This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
It's a loaded 10-game night in the NBA, so let's dive right in.
GUARDS
Kemba Walker ($30) vs. Pistons
With Jayson Tatum sidelined, plenty of usage opens up on the Celtics, especially in terms of shot attempts. Walker should be able to take advantage. With Tatum off the court in home games, Walker shoots 6.2 more field goals per 36 minutes, and 2.5 of those are three-pointers. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart should also see extra usage, making for good DFS plays as well. The Pistons aren't an intimidating opponent, either, as they have the 11th-worst defensive rating in the NBA.
Zach LaVine ($37) vs. Wizards
The Wizards give up an embarrassing 119.9 points per game to opponents, and that mark is a full three points higher than the next team. They play matador defense and they play it fast, which is a combination that suits a high-volume shot-taker like LaVine. He's also helped by the continued absences of Wendell Carter and Otto Porter. With that pair off the court, LaVine takes 4.4 more shots per 36 minutes in home games. He also grabs 1.8 more rebounds.
GUARD TO AVOID
Kyle Lowry ($40) @ Thunder
The Raptors, finally, are nearing full strength. Toronto just got Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell back in their previous game, and Marc Gasol is expected to make his return Wednesday. We should still expect Lowry to see an insane workload for his advanced age (33), but he shouldn't need to carry the same level of usage with increased offensive options around him. Specifically, with Siakam, Gasol and Powell all on the court, Lowry sees a 6.9 percent usage dip, taking 4.6 fewer shots per 36 minutes. The Thunder are also a solid defensive team that plays at a standard pace, allowing just 107.3 points per game.
FORWARDS
Will Barton ($25) vs. Hornets
Barton can be inconsistent, but his ceiling is high and is worth $25. He has 15 games with at least 35 fantasy points this season, and he could end up being a significant beneficiary if Jamal Murray and/or Gary Harris -- both questionable -- are out of action Wednesday. With the trio of Murray, Harris and Millsap off the court, Barton sees a usage bump of 5.2 percent, notably taking 4.2 more shots and handing out 2.7 more assists per 36 minutes. The Hornets have their moments, but Barton shouldn't have a hard time accounting for a significant part of the 110.8 points per game Charlotte allows, which is 15th in the NBA.
T.J. Warren ($22) @ Timberwolves
Warren's price has been steadily climbing, but he's still worth deploying at $22. That will especially be the case if Domantas Sabonis, who is questionable, misses Wednesday's game. With Sabonis off the court, Warren sees a 3.4 percent usage bump, notably averaging 5.0 more points and 1.9 more rebounds per 36 minutes. He's also cracked 35 fantasy points seven times this season. Furthermore, the Timberwolves are not a strong defensive team and allow 114.8 points per game, which is the sixth-highest mark in the NBA.
FORWARD TO AVOID
Danilo Gallinari ($23) vs. Raptors
Gallinari is often a good option, but I don't want to spend the money when it comes to facing the Raptors. Toronto allows the fourth-fewest points (105.1) in the league, holding opponents to the second-lowest effective field-goal percentage (49.5). That's not good for someone like Gallinari, whose fantasy value is largely dependent on his effectiveness from the field. In games where he scores fewer than 20 real points, Gallinari averages just 26.5 fantasy points
CENTERS
Dwight Howard ($17) vs. Magic
Things have been clicking for Howard lately, and he's averaging 32.2 fantasy points across the past five games. Things could be getting even better for him if Anthony Davis, who is questionable, ends up sidelined for Wednesday's action. With Davis (and Rajon Rondo) off the court, Howard averages 6.3 more field-goal attempts per 36 minutes in home games. While we shouldn't expect him to see a huge minutes boost, he's been operating at a rate of better than one fantasy point per minute lately. Though the Magic allow the fewest points per game (103.5) in the league, they're a poor rebounding team, allowing the 11th-most boards per game (46.3) despite playing at the NBA's fourth-slowest pace.
Andre Drummond ($49) @ Celtics
Rostering Drummond doesn't leave you with a ton of salary left over, but Boston's weak point is their lack of size in the frontcourt, and Daniel Theis is questionable. Drummond's last two games have been oddities, with him getting ejected in one and getting pulled in the other for failing to slow down Jahlil Okafor. But I'm expecting a bounceback performance from him here, and he averages 48.8 fantasy points on the road when seeing 30-plus minutes. Detroit is also trying to trade Drummond, so the organization will likely do everything they can to showcase him up until the trade deadline.
CENTER TO AVOID
Clint Capela ($36) vs. Trail Blazers
The Rockets are on the second half of a back-to-back following a hard fought game in Memphis, which resulted in a loss. And now Capela, on tired legs, will have to go up against Hassan Whiteside, who has been one of the best defensive centers in the league this season. While Portland allows the second-most rebounds in the league (48.3 per game), they also are the best team at defending the rim, allowing opponents to shoot just 60.3 percent inside of three feet. Considering that's where Capela makes most of his shots, I wouldn't bank on him having a particularly effective performance Wednesday.
