This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Injuries will once again take center stage during Wednesday's seven-game slate in the NBA. With value options galore, let's discuss some of the better players to target, as well as a few to avoid, when crafting your Yahoo lineup.
GUARDS
Jaylen Brown, BOS vs. WAS ($25): Gordon Hayward (hand) played only 15 minutes in Saturday's game against the Spurs, which enabled Brown to scored 45.9 Yahoo points across 32 minutes. With Hayward on the shelf for at last six weeks, Brown followed up that strong showing with 41.7 Yahoo points Monday against the Mavericks. He scored 25 and 30 points, respectively, in those two games and should continue to have an expanded scoring role moving forward. That could leave him with a juicy stat line against a Wizards team that has allowed the sixth-most points per game (117.5) in the league.
Ben McLemore, HOU vs. LAC ($10): The Rockets were dealt a tough blow Tuesday with the news that Eric Gordon is expected to miss at least the next four weeks due to knee surgery. To compound matters for this matchup against the Clippers, Danuel House Jr. (back) is also expected to be sidelined. All indications are that McLemore will start in his place, possibly making him a cheap tournament play to consider at the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Terry Rozier, CHA vs. MEM ($24): Rozier is the Hornets' prized offseason acquisition and he's started off by averaging 15.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. However, he turns the ball over a ton and can be extremely inconsistent from the field, which has resulted in him scoring 30 or fewer Yahoo points in six of 10 games. Until he starts to provide more consistent production, he might not be a risk worth taking.
FORWARDS
Pascal Siakam, TOR at POR ($42): The Blazers are going to have their hands full with Siakam. Their depth chart up front is a mess behind Hassan Whiteside, leaving the likes of Anthony Tolliver, Mario Hezonja and Skal Labissiere to try and slow down Siakam. He already has insane averages of 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, leaving him with an incredibly high floor.
Norman Powell, TOR at POR ($14): Staying with the Raptors, Powell has been thrust into a starting role with Kyle Lowry (thumb) out. While his production hasn't been off the charts, he has scored at least 23.8 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests. Add in OG Anunoby (eye) being sidelined for this game and Powell should receive enough playing time to be worth considering at such a cheap price.
Forward to Avoid
Robert Covington, MIN vs. SA ($21): It's difficult to be overly excited about Covington based on his role this season. He's only averaging 26 minutes a night, which would be his lowest mark since he appeared in only seven games with the Rockets in his rookie season. His limited role has kept him under 30 Yahoo points in all but two games, so it might be best to look elsewhere.
CENTERS
Thomas Bryant, WAS at BOS ($25): The Wizards don't have much talent to speak of up front, which has enabled Bryant to average 30 minutes a game. He hasn't let his added playing time go to waste by averaging 14.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a night. The Celtics have allowed the second-most rebounds per game in the league, leaving Bryant with an excellent opportunity to come away with a double-double here.
Chris Boucher, TOR at POR ($13): Lowry and Anunoby aren't the only important members of the Raptors who are sidelined right now. Serge Ibaka (ankle) has missed their last two games and will be sidelined for at least two more. Boucher played at least 22 minutes in both of the games since Ibaka went down, scoring 33.9 and 28.2 Yahoo points, respectively. With the Blazers lack of depth up front, this could be a great opportunity to deploy Boucher at such a reasonable price.
Center to Avoid
Enes Kanter, BOS vs. WAS ($14): The Celtics badly need Kanter's rebounding prowess. Unfortunately for them, he was injured in their first game of the season, forcing him to miss seven straight contests. He only logged six minutes in his return against the Mavericks on Monday and could continue to have his playing time limited in this contest. With Boucher priced a dollar cheaper, no need to overthink this one.
