This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Sunday evening's five-game slate packs plenty of star power and intriguing matchups. FantasyDraft's unique roster construction offers the flexibility to maximize your exposure, so let's dive in to where you might best allocate your resources:
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR at LAL ($17,600): Lillard churned out an efficient 46.50 fantasy points Saturday against the Timberwolves, and his matchup Sunday is even better, as the Lakers have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points per game (55.7) to point guards this season, including the third-most (63.3) over the last five games. Among their poor rankings in other categories against the position, they give up the most assists (10.0), a particularly relevant number in Lillard's case. For those who need to save a few hundred, Stephen Curry ($16,900) makes for a nice option, considering he's averaged 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game in three starts against the Grizzlies this season.
Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. POR ($12,600):C.J. McCollum ($14,000) is certainly also in play on the other side of this matchup, but Clarkson can be had at a significant savings and carries just as much upside. He exploded for 35 points against the Timberwolves on Friday and had scored between 26.00 and 52.50 fantasy points in five other games over the previous six. He's been solid against the Blazers in his three previous encounters this season, averaging 17.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 29.7 minutes, and he should be in for extended run Sunday as a starter.
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. NO ($7,800): Murray has been a dependable source of fantasy production off the bench, as he's scored between 21.00 and 35.50 fantasy points in six of the last eight. The rookie will face off against a Pelicans squad that's surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points per game (45.2) to shooting guards this season, including the eighth-most (46.3) over the last 10. Additionally, Murray has a 24.6 percent usage rate since the All-Star break.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
Anthony Davis, NO at DEN ($18,000): It's a tough call between Davis and Nikola Jokic ($18,100), who should wage an epic battle against each other. You're okay with either, but with DeMarcus Cousins potentially missing Sunday's contest with an ankle sprain, I'll give Davis the nod. The fact that he already torched Denver for 50 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, five steals and four blocks in his one previous game against them this season (opening night) doesn't hurt, nor does his 36.8 percent usage rate without Cousins on the floor. Davis also has scored over 45 fantasy points in six of his last seven games and has ripped off four straight double-doubles, while Denver is giving up the fourth-most points per game (22.4) and second-highest field-goal percentage (57.2) to centers this season.
Julius Randle, LAL vs. POR ($13,800):Jusuf Nurkic ($14,200) is also in a terrific spot on the other side of this game, while Al Horford ($13,000) has turned it up several notches recently and makes for a solid play. Meanwhile, Randle should be able to make some hay against a Blazers squad that's given up the third-most fantasy points per game (50.0) to power forwards this season season, including the second-most (54.3) over the last five.
Richaun Holmes, PHI at IND ($11,600): Holmes is likely to draw another start for Jahlil Okafor (knee), providing him with an opportunity to build on a recent stretch in which he scored over 30 fantasy points on four occasions and over 50 once over six games. He's turned in a couple of modest outings against the Thunder and Bulls in his last two, but those have come in tough matchups and could serve to drive his ownership down. However, Holmes notably draws one of the best matchups for centers in the Pacers, who have given up the seventh-most fantasy points per game (52.0) to centers this season, including the third-most (60.9) over the last 10. They're also tied with the Sixers for second-most rebounds (16.0) allowed to the position, furthering Holmes' case.
UTILITY
Mike Conley, MEM at GS ($14,300): If you've got a few hundred to spare, Goran Dragic ($14,700) is also in a good spot against a Celtics team that he's averaged 29.0 points, 12.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game against over two starts this season. However, Conley has been a dependable offensive presence despite the Grizzlies' occasional struggles to score points, and he's averaged a solid 23.5 points, 10.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game against the Warriors in two prior contests this season. He also scored between 42.75 and 51.25 fantasy points in a four-game stretch earlier in March, and has scored no fewer than 28 in the last six. The Warriors allowed 50.7 fantasy points per game to point guards, and Conley should see plenty of usage in what will be an up-tempo game.
Myles Turner, IND vs. PHI ($12,700): Just like Holmes above, Turner has a solid matchup against a 76ers defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game (56.9) to centers this season, including the second-most (61.6) over the last 10. They've also yielded the most points (23.7) and second-most rebounds (16.0) to the position, while ranking in the bottom 10 in several other categories. Turner has scored over 30 fantasy points in five of his last six games and has been providing solid production across the stat sheet, including multiple blocks five times over that span.
