This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With nine games on the schedule, Sunday offers plenty of opportunity for value picks in Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball.
GUARD
Michael Carter-Williams, MIL at NYK ($27) - After a terrible start to the season, Carter-Williams has become one of the best fantasy point guards in recent weeks, averaging 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game over his last six games. That's more than 40 fantasy points a game, an absurd value for a player less than $30. What's more, he hasn't committed more than four turnovers in any of those games. It's clear that MCW is finding his rhythm in the Milwaukee offense, and he should continue to provide value in a good matchup Sunday.
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. BOS ($10) - One of the keys of DFS is to capitalize on opportunities and there may be no better one that the one Chalmers is getting. Memphis has been without Mike Conley and Courtney Lee the last two games, and Chalmers has seen his role skyrocket. In those two games, he has scored more than 73 fantasy points and played an abundant 79 minutes. There might be no better return on investment than the minimally priced Chalmers, simply because of the opportunity he's getting. If Conley is out, Chalmers is a must play at $10.
Guard to Avoid:
Kyrie Irving, CLE at PHI ($30) - On the surface, this looks like a great play, but let's get deeper into it. Cleveland comes into this game as a 15-point favorite, and it seems like a strong possibility the starters won't play full minutes in a blowout. That's a bad sign for a player who has not even seen big minutes this season since recovering from his knee injury. Irving is averaging less than 25 minutes per game and may see even less than that here. Another concern is all the Cavaliers' weapons, as Irving is handling the ball less and taking fewer shots. It would be no surprise if Irving scored 30-plus fantasy points, but his upside is just too limited to use him with the minutes and the blowout potential at risk.
FORWARD
Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs. CHA ($32) - Since returning from an injury Jan. 2, Gallinari has been one of the best small forwards in the NBA. In fact, he is averaging just shy of 40 fantasy points per game in that four-game span. What's most impressive about that stretch is his usage, as Gallinari is averaging 16 shot attempts and 10.5 free-throw attempts per game. Usually this matchup is tough for a small forward against Nicolas Batum, but considering he is injured, that matchup is much easier. The Hornets rank in the bottom five in fantasy points allowed to small forwards since his injury and have struggled mightily on the defensive end in his absence.
Wesley Matthews, DAL at MIN ($19) - This play doesn't have a whole lot of upside, but Matthews is one of the bets of the day to exceed his price tag. Matthews has not scored less than 19 fantasy points in nine consecutive games, and it's nearly impossible to find a player with that sort of consistency. The goal is to match or exceed your price tag with your point total, and to have a player with a floor that matches his price tag makes for a fantastic bargain. He also gets a matchup against the Timberwolves, who rank in the bottom seven in fantasy points allowed to both shooting guards and small forwards this season. Consistency is the key for a player like Matthews, and he's a must at less than $20.
Forward to Avoid
Will Barton, DEN vs. CHA ($35) - The Barton run was fun while it lasted, but it appears to be nearly over. With the return of Danilo Gallinari, Barton has seen his role significantly decrease and his numbers fall off a cliff. In fact, he has less than 40 fantasy points in his last three games combined. This is a player who was averaging nearly 40 fantasy points a game prior to that stretch. Now, he's not this bad, but it's obvious the return of Gallo has killed his value. The price is what makes this play off limits, though, as $35 for a player who is averaging 13 fantasy points over his last three games is impossible to utilize. With the impending return of Emmanuel Mudiay, it may be time to sell high on Barton in season-long leagues, as well.
CENTER
Zaza Pachulia, DAL at MIN ($22) - Pachulia is the most underrated fantasy asset. He averages about 11 points and 11 rebounds a game and has been especially hot lately, averaging 12 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game over his last five games. That's about 35 fantasy points a game, great value for a $22 player. What makes him so reliable is that he has grabbed at least six rebounds in all of his last 20 games except one. He should have no problem grabbing his 19th double-double of the season in a great matchup against Minnesota, and that alone would obliterate his criminally cheap price.
Center to Avoid
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN vs. CHA ($14) - Nurkic will be a fantastic player in years to come, but fantasy owners are blinded by potential, which might those who buy in on Nurkic for Sunday. He very well may be a stud in a month from now, but the minutes and role are simply not there quite yet. He is still recovering from a knee injury and has averaged just 15 minutes per game in his first four games. Nurkic is also one of the most aggressive players in the NBA and can get in foul trouble before you blink. While his price is cheap, it's better to steer clear for now and capitalize on his price when his minutes inevitably rise in a couple weeks.
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