Yahoo DFS Basketball: Wednesday Picks

Yahoo DFS Basketball: Wednesday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.

The NBA follows up their marquee Christmas Day slate with 10 games on the schedule Wednesday. Several of the top teams won't be in action, but there are still plenty of elite DFS options with the Pelicans, Timberwolves and Raptors all set to take the floor. Let's examine some players to target and avoid across the price scale as you build your entry.

GUARDS

De'Aaron Fox, SAC at LAC ($33): Fox is rolling right now, scoring at least 43.4 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. The only time he didn't reach that threshold during that time frame was when the Kings barely played their starters in a blowout loss to the Timberwolves. Both the Kings and the Clippers are in the top-nine in the league in pace of play, so this could be a high scoring game in which Fox thrives. The last time these two teams met, he scored 41.1 Yahoo points.

Monte Morris, DEN at SA ($13): The Nuggets continue to be decimated by injuries, which has opened up a prominent role for Morris. Even though he's still not starting, he has a 19.4 percent usage rate across his last nine games, averaging 13.3 points during that stretch. He's scored at least 25.7 Yahoo points in six straight games and has a relatively high floor considering his role and cheap price tag.

Guard to Avoid

Trae Young, ATL vs. IND ($20): Young hasn't exactly been terrible lately, scoring at least 30.4 Yahoo points in three of his last six games. He's shooting an unsightly 38 percent from the field during his rookie campaign, which has limited him to 15.4 points per game despite his 27.9 percent usage rate. This is a tough matchup against a Pacers team that has allowed the fewest points per game (100.6), so this might not be the best time to deploy Young in your entry.

FORWARDS

Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM vs. CLE ($20): Jackson normally comes with some risk based on his propensity to get into foul trouble. However, if he didn't have that risk, he probably wouldn't be priced this low. His 13.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this season might not jump off the page, but he's certainly helped his value on the defensive end with 0.9 steals and 1.8 blocks per contest. With at least 31.2 Yahoo points in five of his last seven games, Jackson could be in line for another productive outing Wednesday against a Cavaliers squad that is extremely thin up front due to injuries.

Rodions Kurucs, BKN vs. CHA ($12): Speaking of injuries, Allen Crabbe (knee) will be out again for this contest. He's missed each of the last six games for the Nets, which has opened up a starting role for Kurucs. It's going to be hard for the Nets to scale back his playing time once Crabbe returns considering he's averaged 12.8 points and five rebounds in that role. He's even scored at least 32 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests, leaving him with some appeal at just over the minimum price.

Forward to Avoid

Josh Jackson, PHO at ORL ($18): Jackson is averaging almost four fewer minutes per game compared this year compared to his rookie season. His shooting percentage is also down at 38.3 percent, which has limited him to 8.9 points per game. The trade of Trevor Ariza didn't open up any playing time for him, either, considering the Suns received Kelly Oubre Jr. in the deal. The Magic play at the fourth-slowest pace (98.3 possessions per game) in the league, which could make it difficult for Jackson to provide value at this price.

CENTERS

Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at CHI ($41): Towns has been fairly quiet lately with 38.6 Yahoo points or fewer in three straight games. However, this matchup against the Bulls brings a prime opportunity for him to have a huge performance. The Bulls allow the most Yahoo points per game (55) to opposing centers by a wide margin. The first time these two teams met this year, Towns exploded for 70.4 Yahoo points. Don't expect the Bulls to be able to slow him down in their rematch.

Cody Zeller, CHA at BKN ($14): It's hard to get overly excited about Zeller. He's stayed healthy and is starting for the Hornets, but he's only averaging 25 minutes a game. His 14.6 percent usage rate is also the lowest mark of his career. However, if you want to go really cheap at center in tournament play, don't sleep on Zeller. The Nets have allowed second-most Yahoo points per game (52.1) to opposing centers, so he might be able to provide valuable returns.

Center to Avoid

Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. TOR ($18): It feels like Adebayo's price should be falling, but he's listed at $18 for the fifth straight game. His price jumped up considerably when he was starting in place of Hassan Whiteside, but he has since returned to his normal role with the second unit. As a result, he's scored 21.1 Yahoo points or fewer in each of his last four contests.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Mike Barner plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mbarner, DraftKings: mbarner51.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Barner
Mike started covering fantasy sports in 2007, joining RotoWire in 2010. In 2018, he was a finalist for the FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Mike also won the 2022-23 FSGA NBA Experts Champions league. In addition to RotoWire, Mike has written for Sportsline, Sports Illustrated, DK Live, RealTime Fantasy Sports, Lineup Lab and KFFL.com.
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