This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
There are nine contests on tap for Sunday, but they are split up between two early games and seven later games. Thus, the matchups actually split into an extremely-short two-game schedule and a reasonably diverse seven-game slate.
Point Guard
Jrue Holiday, NO at LAC ($5,700), early: Holiday has been playing well of late, averaging 15.3 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 boards in more than 31 minutes per game over his last three, as he has finally worked through his minutes restriction. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is questionable to play Sunday, and if he can't go, Holiday will be among those asked to pick up the offensive slack.
Damian Lillard, POR vs. OKC ($8,900), late: Lillard torched the Warriors for 40 points and 10 assists in his last game. Over the Thunder's last two, they have allowed 42 points to Lou Williams and a 23-point, nine-assist, eight-rebound near triple-double to Mario Chalmers. This matchup just seems to be strength vs. weakness, which should work to Lillard's advantage.
Shooting Guard
Wesley Matthews, DAL at MIN ($5,300), early: Matthews is the best option on a very thin shooting guard slate early Sunday. He scores in double-digits every game, and with Deron Williams questionable to play, he could be called upon to produce a bit more on offense.
Will Barton, DEN vs. CHA ($6,900), late: Barton is in the midst of a career-year, but since his 21-point, 13-rebound, seven-assist effort in double-overtime against the Warriors last Saturday, he has been in a funk, averaging 6.0 points per game on 7-for-27 shooting in last three. Barton is too talented to stay down for long, and Sunday is his chance to bounce back against a Hornets defense that is 27th in the NBA against opposing shooting guards.
Small Forward
Shabazz Muhammad, MIN vs. DAL ($3,700), early:Andrew Wiggins is the only potential impact player on the board at small forward, at a very reasonable price, so he is the obvious chalk play. The second small forward slot is less obvious, though, and Muhammad may be playing the best of the rest, as he has scored more than 20 fantasy points in four of his last five games.
Paul George, IND at HOU ($8,800), late: George has an excellent matchup against a Rockets defense that ranks in the bottom third in the NBA in production allowed to opposing small forwards. Plus, Dwight Howard may miss Sunday's game with a back injury that would eliminate their best defender. Finally, this seems like the kind of game that could easily devolve into a George vs. James Harden shootout that could produce big numbers on both sides.
Power Forward
Ryan Anderson, NOP at LAC ($5,500), early:Anthony Davis injured his back Friday, and while he is traveling with the team, he is questionable to play Sunday. But whether Davis plays or not, Anderson is still a solid option who should get his shots. And if Davis sits, he becomes an elite option on a very thin early Sunday slate in which the only other healthy impact power forward available is Dirk Nowitzki.
Clint Capela, HOU vs. IND ($4,900), late: Like Anderson, Capela should get his minutes whether his injured star teammate plays or not. But if that teammate, Dwight Howard, does sit then it makes Capela a potential impact player for a low price against an unimpressive Pacers front line.
Center
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. NOP ($8,000), early: There are three very good centers to choose from early Sunday, but while Karl-Anthony Towns and Zaza Pachulia have to face off against each other, Jordan has a much better matchup against a Pelicans frontline that is terrible defending opposing centers even when healthy and would be even worse if Anthony Davis sits out with his back injury.
Ian Mahinmi, IND at HOU ($5,100), late: Mahinmi is playing very well, averaging 12.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in his last three, and he is coming off of a strong 17-point, 10-rebound, four-block effort against the Pelicans. On Sunday, he will face a Rockets defense that is likely to be without center Dwight Howard.
