This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With only six games on tap for Sunday's NBA slate, fantasy players will have to find just the right options to provide the differentiation to move up the standings. Here are a few who may do just that:
GUARD:
Shelvin Mack, UTA at MIL ($16): Since being acquired by the Jazz, Mack has been a great point guard option. Not only has he scored at least 33 fantasy points in five-straight games, he's seeing well over 30 minutes per outing. His price is still way too low, making him a great value at $16.
Isaiah Canaan, PHI vs. BOS ($11): Canaan has scored at least 21 fantasy points nine times in his last 11 games and has surpassed 25 fantasy points in his last four. Finding a player whose floor is 20-plus fantasy points at a minimum price is just impossible to pass up and that's just what Canaan gives right now. This could be a great matchup as well, as the Boston defense is really struggling without Jae Crowder.
Guard to Avoid:
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. ORL ($44): With the Raptors playing four times in the last six nights, Lowry may be due for a rest. Coach Dwayne Casey said he would rest his starters down this stretch and he's yet to give Lowry a day off. It may be the case of Casey managing Lowry's minutes and that could also make this a bad play. Toronto comes into the game as a double-digit favorite, and if they do blow the Magic out, it wouldn't be a shock to see Lowry play fewer than 30 minutes, if he plays at all.
FORWARD:
Carmelo Anthony, NYK vs. SAC ($43): Melo has been as reliable as anyone since the All-Star break and this is the matchup of all matchups. Anthony has surpassed 32 fantasy points in 21 of his last 22 games and has been dropping 40s and 50s regularly in that span. The best part about this play is the matchup, as the Kings are easily the worst defense in the NBA, which Anthony took advantage of earlier this season by posting 23 points, 14 rebounds and four assists against them. The forward position is rather light for this slate, so it will be important to get reliable points from a guy like Anthony.
Ryan Anderson, NOP vs. LAC ($23): With Anthony Davis out of the lineup, Anderson will pick up more minutes and, more importantly, more shots. He's been hot lately too, as Anderson has scored at least 23 fantasy points in five consecutive games, including three games with at least 40. This is a great matchup as well, with the Clippers having very little in terms of power forward defense with Blake Griffin on the shelf.
Forward to Avoid:
Aaron Gordon, ORL at TOR ($29): Gordon has emerged as a great player in the second half, but this price is getting a bit out of hand. The power forward is averaging just 16 fantasy points per game in his last three and the usage rate is down. What's more concerning is the matchup, as the Raptors rank fifth in total defense and are allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to power forwards this season. A $29 player needs to score 30-plus fantasy points and that could be very tough for Gordon on Sunday.
CENTER:
Bismack Biyombo, TOR vs. ORL ($12): Biyombo has been a beast lately and continues to be a great value. The fill-in center has scored at least 24 fantasy points in four consecutive games and is averaging over 33 fantasy points per game in that span. It's unclear if Jonas Valanciunas will play, but even if he does, Biyombo should get 25 minutes. Another encouraging aspect of this play is that the Magic are the eighth-most blocked team in the league, which is the stat right up Biyombo's alley.
Center to Avoid:
Greg Monroe, MIL vs. UTA ($26): Monroe has only scored more than 27 fantasy points three times in his last 11 and hasn't scored more than 36 in that span. That's too low of a ceiling for a top-tier center and it makes him tough to trust. The matchup is scary as well, with the Jazz dominating the paint and ranking as one of the three-best defenses in the NBA. Additionally, they rank second in the league in fantasy points allowed per game to centers this season.
