This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Entering the third week of the season, we're starting to gain an idea of team's strengths and weaknesses in defending certain positions. While it's important not to put too much stock in trends this early, it still certainly helps us take the temperature of the league so far. We'll take that information and use it to our advantage in finding bargains in Yahoo! Daily Fantasy Basketball.
GUARD
Elfrid Payton, ORL vs. LAL ($23) - The Los Angeles Lakers are giving up an astounding 11.2 assists per game to opposing team's point guards this year, the most in the league by nearly two. Overall, they allow the second-most points in the league at 110.7 per game. Payton will get his opportunity to pick apart the Lakers' spotty defense in Wednesday's welcoming matchup. He averages 9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.9 dimes, 1.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, 0.5 threes and 2.6 turnovers in almost 30 minutes per game. He has a nice opportunity to perform well above those averages at an affordable price in this contest.
Khris Middleton, MIL at DEN ($24) - Denver is giving up the second most FPPG to opposing team's' shooting guards this year. Middleton is putting up an efficient 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.9 triples in 35 minutes per game. A career 46.7 percent shooter, Middleton is only hitting on only 38.4 percent of his shots this season. This favorable matchup is a nice opportunity for Middleton to start trending toward the mean in his field-goal percentage, resulting in more buckets for the Bucks.
Guard to Avoid:
T.J. McConnell, PHI vs. TOR ($21) - Toronto has been stingy versus opposing team's point guards this season. That combined with teammate Isaiah Canaan's stellar performance recently makes McConnell a risky play. Also, he's yet to total double figures in any game this season, meaning he relies heavily on assists for his fantasy points. Due to Toronto's lock-down defense, I'm not willing to put my faith in his teammates converting on those assist opportunities, especially if Nerlens Noel is out again due to a sore wrist.
FORWARD
Draymond Green, GS at MEM ($31) -Draymond Green can fill up a stat sheet as well as any player in the league. To date, he's averaging 11.1 points, 7.9 boards, 6.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.6 triples in 33 minutes per game. He simply does it all. Memphis is already giving up the ninth most FPPG to opposing power forwards, and Green likely will be defended by Zach Randolph, who has a calf injury.
Thaddeus Young, BKN at HOU ($24) - The Nets are not an exciting team to watch this season, but that should not affect picking players from their team if they're performing effectively. Thaddeus Young is doing just that. He's coming off his best game of the year, scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 points and two steals in 39 minutes in Milwaukee. Houston is giving up the second-most FPPG to opposing power forwards, and Young should have ample opportunity to load up on points and rebounds in this contest. His price seems like a bargain given his potential in this game.
Forward to Avoid:
Rudy Gay, SAC vs. DET ($34) - Detroit allows the seventh-fewest points per game this season at 96.1 per game. They also give up the fourth-fewest points per game to opposing team's small forwards at 15.4 per game. Combining those numbers with coach George Karl mentioning recently that Gay needs to be in better shape, and there's reasonable cause for concern in drafting him Wednesday. If you're going to spend $34 on a player, this matchup simply feels like there is more risk than potential reward.
CENTER
Jared Sullinger, BOS vs IND ($20) - Sullinger played his best games of the season Friday, putting up 21 points, eight boards, three assists, one steal, two blocks and three triples in just 22 minutes a game. Coach Brad Stevens has been known to be inconsistent with his frontcourt rotations early on this season, but Sullinger has been playing the best. This may be one of the last opportunities you have to grab Sullinger at his $20 asking price.
Center to Avoid:
Festus Ezeli, GS at MEM ($16) - Ezili has been a nice surprise early on this season. However, with Andrew Bogut back, there likely will be less opportunity for him to produce like he has. Also, Memphis is giving up the eighth-fewest points to opposing centers this season. While his price is reasonable, don't expect him to continue with his current FPPG average.
