Fantasy basketball advice: NBA FanDuel sleepers/busts for Wednesday, April 15

First off, a quick introduction, though if you don't know what FanDuel is, well, you're missing out. FanDuel is a site that offers daily fantasy sports games. Participants are given a chance every day to select new players, fill out a lineup and, most importantly, win some cash. If you choose poorly Monday you can come back Tuesday and try again. Easy as that. Click here to enter a $2 FanDuel contest that offers a $10,000 prize today!

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, April 15. Tuesday night is generally a slower one in the NBA, while Wednesdays are always packed. So with that, let's get started.

Russell Westbrook, G, Thunder: So here's the deal: Westbrook is going to cost you an arm and a leg, probably in the $11,000 range. In fact, he'll probably be the most expensive player available on Wednesday. So why go after him? Because the game is a must-win for the Thunder, who need to defeat the Timberwolves on Wednesday in order have a shot of making the playoffs, and Russ is going to go all out. This is a guy who took 43 shots on Sunday and scored 54 points. Who's to say he won't attempt another 40 on Wednesday? A 40-point game from him would be a good bet.

Brook Lopez, C, Nets: Another member of a team that needs to win its final game of the year in order to have a shot at making the playoffs. Chances are pretty good that the Nets decide to ride Lopez Wednesday against the Magic, who are allowing opposing centers to score 53.2 FanDuel points per game over their last five, the fifth-highest number in the league, per Rotoworld. Lopez has been awesome of late, averaging 21.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over his last five games.

Zach LaVine, SG, Timberwolves: The numbers are ridiculous. LaVine, over his last five games, is averaging 23.6 points, 6.4 assists and 5.8 rebounds in 40.1 minutes. That last number is the one that should excite you. If LaVine is going to get 40 minutes, he's going to fill up the box score. That means you want him in your lineup.

LeBron James, SF, Cavaliers: You could really put any Cavaliers player here. Cleveland is locked into the No. 2 seed in the East and has been resting its players on and off over the past week. Right now we don't know what exactly the team's plan is for Wednesday. But it's a good bet that it doesn't involve playing LeBron, Kyrie Irving or Kevin Love for extended minutes.

Also, for the same reason, be wary of players on the Warriors.

Monta Ellis, SG, Mavericks: Dallas is locked into its seed, the No. 7 slot in the West, and likely will give some of its studs the night off on Wednesday. At least it should, especially a player like Ellis, a small attacking guard who takes a beating and could certainly use some rest before the playoffs begin.

James Harden, SG, Rockets: This is about Harden's matchup. On Wednesday he'll play the Jazz, who, since inserting Rudy Gobert into the starting lineup, have morphed into the best defensive team in the league. That's translated to fantasy as well; Utah is holding opposing guards to 38 FanDuel points per game over its last 10, per Rotoworld. The Jazz are going to key in on Harden. He'll end up getting numbers — he always does — but not enough to validate the amount he's going to cost.

Other Notables

Knicks fans might hate him, as he's likely cost them the No. 1 overall pick, but Langston Galloway has been one of the few Knicks players actually playing half-decent this season. He's averaging 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals over his last three games ... The Pelicans need to win on Wednesday, which means they'll need a big game from Tyreke Evans. He's averaging 16.0 points, 6.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals over his last three games ... He's burned owners before, but Sixers guard Robert Covington has been on fire of late. If you need a cheap option, he's a good one.