This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a quiet Tuesday night, the NBA roars back with a whopping 12 games on the schedule Wednesday. Playoff seeding will be on the line in both conferences, making for an exciting evening of hoops. We also have a lot of options to sift through in DFS, so let's get down to business and highlight some players to target and avoid for your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Kemba Walker, CHA at NO ($38): The Hornets have their backs against the wall in terms of their chase for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. They are currently three games back of the Heat and would also need to jump over the Magic along the way. Walker has been trying to carry the team to their goal, scoring at least 54.5 Yahoo points in four of their last six games. With the Pelicans playing at the second-fastest pace (104 possessions per game) and allowing the third-most points per game (116.5) in the league, this is a spot for him to shine.
Trey Burke, DAL vs. MIN ($11): The key for Burke is the status of Luka Doncic (thigh), who is listed as questionable. He's missed their last two games with the injury, leaving Burke to score 39.4 and 30.7 Yahoo points, respectively. He played at least 29 minutes in both contests and should again receive plenty of playing time if Doncic sits out. Considering he's an offensive-minded player, this is a great matchup for him against the Timberwolves, who allow the seventh-most points per game (114).
Guard to Avoid
Marcus Smart, BOS at MIA ($20): Smart is a key part of the Celtics' success, but that doesn't always translate to him being a productive option in DFS. He's shown his limited upside by scoring 26.2 Yahoo points or fewer in nine of his last 11 games. This is not a favorable opponent for him considering the Heat are tied for the second-fewest points allowed per game (105.6). With so many other viable cheaper options, this is the night to pass on Smart.
FORWARDS
Jabari Parker, WAS vs. CHI ($25): Despite the Wizards falling out of the playoff picture, Parker has still received plenty of playing time down the stretch. He's remained productive, scoring at least 31.3 Yahoo points in seven of his last 11 contests. He's torched the Bulls in two previous meetings, scoring 40 and 46.7 Yahoo points, respectively. The Bulls have allowed an average of 118.2 points over their last 10 games, leaving Parker with plenty of upside at this mid-tier price.
JaKarr Sampson, CHI at WAS ($11): The Bulls are one of the most injury-depleted teams as we close out the season and won't be receiving any reinforcements Wednesday. With so little depth up front, they just signed Sampson to a 10-day contract over the weekend. He stepped in to play 30 minutes against the Knicks on Monday and shined with 22 points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block. He received glowing reviews from coach Jim Boylen after the game, so look for him to receive significant playing time against the Wizards. That leaves him as a great tournament play option since the Wizards play at the ninth-fastest pace (102.4).
Forward to Avoid
Will Barton, DEN vs. SA ($17): With another quiet performance against the Warriors on Tuesday, Barton has now scored 25.8 Yahoo points or fewer in eight of his last nine games. The Nuggets have a talented and deep roster, so Barton doesn't always receive a ton of opportunities to stuff the stat sheet. The Nuggets and Spurs are both in the bottom-10 in the league in pace of play, so don't expect this to be the game in which he has a breakout performance.
CENTERS
Mitchell Robinson, NY at ORL ($26): The Knicks have finally turned Robinson loose, playing him at least 31 minutes in three straight games. He certainly hasn't wasted the opportunity, scoring at least 40 Yahoo points in each contest. They have nothing left to play for, so Robinson should be set up to start and play a ton over the final week. With that kind of playing time, he has tremendous upside.
Christian Wood, NO vs. CHA ($18): Anthony Davis (back) is listed as probable after missing the last three games. However, he's been listed as probable before during that three-game stretch, so he's far from a lock to play. Wood has thrived with Davis on the sidelines, scoring at least 33.2 Yahoo points in each of those three contests. With the Hornets still without Cody Zeller (knee) up front, don't hesitate to deploy Wood if Davis sits.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. BOS ($17): Despite the Heat trying to hold onto the eighth seed, Whiteside remains a part of their second unit. Across the last 15 games in that role, he's only averaging 9.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over 17 minutes a night. Not only does Wood project to be a more productive option than Whiteside if Davis sits, Ivan Rabb ($15), Luke Kornet ($14) and Richaun Holmes ($12) also at least have similar upsides at cheaper prices. It's hard to make a compelling argument for Whiteside here.
