This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We're down to a compact four-game slate Sunday afternoon and evening, which can sometimes make value plays a bit more scarce. However, a possible Russell Westbrook absence due to a shoulder injury and several other affordably priced players does give us plenty to choose from. Without further ado, let's take a look at some viable cost-savings options for your Sunday lineups:
POINT GUARD
D'Angelo Russell, BKN vs. GS ($6,900): Russell had been a bit on the underwhelming side in terms of actual points to open the season before racking up a season-best 24 (34.0 fantasy points) against the Pelicans on Friday. He's also scored 29.7 to 32 fantasy points in the three games prior and sports a solid 25.5 percent usage rate. He should benefit from the bump in pace that comes with facing the Warriors, which are averaging 106.6 possessions per game over the last three contests. Another 4x-5x return is therefore a strong possibility, considering the extra opportunities Russell should see in this game.
Ricky Rubio, UTA at DAL ($5,700): Rubio finally enjoyed his first true breakout game of the season versus the Pelicans after a slow start, posting 54.2 fantasy points against New Orleans on Saturday night on the strength of a 28-point, 12-assist double-double. The veteran point guard gets another favorable matchup Sunday against a Mavericks squad that could be without Dennis Smith, Jr. (ankle) and that's allowing 45.45 fantasy points per game to point guards. Dallas is also allowing a bottom-10 figure in points (23.7) per game to the position, along with the most steals (2.9) to ones overall. Given the matchup and his price, he's a viable option if you're looking to cut costs at the position.
SHOOTING GUARD
Dennis Schroder, OKC vs. PHO ($6,700): As alluded to earlier, Russell Westbrook is questionable for Sunday's contest, and his potential absence would naturally bump Schroder's prospects up significantly. However, the veteran point guard is a solid play in any situation, considering he's been logging solid minutes and has scored nearly a fantasy point per minute in the two games since returning to the bench upon Westbrook's season debut. Schroder compiled 30.8 fantasy points (in 32 minutes) and 23.6 fantasy points (in 23 minutes) versus the Kings and Celtics, respectively, and he'll be in an excellent matchup again Sunday. The Suns check in allowing the most fantasy points per game to point guards (50.6) -- along with the ninth-most points (23.6), most assists (6.2) and most steals (2.2) – giving Schroder multiple paths to production.
Klay Thompson, GS at BKN ($6,200): Thompson has gotten off to a modest start this season in comparison to fellow superstar teammates Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, but he's scored a serviceable 22.3 to 31.6 fantasy points over his last four games. Thompson is still sporting a solid 23.5 percent usage rate as well, and he could be in line to thrive versus a Nets team that's allowing 39.6 fantasy points per game to shooting guards, along with the third most steals (2.2). Brooklyn is also tied with the Thunder for the eighth-highest three-point shooting percentage surrendered (36.8 percent), certainly a factor when considering a long-range marksman like Thompson.
SMALL FORWARD
Danilo Gallinari, LAC vs. WAS ($7,000): Gallinari has been of the Clippers' most consistent sources of offense in the early going, unsurprising given his usual scoring acumen. The veteran is healthy and providing an average of 32.3 fantasy points per contest over his first five games, crossing the 30-fantasy-point threshold in three games thus far. The veteran wing now gets a crack at a Wizards squad that's allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to small forwards (45.2), along with the most rebounds (12.1) to the position. The Wizards also come in allowing the seventh-highest three-point shooting percentage on the road (36.7 percent), furthering Gallinari's case for some supplemental fantasy production.
Kelly Oubre, Jr., WAS at LAC ($4,100): Oubre has been outperforming both his price and starter Otto Porter, Jr. in recent games, as he's turned in fantasy-point tallies of 35.2 and 40.8 in two of his last three contests. The emerging wing has a 19.5 percent usage rate (including a career-high 10.4 shot attempts per game) and has seen between 28 and 39 minutes in his last three games, a sign his role may be expanding. The Clippers come in about middle of the pack versus small forwards (39.8 fantasy points per game allowed to the position), but Oubre's second-unit role should allow him to take advantage of some favorable one-on-one matchups versus the Los Angeles bench and provide a solid return on a very affordable price.
POWER FORWARD
Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs. WAS ($5,500): Harrell has unsurprisingly been the model of efficiency and aggression when on the court, simply an extension of what he demonstrated toward the tail end of last season. The energetic big man is increasingly moving in on Marcin Gortat's playing time in the early going, as Harrell has logged between 22 and 27 minutes in the last three games. He's parlayed that playing time into fantasy-point totals of 43.5, 30.7 and 49.7, outstanding returns on his current price. Harrell's usage rate stands at a rock-solid 23.5 percent, and he'll be in a good position against a Wizards team already surrendering 50.3 fantasy points per game to power forwards 57.0 per game to centers (including the second-most rebounds at 19.7 per game), the two positions that Harrell fills.
Jerami Grant, OKC vs. PHO ($4,800): Grant has moved into the starting lineup in place of Patrick Patterson, making him an intriguing value play at his price. Grant has already exceeded 20 fantasy points on three occasions over his first four games, with the high point coming against the Celtics as a member of the first unit in his last contest (25.7). The Suns come in allowing 42.8 fantasy points per game to fours and the fourth-most points in the paint (56.8), two factors that should work in Grant's favor Sunday.
CENTER
Jarrett Allen, BKN vs. GS ($6,500): Hopes were high for Allen's second season given his considerable upside, and the young center has been validating that optimism thus far. Allen has scored over 30 fantasy points in three of his last four games and has recorded multiple blocks in three contests overall as well. He's also hauled in between eight and 11 rebounds in four of his five games, giving him plenty of paths to fantasy production. The Warriors are giving up 55.3 fantasy points per game to centers, as well as the seventh-most rebounds per contest (17.7) to the position. Given Allen's prowess on the boards and his overall ability, his chances of paying off a very affordable price appear solid Sunday.
