This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Despite there being seven NBA games Sunday, there are only five on the evening slate that starts at 5:00 p.m. EST. What's interesting is that four of the five games have spreads of at least six points. While that does make things tougher, it should help limit the field. Avoiding many of the teams who are heavy underdogs could be key to cashing.
GUARDS
Yogi Ferrell, DAL vs. OKC ($16): Ferrell has scored at least 21 fantasy points in four straight games while averaging more than that since Deron Williams' departure. It's the minutes that are most encouraging, as he's averaging 30 per game as the starting point guard. Sunday's matchup is great too, with Oklahoma City allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. NOP ($12): It's a wonder why Clarkson's price is so cheap, as he's one of the best bench players in the NBA. He's been especially hot lately, scoring at least 23 fantasy points in four straight games, while averaging nearly 30 per game in that span. That's incredible value for an $11 player and it doesn't even consider the fact that he gets to face a Pelicans defense that is allowing the third-most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Guard to Avoid
Darren Collison, SAC vs. UTA ($21): It appeared Collison was looking at monster minutes and usage in the absence of DeMarcus Cousins, but that simply hasn't been the case. With 23 or fewer fantasy points in four of his last five games, it appears Collison is losing value more than gaining. That becomes even scarier in this matchup, with Utah ranking no. 1 in total defense and allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to point guards this season.
FORWARDS
Derrick Favors, UTA at SAC ($15): Favors is coming off one of his best games of the season Friday, and he may be poised for a monster final 20-plus games. When he was fully healthy last season, Favors was a $30 player, so he's a great value at half that price now. His upside is what's most encouraging, as he's scored at least 24 fantasy points in four of his last five games. In addition, he faces a depleted Sacramento frontcourt that ranks as a below-average defense.
Brandon Ingram, LAL vs. NOP ($11): The numbers aren't pretty from Ingram, but he's simply playing too many minutes to pass up at this price. He is averaging 36 minutes per game across his last four, and the Lakers want to play him as much as possible to speed up his development. It's not like Ingram has been terrible either, as he scored at least 20 fantasy points in three of those four games.
Forward to Avoid
Harrison Barnes, DAL vs. OKC ($26): I always try to avoid the player who is squaring off with Andre Roberson, as he's developed into one of the best lockdown defenders in the NBA. Barnes' upside concerns me too, as he's only surpassed 30 fantasy pints once in his last eight games. Much of that is attributed to his new role, as Dirk Nowitzki, Nerlens Noel, Seth Curry and Yogi Ferrell have taken much of the fantasy production he was thriving off of earlier in the season.
CENTERS
Al Horford, BOS at PHX ($23): Horford was in a nightmare slump over the past few weeks, but the last two games show that he may be crawling out of it. Averaging almost 32 fantasy points per game in that span, he's obliterating his $23 price. What's especially enticing is the matchup, with Phoenix ranking 28th in defensive efficiency.
Nerlens Noel, DAL vs. OKC ($16): Noel captured the starting center role in Dallas and dropped 44 fantasy points in a win over Memphis, who happens to be one of the toughest defenses in the league. That's unbelievable value at this cheap price. Sunday's matchup is one in which Noel will need to play 30 minutes too, as the Thunder have one of the most stout frontlines in the NBA.
Center to Avoid
Tyson Chandler, PHX vs. BOS ($17): Not only did Chandler lose his starting job to develop youngsters, he hasn't played since Feb. 15. That seems weird for a $17 player, but that just makes Chandler off-limits for the rest of the season. Unless Alex Len or Alan Williams gets injured, Chandler's fantasy relevance appears to be over.
