Fantasy basketball advice: NBA FanDuel sleepers/busts for Wednesday, April 8

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

Brook Lopez, C, Nets: The Nets are surging as they continue to battle for a playoff spot, and Lopez is the reason why. He's playing as well as he has in years as Brooklyn has decided to run its offense through him. Over his past five games, Lopez is averaging 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. He's also shooting an awesome 60 percent from the field. That the Nets are playing Wednesday against the Hawks, a team coasting until the playoffs begin, will only make things easier for Lopez.

Zach LaVine, G, Timberwolves: LaVine continues to shine for the Timberwolves, who have decided to let the first-round pick get extended minutes on the floor as the season runs out. He's getting 38 minutes of playing time over his last 10 games while averaging 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Minnesota is letting LaVine grow on the job and fantasy owners are being rewarded. Oh, and on Wednesday he'll play the Blazers, who are allowing opposing guards to score 50.5 FanDuel points per game over their last five, the worst number in the league, via Rotoworld.

Chase Budinger, F, Timberwolves: Budinger is another Timberwolves player taking advantage of the opportunity he's been given. He's averaging 15.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in 33.9 minutes over his last five games. Budinger has shown that he has talent before; now we're seeing him put it to use. It will be hard to find a better low-cost option than Budinger for Wednesday.

Anyone on the Hawks: As mentioned above, the Hawks, who are coached by a Gregg Popovich disciple, are resting most of their stars after they already clinched the No. 1 seed in the East. Also, their Wednesday night game against the Nets will be the team's second in two days. The only Atlanta players worth going with will be the reserves who might cost less, but it's impossible to know in advance which of those players to target. Instead, just stay away from all of them.

Kyrie Irving, G, Cavaliers: Cleveland is pretty much locked into the No. 2 seed in the East, which means David Blatt might decide to start giving his stars some rest. Plus, Irving his been struggling with his shot of late, shooting just 43 percent from the field in his last five games. On Wednesday, the Cavaliers will play the Bucks, one of the league's best defensive teams. Milwaukee is holding opposing point guards to a league-low 36.2 FanDuel points per game this year, according to Rotoworld. For the amount that Irving will cost, you should stay away.

Zach Randolph, F, Grizzlies: There are two reasons for this. One, Randolph has an awful matchup on Wednesday. He and the Grizzlies will be playing the Pelicans, who are holding opposing power forwards to 32.9 FanDuel points per game over their last five, second only to the Jazz, per Rotoworld. That's what Anthony Davis can do on defense. The second reason to avoid Z-Bo: Simply put, he hasn't been playing well recently. Over the past five games, Randolph is averaging just 13 points and eight rebounds. Given the fact that he won't be cheap, you're better off spending your money somewhere else.

Other Notables

Brook Lopez is not the only Nets player turning back the clock. Deron Williams is averaging 20.4 points, 8.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds over his last five games ... Ben McLemore has really found the range since George Karl came to Sacramento, and the Kings are finally letting him get some playing time to see what they've got. He's averaging 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds in 34.4 minutes over his past three games ... Kemba Walker won't be cheap, but he also won't be as expensive as some of the other options at point guard, and he's playing as well as any of them recently. He's averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists and 4.0 rebounds over his last five.