This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
As the NBA prepares for an off night Thursday, Wednesday brings 14 games on the schedule. With so many options to choose from for your Yahoo entry, let's get right down to business and examine the players that can hopefully help you finish in the money.
GUARDS
Ben Simmons, PHI vs. POR ($48): Simmons is not only the best rookie in the NBA, but he is one of the best players in the league in general right now when it comes to DFS value. He is averaging 45.7 Yahoo points per game overall, but has been even better lately as he has scored at least 50 Yahoo points in three straight games. He's pretty matchup proof, so get him in your lineup.
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN at CLE ($20): Dinwiddie is rolling as a starter for the Nets, scoring at least 34.1 Yahoo points in three straight games. The Cavaliers struggle to defend opposing point guards as they have allowed the eighth-most Yahoo points per game (45.9) to the position. Dinwiddie scored 38 Yahoo points when these teams met earlier this season, making him a great option at this price.
[Join the free NBA Yahoo Cup. $25K in total prizes with weekly winners]
Guard to Avoid
Eric Gordon, HOU vs. DEN ($25): Gordon did a great job filling in for the injured Chris Paul, but has seen a reduced role since Paul's return. No longer a member of the starting five, Gordon averaged only 28 minutes off the bench in his last two games. He failed to score more than 23.9 Yahoo points in either game as a result, so stay away from him Wednesday.
FORWARDS
Paul George, OKC vs. GS ($39): George is on a hot streak, as he has scored at least 41.4 Yahoo points in four of his last five games, three of which he scored at least 51 Yahoo points. Although his 26.2% usage rate is his lowest since the 2012-13 season, it still puts him within the top-40 in the league. This should be a high-scoring affair against the Warriors where George can thrive.
Denzel Valentine, CHI at UTA ($13): Valentine has started each of the last three games, scoring at least 34 Yahoo points twice. He logged a season-high 38 minutes Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers and put up an excellent all-around line with 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and five three-pointers. With the Bulls struggling to score, Valentine should get plenty of run and provide significant value at this cheap price Wednesday.
Forward to Avoid
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at NO ($40): Aldridge has struggled by his standards of late as he has scored 39.2 Yahoo points or less in four of his last five games. He gets no easy task against the big Pelicans frontcourt Wednesday, so this might not be the night to pay up for him.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball contest or league today]
CENTERS
Marc Gasol, MEM vs. DAL ($36): Gasol continues to lead the way with Mike Conley (Achilles) out, scoring at least 48.9 Yahoo points in two of his last three games. His 28.1% usage rate puts him in the top-25 in the league and he is one of the best passing centers in the game. The Mavericks don't have a lot of quality size up front, so this could be a big game for Gasol.
Julius Randle, LAL at SAC ($18): Randle is only averaging 21 minutes per game this season, but has played at least 28 minutes in three of his last four games. He came away with at least 29 Yahoo points in two of those games, cashing in his extra minutes. Wednesday brings a matchup against a Kings team that struggles to defend opposing big men, making Randle a viable cheaper option.
Center to Avoid
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at PHI ($29): Nurkic is struggling to produce right now as he has scored 28.5 Yahoo points or less in six of his last seven games. He has the tough task of trying to defend Joel Embiid Wednesday, so foul trouble could be an issue. At this price, he's not worth the risk.
