This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
It is hard to believe the NBA season is already a quarter of the way through. Small sample sized observations are now either turning into reality or fading away. In Yahoo! NBA daily games, it is now time to start taking more weight in the numbers that have been accumulated this season. Whether it is individual or team stats, they help create a picture of the league. Ahead, we will look at players with favorable matchups, and others with disadvantageous situations.
Guards
Isaiah Thomas, BOS vs. CHI ($36) - The Pizza Guy has delivered at least 30 fantasy points in seven straight games. It is likely not a coincidence that his hot stretch has coincided with the absence of Marcus Smart from Boston's lineup. The Celtics rely heavily on Thomas for much of their offensive production, and he has been as reliable a point producer as anyone in the league. On the season, he is averaging 21.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.2 triples in 31 minutes per game. Thomas draws a favorable matchup Wednesday against the Bulls, who are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season.
Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. LAL ($29) - If you really wanted to simplify the process of creating your lineup, a great place to start would be picking whichever point guard is playing the Lakers. Los Angeles is giving up the fourth-most points in the league at 105.5 per game, and more fantasy points to opposing point guards than any other team. The Kobe Bryant retirement tour has put developing young talented guards like D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson on the back burner, and the result has been a feast for opposing guards. In addition to the encouraging matchup, Rubio finally seems to be over the ankle injury that had been slowing him down, as he is averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.5 threes in 31 minutes per game over his last two.
Guard to Avoid
Jimmy Butler, CHI at BOS ($39) - Speaking of Kobe Bryant, he recently revealed who his "Kobe stopper," or toughest defender to play against, during his career was. The culprit was none other than Avery Bradley of the Boston Celtics. Bradley has been known for his defensive pedigree for a while now, and is still in his prime. Butler, a top notch defender himself, will be guarded by Bradley on Wednesday. He has had a very nice season so far, averaging 20.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.4 threes in 37 minutes per game. However, given his top-tier price, it will be hard to expect him to put up the caliber of line to make paying that price worth while.
Forwards
Tobias Harris, ORL at PHO ($28) - Harris' backup, Aaron Gordon, sprained his ankle in Sunday's practice and was unable to play Tuesday. Gordon is likely to miss at least one more game while Orlando gives him time to fully heal. This should result in an expanded workload for Harris, who is averaging 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 threes in 33 minutes per game. The Magic will face off against a Suns squad allowing the fifth-most points per game this season (105.2), so in a game that has the potential to be a shootout, Harris has an opportunity to produce well above price tag.
Derrick Favors, UTA vs. NY ($35) - With Rudy Gobert sidelined due to an MCL sprain, Favors becomes the man in the middle for Utah. Albeit in a small sample size, he has averaged 42.05 fantasy points in the two games with Gobert out. That being said, he's been good all season, averaging 17.5 points, 8.9 boards, 1.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 32 minutes per game. Utah will welcome the Knicks to town, and Favors will likely be defended by Robin Lopez. The advantageous matchup, as well as an increased usage due to Gobert's injury, will give Favors an opportunity to continue supplying healthy stat lines. He is a safe play with a high ceiling, which makes him a value in any type of format.
Forward to Avoid
Kristaps Porzingis, NY at UTA ($34) - Among all the remarkable rookie performances this season, Porzingis' may be the most surprising. He was expected to need time to develop but has instead jumped right into the swing of things. Correlating with that success has been a rise in his price tag up to $34. While that is reasonable based on his production, this matchup does not bode well. The Jazz have been notably stingy on defense, holding teams to the third-fewest points per game league-wide (95.9). Likely to be a popular play, ignoring Porzingis on Wednesday could result in a quick head start on owners who take the rookie, as Porzingis faces a tough tilt in Utah.
Center
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at MIL ($30) - Jordan has been rather inconsistent this season, which makes him a tricky play for daily leagues. He has been the type of boom-or-bust player who can make or break your lineup. Fortunately, this matchup is a favorable one for Jordan. The Bucks have failed to cash in on their preseason expectations and have really struggled rebounding. In fact, they have tallied the fewest rebounds per game (40.1) in the league. Jordan, who is averaging the second-most rebounds per game at 13.1, should have his way in the paint against the young Bucks. He also chips in a respectable 11.1 points and 2.6 blocks per game.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, DET vs. MEM ($46) - Drummond has had some incredible games this year, but he faces an unfavorable matchup with Memphis on Wednesday. The Grizzlies have given up the fourth-fewest points per game to opposing centers with veterans Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph manning the paint. Drummond costs $11 more than the next highest priced center Wednesday, making it crucial for him having a big night if selected, something that's far from guaranteed.
