contest.
Trey Lyles, DEN at CHI ($11): There are a ton of great high-priced options available Wednesday, so you're going to need to take chances with really cheap options if you want to pair some of the top talents together. Lyles, who has scored at least 21.3 Yahoo points in four straight games, is someone to consider to provide budget relief. The Bulls have been horrible defensively and are dealing with several key injuries, so Lyles could even get some added minutes if this game gets out of hand early.
Forward to Avoid
Trevor Ariza, PHO vs. SA ($19): Ariza's 44.1 Yahoo points in his first game of the season seem like a distant memory. It's been all downhill for him since, scoring 18.5 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games. Lyles has similar upside and is priced eight dollars cheaper, leaving Ariza as someone to pass over when creating your entry.
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET at BKN ($43): The Nets must hate seeing Drummond walk onto the court. In four games against the Nets last season, Drummond averaged 14.8 points, 18.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. In his first game against them this year, he destroyed them for 24 points, 20 rebounds and a block. He won't come cheap, but Drummond has the potential for a monster performance.
Noah Vonleh, NY vs. IND ($11): In a bit of a surprising move, the Knicks have moved Enes Kanter to their second unit and inserted Vonleh into the starting lineup for their last two games. Although he hasn't been tremendously productive, Vonleh did score at least 27 Yahoo points in both contests. At near the minimum price, he's someone to consider in tournament play if you want to save money at center.
Center to Avoid
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. UTA ($37): Towns is coming off of his best game of the season, scoring 63.2 Yahoo points against the Lakers on Monday. The Lakers are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, so he'll face a much tougher opponent in the Jazz on Wednesday. Rudy Gobert is arguably the best defensive center, leaving Towns as a risky option at this expensive price.
