This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Despite only five games on the schedule, there should be an abundance of fantasy points scored, as five of the six worst defenses based on defensive efficiency are in action. In addition, Miami is the only team in the top 12 in defensive efficiency, so fantasy points should come at ease. The four games worth targeting are the Trail Blazers-Suns, Nets-Knicks, Cavs-Rockets and Lakers-76ers.
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR at PHX ($44): Lillard has been a beast recently, averaging 27.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 0.7 steals per game over his last eight. He'll now face a Phoenix defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to point guards this season, and Lillard is averaging over 40 per game against the Suns in two meetings this year.
Jeremy Lin, BKN vs. NYK ($15): Lin has scored at least 24 fantasy points in five of his last six games, which have come after he returned from a hamstring injury, and his minutes continue to increase. What is most enticing about Lin is his 29.6 percent usage rate across his last five games, as he's clearly the go-to guy in the offense. Finally, Lin faces a Knicks defense that ranks 25th in defensive efficiency.
Guard to Avoid
Jeff Teague, IND vs. MIA ($28):Paul George has taken the reigns of the offense and it's left Teague's numbers in the dust. Not only has Teague failed to surpass 32 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games, he scored 28 or fewer in six of those. That's simply not good enough and it should be even tougher against an elite Miami defense that allows the sixth-fewest fantasy points to point guards this season, while ranking as one of the three-best defenses in the NBA over their last 25 games.
FORWARDS
Julius Randle, LAL vs. PHI ($28): Randle has taken on a bigger role recently and it's evident through his gaudy numbers. Since Feb. 19, Randle is averaging 12.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game, playing at least 29 minutes each time, and he'll now face a Philadelphia defense that has allowed the most fantasy points in the league to forwards this season.
Brandon Ingram, LAL vs. PHI ($11): Ingram has fallen into a boatload of minutes and that alone makes him valuable at this price. Over his last 13 games, Ingram is averaging 33 minutes per game, while scoring at least 20 fantasy points nine times. That 20-point mark doesn't sound huge, but it's great value for an $11 player. The matchup makes it a much easier sell too, as the Sixers are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to small forwards over their last five games.
Forward to Avoid
Dion Waiters, MIA at IND ($24): Waiters has mixed monster performances with duds all season and that inconsistency makes it tough to pay $24. Over his last six games, Waiters has scored 18 or fewer fantasy points three times. Meanwhile, the Pacers are a tough matchup, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to shooting guards over their last five games.
CENTERS
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at PHX ($22): Nurkic has been a freak in his new role with Portland, and his price is not indicative of how good he's been. Since joining the Blazers, Nurkic is averaging nearly 40 fantasy points per game, which is unbelievable value for a $22 player. What's really changed is his role, as he's now playing a full complement of minutes, while running much of the Blazers' offense through the high-post. All that doesn't even consider Sunday's matchup, with the Suns ranking 27th in defensive efficiency.
Jahlil Okafor, PHI at LAL ($12): Okafor has seen major increases in role and minutes, with the absences of Joel Embiid (injury), Nerlens Noel (trade) and Ersan Ilyasova (trade) looming large. Without those three, Okafor has been starting at center and has scored at least 23 fantasy points in three straight games. The matchup against the Lakers is what's most enticing, with Los Angeles allowing the second-most fantasy points to centers this season.
Center to Avoid
Trevor Booker, BKN vs. NYK ($18): Booker has had a very good season for the Nets, but he hasn't played more than 27 minutes since the beginning of January, while only surpassing 31 fantasy points twice in that 22-game span. Sunday's matchup should allow him to approach a double-double, but there's simply not enough breakout potential.
