This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Much like an NBA game, its season is filled with runs of positive and negative momentum. Determining which players will continue their hot streaks or go cold is all part of the challenge in putting together your Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball lineups. Ahead, we will look at players likely to stay hot and others to avoid due to a potential let down.
GUARD
Robert Covington, PHI at NY ($23) - While Philadelphia has struggled mightily, to say the least, out of the gate this season, Covington has been a rare bright spot. He only played in one of his team's first nine games, but has played very well in his eight games since returning to the lineup. He has topped 30 fantasy points in each of the last five games, including a 60.9-point performance Friday in Houston. Over that five game stretch, Covington has recorded 18.0 points, 8.0 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, 3.2 triples and an astonishing 5.2 steals per game. A number so high he should be arrested for theft. Fortunately, it is only basketball so he will not be, and at discount of $23 he is a safe value play with a high ceiling Wednesday. The 76ers also will be in New York to take on the Knicks, who happen to be giving up the fifth-most FPPG to opposing team's two-guards.
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs DEN ($39) - Butler is one of the toughest and most underappreciated talents in the league. He is coming off one of his poorest performances of the year against a gritty Spurs defense (more on them shortly) and is a prime candidate for a bounce-back game. Including his last outing, where Butler only put up 23.1 fantasy points, he has averaged 37.8 FPPG over his last seven. Butler also draws a friendly matchup versus a Denver squad giving up the fourth-most FPPG to opposing shooting guards. The game will also notably be in Chicago, where Butler is has played considerably better this season. He has scored 4.43 more points per game, as well as knocked down 18 triples as opposed to four on the road in only one more home game played. Butler has the potential for a big night.
Guard to Avoid:
Khris Middleton, MIL at SA ($25) - Middleton has been heating up the last few weeks, including scoring 31.1 FPPG over his last four. He has put up 16.3 points, 5.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 3.8 triples per game during that time frame. The Bucks will continue to rely heavily on him as a scorer, given their lack of scoring threats and three-point shooters. Unfortunately, his momentum is likely to hit a halt Wednesday due to his matchup. San Antonio is giving up the fewest points in the league at 89.8 per game. Possibly the biggest reason for that is Kawhi Leonard, who is making a great early case for defensive player of the year. Leonard likely will be on either Middleton or Giannis Antetokounmpo, depending on if the Bucks go with their small-ball lineup or not. Either way, it is an unfriendly matchup for the young Buck.
FORWARD
Draymond Green, GS at CHA ($36) - Besides the reigning MVP Steph Curry, Green has been the Warriors most important and consistent player this year, leading them to an unprecedented 19-0 start to the season. The former Spartan fills up the stat sheet unlike any player in the league and is rolling with two triple-doubles in his last three games. On the season, he is averaging 13.2 points, 8.2 boards, 7.1 dimes, 1.1 steals, 1.4 blocks and 1.5 threes in 34 minutes per game. He has been one of the driving forces behind Golden State's consistent play night-to-night and will have a favorable matchup against the Hornets who are giving up the eight most FPPG to opposing power forwards so far this year. They will also be lighter in the frontcourt without their big man, Al Jefferson. Another triple-double watch for Green will be likely Wednesday.
Paul Millsap, ATL vs TOR ($40) - Giving the aforementioned Jimmy Butler a run for most underappreciated player in the league is Atlanta big man, Paul Millsap. While Millsap has been great all season, he has been especially hot lately. The veteran has scored 43.7 FPPG over his last seven contests, including scoring over 40 in six of them. He was held to only 25.6 in one of those games against, you guessed it, San Antonio. Millsap gives Draymond Green a run for his money with the way he fills up the stat sheet, recording 18.6 points, 9.6 boards, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 threes per game. He draws an encouraging matchup Wednesday against a Toronto team with a shallow frontcourt, due to Jonas Valanciunas being injured. It is reasonable to expect another big night from Millsap.
Forward to Avoid:
Danilo Gallinari, DEN at CHI ($30) - Gallinari has been hit or miss on the season, and a matchup in Chicago does not bode well for his chances to hit. Anytime you take a player like Gallinari, you want to catch him on a night when he can go off, and Wednesday appears to be a disadvantageous matchup. He will be defended by Jimmy Butler, who can defend equally as well, if not better, than he can score the rock. Chicago only gives up 98.3 points per game, and Denver will have more favorable matchups to focus on than Gallinari. While it is possible he could heat up, $30 can likely be spent more wisely Wednesday.
CENTER
Tim Duncan, SA vs MIL ($22) - After beginning the season priced too high, Duncan has fallen enough to make him a value pick at this point. He has played well recently, including a 10-point, 18-rebound game versus Atlanta on Saturday. Thanksgiving may be over, but Duncan will have an opportunity to feast on more rebounds against the Bucks, who are the league's worst rebounding team. Given his age, Duncan has been reliable on the year, only missing one game. In the process, he is nearly averaging a double-double with 9.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He is chipping in a healthy 1.7 blocks as well. The timeless veteran should have every opportunity to perform at, or above, his price at home against Milwaukee.
Center to Avoid:
Jahlil Okafor, PHI at NY ($30) - The rookie has a lot of negative outside attention on his plate, which appears to be affecting his performance. He has struggled in his three games since being involved in a scuffle with a heckling fan outside a Boston nightclub only one week ago. The scuffle has brought to light other sketchy events Okafor has been involved in since being drafted by the 76ers. He has failed to reach 30 fantasy points in his three game since the incident. While he will likely bust out of his slump at some point in the near future, his $30 price tag is not worth that risk Wednesday.
