This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Sunday's schedule is quite spread out, with the first game tipping off at 3:00 p.m. EST and the last at 9:00 p.m., which makes it imperative to be careful with injuries and avoid any question marks in the late game.
GUARDS
Jrue Holiday, NOP at SAC ($33): Holiday is averaging 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game over his last 10, which is nearly 50 fantasy points per game. That's a tremendous return for his price. His Sunday matchup is excellent as well, with Darren Collison's 114.4 defensive rating ranking as one of the worst on the Kings.
Darren Collison, SAC vs. NOP ($16): While Collison hasn't been playing great defense, he's been balling out on offense. Not only does he have at least 23 fantasy points in five straight games, he's averaging over 30 fantasy points per game in that span. He is playing nearly 37 minutes per game over the last five, and he'll now face a New Orleans defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Guard to Avoid
Michael Carter-Williams, CHI at MIN ($13): Carter-Williams was starting in the absence of Jimmy Butler, but now that Butler's back, Carter-Williams is back to being a reserve. In his last two games, Carter-Williams has just 13 combined fantasy points while playing very few minutes. Some may look at his previous two games when he scored 40 fantasy points, but the minutes just aren't there anymore to expect that kind of production.
FORWARDS
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. NOP ($57): Cousins and Anthony Davis are the two best options on this slate and Cousins makes for a great lineup foundation. He has scored at least 45 fantasy points in five straight games, while averaging over 50 per game for the season. The matchup may be the best part, with the Pelicans allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to centers this season. That's evident in his form against them, with Cousins averaging 29 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks per game against New Orleans over the past two seasons.
Matt Barnes, SAC vs. NOP ($15): Barnes has been awesome filling in for Garrett Temple and Rudy Gay, as he's been one of the best bench players in the league over recent weeks. Not only does he have at least 21 fantasy points in seven straight games, he's averaging nearly 30 per game in that span. That's fantastic value on his $15 price, and the minutes make him a near guarantee to reach value. In fact, Barnes is averaging 32 minutes per game over his last five games.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, NYK vs. SAN ($38): Anthony deserves some credit for how good he's been recently, but this is just an impossible matchup. Melo has a date with Kawhi Leonard, which is a nightmare. What's equally as discouraging is the form of these two teams, as the Spurs could render Melo useless by the fourth quarter if they take care of business and blow them out as anticipated.
CENTERS
Robin Lopez, CHI at MIN ($13): Lopez has been much better than his price would indicate and he's easily one of the best center values of the day. Over his last six games, Lopez is averaging 14.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. That's just south of 30 fantasy points per game, which is amazing value for a $13 player. This is a matchup where Lopez will need to play big minutes too, as he's one of the only bigs on the Bulls who can match up with Karl-Anthony Towns.
Dewayne Dedmon, SAN at NYK ($10): Dedmon has taken over starting center duties in the absence of Pau Gasol and playing some of the best ball of his career. With 70 combined fantasy points over his last two games, Dedmon has been one of the catalysts for big cashes in tournaments, as he's obliterating his price in terms of production. The matchup is the icing on the cake, with the Knicks allowing the third-most fantasy points to centers this season.
Center to Avoid
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. DET ($18): Valanciunas is reasonably priced at $18, but a matchup with Andre Drummond has become one of the toughest tasks in the league. In fact, Drummond ranks as the second-best defender in the NBA with an incredible 98 defensive rating. While Valanciunas isn't completely off-limits, he's just a tough pick in a difficult matchup.
