It’s the first Hump Day of 2021! If you’re dealing with a case of the mid-week blues, DFS can be a welcome distraction, and I’ve got some tips for your FanDuel lineups this evening.

Each week, I’ll be here to profile some strong value plays, studs, and duds for Wednesday’s FanDuel slate. By “value play,” I mean a player under $8,000 — or one whose salary is too low not to roster. I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction, and if you have any questions, you can hit me up on Twitter at @is_sirois. All matchup data is pulled from our defense versus position tool.

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I. Value Plays

• De’Aaron Fox is free money tonight. He’s averaging an impressive 39.1 FanDuel points per game (FDPPG) thus far, and he’s a fantastic value at this price point against a tired Bulls team that’s already giving up the most FDPPG to point guards.
• While I don’t love Chicago here, Coby White should be a decent option if he suits up. He did play 39 minutes last night, which is some cause for concern, but the Kings give up the third-most FDPPG to point guards.
• Patrick Beverley should be in line for more work with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in question. He played 33 minutes last night, which isn’t terrible, but Lou Williams could be a decent alternative for just $200 more since he logged only 21 minutes last night.

• Devin Booker shouldn’t be this cheap. He’s averaging 31.32 FDPPG, which could be better, but the Raptors give up the 10th-most FDPPG to shooting guards, and the Suns should win this one handily.
• If you’re looking to spend down at shooting guard, Donte DiVincenzo has been a fantastic play all year. He averages 24.3 FDPPG, and he scored 30-plus points in two of his last three matchups. He’s a safe option against a Pistons team that surrenders the second-most FDPPG to the position.
• Kevin Huerter should be a safe option in what should be a high-scoring game — the Vegas total currently sits at 232.5.

• I like R.J. Barrett against the Jazz, as they’re giving up the fifth-most FDPPG to opposing small forwards. Barrett won’t cost you a ton of cap space and has flashed massive upside recently, including a 52.7 FanDuel point showing his last time out.
• Kelly Oubre should be a viable option against a banged-up Clippers team. He averages 25 FDPPG, but he scored 30-plus FanDuel points in both of his most recent outings.
• Denzel Valentine is a high-risk punt play. He’s fresher than most of Chicago’s lineup, as he played only 19 minutes off the bench yesterday, and he’d be in line for more work if guys like Zach LaVine (43 minutes) and Coby White (39 minutes) get some rest.

• John Collins hasn’t had a great start to the year, but he should bounce back against the Hornets, as they give up the most FDPPG to point guards.
• I don’t hate Chris Boucher at this price point, especially since he’s averaging 28.8 FDPPG, but he may not have as much ceiling as you’d like in what’s likely to be an unfavorable, low-scoring game.
• Like the other Clippers I’ve featured here, Nicolas Batum could be in line for more minutes if George and Leonard sit. That said, he played 36 minutes last night, so we’ll see how much the Clippers use the 32-year-old tonight.

• Tonight’s a Rudy Gobert night. The Knicks allow their opponents to grab 58.5 boards per game, the third-most in the NBA, and Gobert should absolutely feast on the glass tonight. More on this below.
• If you’re pivoting away from Gobert, Bismack Biyombo is a decent value option against the Hawks. He averages 24.3 FDPPG, and while the matchup isn’t great, this should be a high-scoring game with lots of points on both sides.
• Ivica Zubac could be in line for some extra minutes with the Clippers dealing with numerous injuries while on a back-to-back.

II. Five Notable Players to Feature

1. Joel Embiid (PHI) $9,900 vs. WAS: I prefer Gobert on this slate, but Embiid is a fine alternative at center. He’ll cost you a lot more, but the Wizards give up the third-most FDPPG to the position, and Embiid has a slate-winning upside.
2. Trae Young (ATL) $9,400 vs. CHA: We’re going to see a lot of points in Atlanta tonight, and I expect Young to stuff the stat sheet en route to a rock-solid fantasy showing.
3. Rudy Gobert (UTH) $8,200 at NYK: New York’s aforementioned struggles on the glass make me like Gobert a lot. While the Jazz are currently on a back-to-back in New York, Gobert only played 27 minutes last night, so he’ll be very fresh — and hungry — after the blowout loss to the Nets.
4. Malcolm Brogdon (IND) $8,200 vs. HOU: Brogdon has scored 50-plus FanDuel points in his two most recent showings. Feel free to keep riding the gravy train against the Rockets.
5. De’Aaron Fox (SAC) $7,800 vs. CHI: I profiled Fox above, but I’m a fan of his averages and this matchup. Chicago’s best players will be tired after last night’s comeback win, and Fox should exploit them for a huge day.

III. Five Notable Players to Fade

1. Stephen Curry (GSW) $10,000 vs. LAC: Curry’s last few games have moved his salary up quite a bit, and while he does have a ton of upside against a banged-up Clippers squad, this price isn’t very appealing. The Clippers allow the 12th-fewest FDPPG to point guards, and you can find more value elsewhere.
2. Andre Drummond (CLE) $9,500 at ORL: There are better plays at center tonight. The Magic give up the seventh-fewest FDPPG to opposing centers, so if you want to spend up at center, go with Embiid or Gobert.
3. Zach LaVine (CLE) $8,100 at SAC: LaVine played 43 minutes on Tuesday and probably won’t see as much run tonight.
4. Fred VanVleet (TOR) $8,000 at PHO: The Phoenix Suns have been exceptional on defense this year, and I don’t think VanVleet will do much against them, as they surrender the third-fewest FDPPG to shooting guards.
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) $7,500 at NOR: The Thunder are asking SGA to carry their offense, and I’m not sure he can do that, especially against the Pelicans. They give up the fifth-fewest FDPPG to shooting guards.

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Isaiah Sirois is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Isaiah, check out his archive and follow him @is_sirois.