This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Wednesday brings a nine-game slate with virtually every top-tier superstar in action. A couple of games particularly primed for major fantasy production are on tap as well, namely Celtics-Thunder, Rockets-Clippers and Kings-Pelicans. With so much to choose from at nearly every position, we'll stay away from the obvious and try instead to dig up a nice array of bargains and solid mid-tier options that can allow the flexibility to fit in some of the many studs available.
GUARD
Jeff Teague, ATL at DET ($24) - With the plethora of choices at the position, Teague is almost certain to go very low-owned, making him an interesting play for tournaments at his very modest price. He's been playing very well of late, scoring between 38.9 and 41.2 fantasy points in three of the four games prior to Sunday's blowout of the Pacers, when Teague still managed a fantasy point per minute (22.4 fantasy points in 22 minutes). He also blew up the Pistons to the tune of 49.7 fantasy points in their last meeting on Dec. 23 and figures to remain aggressive in what should be a competitive, back-and-forth battle.
Zach LaVine, MIN at MEM ($21) - LaVine demonstrated why he can be a bit nerve-wracking to roster in his most recent game, when he totaled 33.6 fantasy points against the Suns after tallying just 21.4 and 14.7 in the two games prior. At his price, however, the Timberwolves' two-guard is worth a look Wednesday against a Grizzlies defense giving up the third-most three-point attempts (7.7), second-most three-pointers (2.8), eighth-highest field-goal percentage on three-pointers (36.4) and ninth-most points (21.2) per game to shooting guards this season.
Guard to Avoid:
Wesley Matthews, DAL at CLE ($19) - After it appeared he'd finally broken through during a late February stretch of games, Matthews is back to struggling heavily from the field. He's posted fantasy point totals of 5.0, 13.2 and 13.5 in three of the last four games. He's also shot under 30 percent twice and under 15 percent once in three of the last six, while coming up completely empty from the field on six attempts versus the Clippers on Mar. 7. Even at a reasonable price, Matthews is an avoid candidate against a tough Cavs defense.
FORWARD
Evan Fournier, ORL at CHA ($24) - Fournier has been playing well for an extended stretch, save for a couple of outlier performances, yet his price remains below his level of production. He exploded for 30 points versus the Nuggets on Tuesday, a total that included another five three-pointers. Fournier has now drained at least one trey in 18 consecutive games, and has scored over 30 fantasy points in four of the last five. He draws the right matchup Wednesday as well, as the Hornets surrender the third-most fantasy points (41.65), ninth-most points (19.4), second-most threes (2.5) and seventh-highest field-goal percentage (44.0) per game to small forwards this season.
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. ORL ($20) - Williams is another player whose price refuses to budge, despite the fact that he's scored over 30 fantasy points in three of the last five, and 28.0 and 28.9 in the other two games. The big man has also used his deft shooting touch to drain at least one-three pointer in a 20 consecutive games, including multiple threes in four of the last five. Much like Fournier on the other side of the court, Williams could hardly draw a better individual matchup Wednesday, as the Magic surrender the second-most threes (1.7), fourth-most points (21.6) and most assists (3.7) per game to power forwards.
Forward to Avoid:
Kevin Love, CLE vs. DAL ($33) - Love has taken on a reduced role on offense in recent games, scoring between 20.3 and 29.7 fantasy points in four of the last five games. Those totals would be perfectly acceptable if Love was priced about $8-$10 cheaper, but they are a bit underwhelming at his current price. With Aaron Gordon ($31), Dirk Nowitzki ($27), Kristaps Porzingis ($26) and Gorgui Dieng ($24) all at better prices and with solid matchups, Love is best to steer clear of Wednesday.
CENTER
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. CHI ($27) - Gortat sits at an affordable price point and in a highly exploitable matchup Wednesday. Pau Gasol (knee) will miss a second consecutive game, and the Bulls are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points (49.24) and fourth-most rebounds (15.5) per game to centers. Gortat did struggle through two forgettable performances recently, tallying 15.3 and 4.4 fantasy points versus the Jazz and Nuggets, respectively, but he played a total of 26 minutes over that pair of contests. He came back with 28.2 fantasy points versus the Pistons on Monday, and had posted totals of 31.5, 40.4 and 54.5 fantasy points in three of the five games prior to his pair of clunkers.
Enes Kanter, OKC at BOS ($16) - Kanter has been drastically outperforming his current price, averaging 17.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game over his last four, and scoring between 26.4 and 36.9 fantasy points over his last five. That span includes three games with double-digit rebounds, as Kanter has found a way to remain heavily involved despite still playing a relatively modest number of minutes. Considering his matchup against a Celtics defense ranked in the bottom 10 in fantasy points, points and rebounds allowed per game to centers, Kanter is an excellent value play on the big slate.
Center to Avoid:
Zaza Pachulia, DAL at CLE ($18) - Pachulia is best avoided Wednesday, considering the matchup and the fact that he's not even guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. Coach Rick Carlisle's experiment of inserting Raymond Felton in place of Pachulia on Monday worked well against the Hornets, and left the big man with just six minutes of playing time. The Cavs also check in as the stingiest unit in the league against centers, allowing only 41.71 fantasy points per game.
