This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With football winding down and baseball still a few months away, we are entering the thick of the NBA season. There are plenty of stats available to skew in any direction for or against a player of your choice, but it is all about finding favorable matchups on a day-by-day basis. Ahead, we will try and find players whose potential outweighs their current value, as well as players unlikely to reach their ceilings due to tough matchups.
GUARD
John Wall, WAS vs MIA ($50): Wall draws an advantageous matchup against the Heat on Wednesday. Not only are the Heat playing the second half of a back-to-back, but they will be down two point guards. With Goran Dragic and Beno Udrih both sidelined, Tyler Johnson draws the unfavorable task of trying to stop Wall, who has been on a bit of a tear recently, averaging 47.1 fantasy points per game over his last six. He has the potential to outperform his already hefty price, and he could have a field day against the banged up Heat backcourt already playing tired.
Donald Sloan, BKN vs CLE ($11): If you're going to pay the hefty price for somebody like Wall, you are going to need to even it out with a cheaper option. At only $11, Sloan is one of the best value plays right now. When Jarrett Jack went down for the year everyone expected Shane Larkin to assume the role of starting point guard, but that has not been the case. When the Nets made a head coaching change, Donald Sloan was the benefactor of a shaken up starting unit. He may not be as skilled as other starting point guards in the league, but he is currently getting the minutes to easily outperform his salary. Since taking over the starting job, Sloan has averaged 25.23 fantasy points per game.
Guard to Avoid
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs BOS ($39): DeRozan has been playing well recently but will draw a tough matchup Wednesday versus Boston. The Celtics have been very stingy against opposing guards this year, and a big reason for that is Avery Bradley. Bradley is widely known as one of the best defenders in the league, and DeRozan will have the tough task of trying to take it to him Wednesday. When paying for anyone around DeRozan's price, you need them to have the potential to go off, and that is a big ask for Toronto's young shooting guard in this one.
FORWARD
Tobias Harris, ORL vs PHI ($28): Harris has been relatively inconsistent of late, but he has a favorable matchup Wednesday. Philadelphia allows the second-most fantasy points per game to small forwards this season, while allowing 105.2 points per game overall. Victor Oladipo has already been ruled out for the Magic, which means they could need a little extra offense from somewhere else in their lineup. Harris is also unlikely to be heavily owned, so you if you catch him on one of his on-nights, he will be extra valuable.
Rudy Gay, SAC at LAL ($32): Gay has been playing well and gets a matchup with a Lakers squad allowing the third-most points per game in the league. They also give up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards. Gay heads into this matchup hot, having put up 34.33 fantasy points per game over his last six. He will be matched up with Kobe Bryant, who has been anything but the shutdown defender he has been in the past.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, NY vs UTA ($39): Before Monday's overtime thriller versus Philadelphia, Anthony had sat out the previous two games due to an ankle injury. The Knicks certainly did not want him to play heavy minutes in his first game back, but due to a tightly contested game he logged 49 minutes. It is safe to assume the Knicks will be a little cautious with their superstar small forward. Also, he has a disadvantageous matchup with Utah, who is giving up the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards. While Anthony may be productive, he will find a hard time breaking out Wednesday.
CENTER
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs PHI ($34): Vucevic has scored at least 40 fantasy points in three of his past four games and is playing against a weak 76ers defense. The 76ers are also giving up the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing centers, so Vucevic should have an opportunity to put up stellar numbers well above his $34 price.
Center to Avoid
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at DAL ($30): Although he has been relatively consistent all year, Towns has cooled off. Mainly, he has not been able to provide the big game needed to place in your daily contests. He will draw a tough matchup Wednesday, while also playing in the second half of a road back-to-back. Dallas is giving up the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing centers and should pose a formidable test for the star rookie center. There are simply better options Wednesday.
