This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Wednesday's slate of games involves 22 teams, so there will be plenty of players to choose from. Ahead, we will look at players with favorable matchups with good opportunities to outperform their value, as well as those with unfavorable situations. These players could be solid building blocks for Wednesday's daily basketball rosters.
GUARD
Kemba Walker, CHA at PHO ($37) - Walker must have gotten what he wanted for Christmas, because he has been playing like a new man since Christmas Day. Over his last six games, Walker has been doing it all, averaging 26.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers per game. He is currently producing like a top-tier point guard, but he is only priced as a second-tier one. Based on his matchup Wednesday, there is every reason to believe his current hot streak will continue. The Hornets will take on the Suns, who are allowing the third-most points per game in the league at 106.3. Phoenix is also giving up the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards, trailing only the dismal Lakers. With Eric Bledsoe recently sidelined for the remainder of the season, there is no reason to expect their point guard defense to trend better. Based on recent performance and matchup, Walker is as good of a play as there is Wednesday.
DeMar DeRozan, TOR at BKN ($39) - DeRozen has been very steady all season for the Raptors, though he is coming off three mediocre performances for his standards. However, he has a very advantageous matchup against the Nets, which makes it a good time to gamble on a big night. Brooklyn is allowing the most points to opposing shooting guards, and are even more shallow in the backcourt after losing Jarrett Jack for the season. Shane Larkin is not an ideal replacement, and he will have his hands full trying to slow down Kyle Lowry. With much attention likely drawn in Lowry's direction, DeRozen should see ample opportunities to produce. He will likely be defended by Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Johnson, neither of whom are known for their defensive pedigrees.
Guard to Avoid
Reggie Jackson, DET at BOS ($38) - Jackson has played well all season, though his performance has fallen off a bit recently. He has not necessarily played poorly, but he has not played up to his $38 price tag. Over Detroit's last seven games, Jackson has failed to score more than 34.1 fantasy points. When paying for somebody in his price range, you will want a player in position to produce a healthy line. While Jackson is certainly capable of going off again at some point, it is unlikely to occur Wednesday due to his matchup. The Pistons will travel to Boston to take on a Celtics squad giving up the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing point guards. The recent return of Marcus Smart is not going to make things any easier for Jackson.
FORWARD
LeBron James, CLE at WAS ($52) - Whenever you pay for a top-tier player, you want to make sure their likelihood to perform up to their standards is high. Given James' matchup Wednesday, he should have every opportunity to produce one of his vintage lines. The Cavaliers will travel to face the Wizards, who allow the most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards. In the Cavaliers only other matchup with Washington this season, James had 24 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Washington is even more depleted by injuries than they were at that point, so barring injury or foul trouble, that would seem like the floor for his potential Wednesday. Otto Porter will have his hands full trying to slow down the veteran superstar.
Will Barton, DEN at MIN ($35) - Barton may be the biggest surprise of the season. He is averaging 16.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.7 triples and only 1.5 turnovers in 30 minutes per game. Those numbers have been good enough for a 30.0 fantasy points per game this season. While Barton is a solid play on any night, the timing is what makes him valuable Wednesday. He scored only 9.9 fantasy points in his last game, which could push his ownership percentage down. Given that he had scored at least 40 fantasy points in his three games prior to the dud, there is no trend indicating a decline for the small forward.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, NY at MIA ($41) - Anthony draws an unfavorable matchup Wednesday in Miami. The Heat has been under the radar as a defensive team this season, but they are actually giving up the second-fewest points in the league at 94.6 per game. They are also the fifth-best team at defending opposing small forwards. Anthony will need to work for everything he gets versus the Heat's stingy defense. While he always has the potential to go off, there are safer plays Wednesday.
CENTER
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at POR ($33) - Jordan is averaging 37.68 fantasy points per game in the last five, which have come after Blake Griffin went down injured. That is 4.18 more points per game than what he was averaging prior to Griffin going down. Portland allows the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, so Jordan's matchup and new role should favor his chances of having a big night.
Center to Avoid
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs CLE ($31) - Gortat has been playing rather consistently recently, however, he faces a tough matchup Wednesday. Cleveland allows the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing centers, as well as the third-fewest points per game overall. There are no overly bad matchups for centers overall, but this is one to avoid.
