Fantasy basketball advice: NBA FanDuel sleepers/busts for Wednesday, Feb. 26

As for what we're going to be doing in this space: The goal here will be to direct your attention toward some players who you might not otherwise consider. If you're here and reading this, then you already know that LeBron James is really good. But when filling out a roster you can't just pick out stars. You'll blow your cap that way and get stuck praying to the basketball gods that a guy like Kosta Koufos gets into the game. No, if you want to win, you have to take advantage of certain matchups -- and in order to do that you have to know where to look. That's what we're here for. Also, this space is going to be used to give you advice for the games on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Tuesday night is generally a slower one in the NBA, while Wednesdays are always packed. So with that, let's get started.

Isaiah Thomas, G, Celtics: Since being traded to the Celtics on Thursday, Thomas has played in two games -- and he's been excellent in both. He went for 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals Sunday against the Lakers, and 21 points and seven assists Monday against his former team, the Suns. On Wednesday he gets to face the Knicks, one of the worst defensive teams in the league. The Knicks also struggle containing opposing point guards. They're allowing them to score 22.3 points per game, the eighth-worst number in the league, according to HoopStats.com. Thomas has been coming off the bench for the Celtics, who have decided to keep Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart in the starting lineup for the time being. But he's still getting more than 25 minutes of playing time. Boston is also fourth in the NBA in pace, according to NBA.com, which means there's plenty of opportunity to go around.

Alex Len, C, Nuggets: Len is averaging 34 minutes per game in the three contests Phoenix has played since sending Miles Plumee to Milwaukee prior to last week's trade deadline. He's rewarding the Suns with solid production, too, as he's putting up 10 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks per game. On Wednesday he'll face the Nuggets, who are giving up 104.2 points per game this season, the fifth-worst number in the league. Even better for Len, Denver, according to Rotoworld, is allowing opposing centers to record 46.8 FanDuel points per game, the fourth-highest mark in the NBA. One more stat that projects well for Len: Denver is sixth in the NBA in pace, while Phoenix is 11th (according to NBA.com). There are going to be a lot of possessions in this game, and Len should be able to take advantage.

Danilo Gallinari, F, Nuggets: Another player benefiting from all that trade deadline shuffling. With Arron Afflalo now in Portland, Gallinari is finding the ball in his hands more often. He's averaging 17.5 points over his last two games, a major jump compared to the 8.8 he's averaging on the season. Also, Phoenix is allowing opposing small forwards to record 35.3 FanDuel points per game, the sixth-highest number in the league (via Rotoworld). Add in everything written in the paragraph above about pace and you have a great, below-the-radar small forward option.

Tyson Chandler, C, Mavericks: Chandler will be going up against the Hawks on Wednesday, one of the better defensive teams in the league. Atlanta is also great at containing opposing centers, limiting them to 41.6 FanDuel points per game, the fifth-lowest number in the league (via Rotoworld). Chandler has been dealing with a bum ankle, and Wednesday night's game against the Hawks will be the Mavericks' second in two nights. All this makes him a big stay away.

Derrick Rose, G, Bulls: Rose has really been struggling of late, averaging just 10.7 points and 5.0 assists in his last three games. Over that stretch he's shooting an awful 34 percent from the field. Making matters worse: Rose will be facing the Hornets on Wednesday, a team giving up just 97 points per game, the fifth-lowest number in the league. Rose has yet to return to his M.V.P form this season -- which would be fine, if he wasn't costing you a lot on the market. That, however, is not the case. There are lots of good point guard options out there. Rose is no longer one of them.

Isaiah Canaan, G, Sixers: This might be a strange name to put here, given that Canaan isn't exactly a player many know. But since being traded to the Sixers before last week's trade deadline, Canaan has emerged as a popular sleeper candidate. And for good reason. He's talented and, more importantly, he's really the only option at point guard the Sixers have. So why should he be avoided on Wednesday? Because Philadelphia will be playing Milwaukee, one of the best defensive teams in the league. The Bucks are long and athletic and give inexperienced players fits. They've held opposing point guards to a league-low 35.3 FanDuel points per game this year (via Rotoworld). On some nights it will be worth taking a shot on Canaan. Wednesday is not one of them.

With Enes Kenter out of the way Rudy Gobert is now getting more minutes in Utah. He's a talent, and more than capable of taking advantage Wednesday against a hapless Lakers team -- Terrence Jones is now starting for Houston. He's a good low-cost buy ... John Wall against Minnesota's defense? Yes, please.