Counterattack - Wednesday's Top Contrarian Plays

Here are the top contrarian plays for Wednesday, December 23:

PG Jrue Holiday, Pelicans (vs. Trail Blazers)

Despite playing just 21 games, starting only 14 of those games and averaging a mere 22.9 minutes per game, Holiday ranks 21st in the association with a usage rate of 26.8%. Essentially, when Holiday is on the court, he has the ball.

Though he hasn't started any of the Pelicans' past four games, he's averaged 26.0 minutes. He's been very efficient in those limited minutes, with 17.3 points, 3.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and two 3-pointers. It's a well rounded stat line, despite a lack outstanding production in any one category.

Wednesday's matchup against the Trail Blazers may look tough on paper, but with Portland still without PG Damian Lillard, it's a much easier match-up than it seems.

SG Will Barton, Nuggets (at Suns)

Barton's price has shot up to yet another new high on most major DFS sites. He has posted the highest and third-highest point totals of his season in back-to-back games. He had his second double-digit rebound game of the season, and he had his highest assist total of the season. He set season highs for 3-point attempts and 3-pointers made in his second-last game.

Only five teams in the league allow more points per game than the Suns. No team allows a better opponent field-goal percentage. They've allowed over 100 points in nine of their past 10 games. Barton ranks 41st in player efficiency rating, and he's made at least 45% of his field goals in three of his past four games.

SF Gordon Hayward, Jazz (at Warriors)

With marquee names in Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony on Wednesday's slate, Hayward and the Jazz will be an afterthought in a tough road matchup against Golden State. Despite being an afterthought, Hayward has posted three consecutive 20-point games.

Hayward averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his past three games, and he's tied with the likes of Pau Gasol and Kawhi Leonard for the 40th-highest usage rate in the league.

PF Serge Ibaka, Thunder (at Lakers)

Ibaka has scored in the double-digits in four consecutive games, averaging 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. His minutes have been inconsistent of late, but he's played no fewer than 24 minutes in December.

The Lakers allow averages of 20.1 points and 11.4 rebounds to opposing power forwards and they're likely to be without their own top rebounder in Julius Randle Wednesday.

C Gorgui Dieng, Timberwolves (vs. Spurs)

Dieng is averaging 32.8 minutes, 12.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 blocks in four games since making his first start of the season. Dieng is a much less popular selection than rookie teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, and he's also considerably cheaper.

Dieng will also be overlooked in favor of the Spurs' big men, even though their playing time will be unpredictable in a likely blowout.