This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Sunday offers a seven-game slate in which there are two day games and five night games. It's as crucial as ever to play it safe in these situations and avoid players with injury question marks. Even if a player is probable, it's better to steer away from them because it's nearly impossible to win with a big fat zero in your lineup if they are scratched.
GUARDS
Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN at OKC ($23) - Mudiay impressed in his first two games, totaling 17 points, nine assists and five rebounds in his rookie debut and then posting 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in his second game. He's poised for another big performance in what should be an up-tempo game against Oklahoma City. Mudiay should have the ball in his hands all game, giving him plenty of opportunties. Eleven point guards are priced higher than Mudiay, making him a good value.
D'Angelo Russell, LAL vs. DAL ($13) - This price is simply too cheap for a player with as much upside as Russell. He struggled in his first two games, but Kobe Bryant and coach Byron Scott have made it clear that they want the ball in the rookie's hands to foster his development. And he'll have a favorable matchup against Deron Williams or Raymond Felton.
Guard to Avoid:
Goran Dragic, MIA vs. HOU ($27) - Dragic hasn't found his rhythm in Miami yet. He can score and distribute at ease, but it's hard for him to get going with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh dominating the ball. In fact, Wade led all shooting guard in usage rate last season. Dragic will get out of this swoon eventually, but it probably won't start Sunday against the Rockets. Houston will cover him with one of the league's best defensive combos in Ty Lawson and Patrick Beverley. Dragic averaged 9.5 points, six assists, and two rebounds in his first two games. That sort of line would be a huge disappointment at $27.
FORWARD
Serge Ibaka, OKC vs. DEN ($27) - Ibaka isn't usually a great DFS option because his upside is limited, but he could be in for an Iblaka party against an undersize Denver frontcourt as he usually feasts on such mismatches. The 6-foot-10 Ibaka likely will cover 6-8 Kenneth Faried, who has limited offensive capabilities and can only score at the rim. Ibaka is one of the best rim protectors in basketball, and a five-block game wouldn't surprise. He should also have no problem grabbing double-digit rebounds, as Denver shot just 31 percent from the field in its last game against the Timberwolves.
David Lee, BOS vs. SAN ($13) - This is one of the more surprising prices. It seems crazy that David Lee is starting over Jared Sullinger, playing more minutes than Sullinger and $9 cheaper than Sullinger. Lee has yet to get it going with the Celtics this season, but it's just matter of time until he finds his rhythm. This matchup is a good one as well, as the Spurs have a weak defensive frontcourt, with a bunch of mid 30-year-old veterans. A double-double is possible, which would make Lee a major steal at $13.
Forward to Avoid:
Jared Sullinger, BOS vs. SAN ($22) -Jared Sullinger is talented, but the role is simply not there for him. Sullinger averages less than six shots a game in less than 18 minutes per game. After being the go-to player on this offense last year, he's been relegated to the fifth big man in this deep, yet average frontcourt. While he can stuff the stat sheet, the upside is limited in his current role.
CENTER
Joffrey Lauvergne, DEN at OKC ($14) - Lauvergne is an under-the-radar player, but he's had some great per-minute production this season. Starting the in absence of Jusuf Nurkic, Lauvergne has been a beast in just 19 minutes a game, averaging about 20 points and 11 rebounds per 36 minutes. The Nuggets will need the Frenchman to play more minutes against this huge frontcourt in Oklahoma City on Sunday, and Lauvergne should eclipse 25 minutes. If so, he could easily approach a double-double, which would make him a bargain at his price.
Center to Avoid:
Tim Duncan, SAN at BOS ($31) - Winning a tournament in daily fantasy is all about using value to get as much upside as possible. There is no way that a $31 Tim Duncan can give you the maximum value to win a tournament. He simply doesn't play enough minutes and doesn't match the upside of any other player who is $30 or more. The game against Boston has possible blowout potential written all over it as well, and that limits how many minutes Duncan could play.
