This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA has an unusually light schedule Wednesday with only four games. A few of the teams in action are dealing with injury issues as well, creating some unique opportunities for your Yahoo entry. Here are some players to both target and avoid to hopefully end the night a winner.
GUARDS
Terry Rozier, BOS vs. WAS ($21): The Celtics are dealing with a lot of injuries right now and will be shorthanded in their backcourt Wednesday with Kyrie Irving (knee), Marcus Smart (thumb) and Jaylen Brown (concussion) all out. With limited options, Rozier is going to get a ton of playing time. In nine games that Rozier has played at least 30 minutes this season, he is averaging 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.1 three-pointers. The price is right to roll with him against the Wizards.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL at GS ($21): Caldwell-Pope is playing well, scoring at least 31.3 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. He continues to get plenty of playing time, logging at least 36 minutes in seven straight contests. Both the Lakers and the Warriors are in the top-four in the league in pace of play, so Caldwell-Pope should have a lot of opportunities to be productive again Wednesday.
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Guard to Avoid
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC vs. MIA ($18): Bogdanovic has been inconsistent lately, scoring 21 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last six games. He has struggled offensively, scoring eight points or less in three of his last four contests. Although the Kings had said they were going to give more playing time to their young player, Bogdanovic has failed to play at least 30 minutes in six straight games. With his limited upside, it makes a lot more sense to pay three dollars more for Rozier or Caldwell-Pope than to go with Bogdanovic.
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, GS vs. LAL ($48): The Warriors will be without two of their best players Wednesday with Stephen Curry (ankle) and Draymond Green (shoulder) sidelined. Curry did not play Sunday against the Timberwolves either, leaving Durant to score 66.4 Yahoo points. Not only do the Lakers play at a fast pace, but they also allow the fourth-most points per game (110.1) in the league. Durant is in line for a dominating performance.
Marcus Morris, BOS vs. WAS ($13): Someone else besides Rozier is going to have to step up offensively for the Celtics and Morris is likely to be one of those players. His 22.1% usage rate is third-highest on the team and he is averaging 13.8 points per game in March, the highest total for him in any month this season. At close to the minimum price, he's worth the risk in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Mario Hezonja, ORL vs. MIL ($19): Hezonja has not been able to take advantage of Evan Fournier (knee) and Aaron Gordon (concussion) being out, scoring 21.5 Yahoo points or fewer in each of the last three games that they have missed. He has struggled from the field, shooting a combined 37.5% over that stretch. Wednesday brings a matchup against a tough Bucks defense, so this might not be the night to put Hezonja in your lineup.
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CENTERS
Kelly Olynyk, MIA at SAC ($15): The Heat will be without Hassan Whiteside (hip) for their third straight game Wednesday, which should open up an expanded role for Olynyk. Although Bam Adebayo started the last two games, Olynyk out produced him in both contests, scoring 36.2 and 26.5 Yahoo points, respectively. The Kings allow the third-most Yahoo points per game (51.8) to opposing centers, making Olynyk an option to consider for your entry.
Greg Monroe, BOS vs. WAS ($10): Monroe has provided value of late, scoring at least 20.8 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. He's provided an offensive jolt for the Celtics, posting the second-highest usage rate (22.5%) on the team. With offense likely hard to come by due to all of their injuries, the Celtics might need to rely on Monroe even more Wednesday. At the minimum price, he provides a viable option with upside.
Center to Avoid
Kosta Koufos, SAC vs. MIA ($11): With Willie Cauley-Stein injured, Koufos scored at least 21.1 Yahoo points in four straight games earlier this month. He saw a significant boost in playing time, logging at least 25 minutes in three of those four contests. Cauley-Stein is healthy now and has played each of the last two games, resulting in Koufos logging 20 minutes or fewer in both contests even though he has continued to start. He's still inexpensive, but he just doesn't have the upside that he did when Cauley-Stein was out.
