This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
This is an interesting day in DFS basketball. For one thing, there are games spanning from noon until 9:30 EST, but rarely are all of those games available in one contest. The "main" section has games starting tonight, but FanDuel offers a "main" set of games, an early games option, and a whole day option for smaller prizes. Also, the Pistons/Trail Blazers matchup was delayed from Saturday and added to the Sunday games on FanDuel. The end result is that there are five night games, instead of four, which can completely change the dynamic of your team picks.
James Harden, HOU at TOR ($11,500): The only reason this slot isn't Kyle Lowry is because the moderate-priced guard recommendation, Reggie Jackson, plays point guard so this slot needs to go to a shooting guard. Nevertheless, Harden is hardly a pity pick after he averaged 29.2 points, 12.4 assists, 9.1 boards and 1.6 combined steals and blocks (though with admittedly 5.7 turnovers) over 13 games from Dec. 12 to Jan. 6. He costs a lot, but produces big numbers in return.
Reggie Jackson, DET at POR ($7000): Jackson has been hot lately, averaging 22.3 points, 8.8 assists, 3.8 boards and 1.0 steals in his last four games. He'll face the Trail Blazers on Sunday in a game that could easily become a fantasy-friendly shootout.
T.J. McConnell ($5200) or Sergio Rodriguez ($4700), PHI at BKN: This slot will be determined by Rodriguez's availability. Rodriguez was originally listed as probable to play Friday before his ankle injury resurfaced, causing him to miss his third straight game. Over those three contests, McConnell has proven himself to be a worthy injury sub with averages of 10.7 points, 11 assists, 4.3 boards and 1.3 steals. Whichever one starts, they will be facing a weak Nets defense that ranks last in the NBA in production allowed to opposing point guards by a significant margin.
Aaron Gordon, ORL at LAL ($4800): Gordon's production has been up-and-down all season, but of late he has settled into a consistently positive groove. He has averaged 18.3 points, 7.3 boards, 5.0 assists and 2.3 treys per game over his last three.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs DET ($4500): Aminu seems to finally be returning to his solid garbage-man role. He has been brought back slowly since his injury, but has played at least 33 minutes in three games in a row now and has averaged 9.5 points, 9.0 boards, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals in his last two outings.
Derrick Favors, UTA at MEM ($4300): Favors continues to trend up toward normal after his long injury absence. He is coming off 30 minutes for the first time since his injury, and responded with 15 points, six boards, two blocks and three steals Saturday. He has a tough matchup with the Grizzlies on Sunday, but will be a value at this price if he's able to perform close to his usual level.
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs GS ($10,800): Cousins is a monster as always, surpassing 47 fantasy points in six of his last seven games. On Sunday, he'll face a Warriors defense that doesn't have anyone to slow him down, as he is much too athletic for ZaZa Pachulia and too large for Draymond Green.
Joel Embiid, PHI at BKN ($7300): Embiid continues to stretch his minutes restriction, as he reached 30 minutes in a contest last week. Over his last five outings, he's averaged 24.6 points, 0.4 boards, 2.6 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.0 steal in 28.4 minutes of action. He is too talented in every way to be slowed by Brook Lopez, so if he plays then Embiid should be in for another big game.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs HOU ($5300): Valanciunas has been up-and-down, but he defaults to a pretty solid center. In his last two games he has averaged 16 points, 10 boards and a blocked shot. The Rockets are solid up front, but Valanciunas is so big that he might be able to overpower them.
