This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
There are 12 games on Sunday, but they are spread throughout the day from starting at 1:00 PM ET to starting at 9:00 PM. For their "Main" contest schedule, FanDuel chose the seven games starting at 6:00 PM and after. The article below will focus on those seven games. There is also an "Early" contest schedule for the four games starting at 3:00 PM or 3:30 PM, and for those interested, here's some advice on those games.
The seven main games have some storylines and matchups of interest, starting with a backcourt battle of John Wall and Bradley Beal of the Wizards and Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Warriors. The Warriors have been in the zone of late and are playing at home, but the Wizards are fighting for the top seed in the East and have their own firepower in the backcourt. The Rockets at the Suns is interesting, if the Suns can keep it close, because there's a lot of offense and not a lot of defense in this game. LeBron James gets to lock horns with Paul George, while Nikola Jokic and Hassan Whiteside try each other on for size as well. The Pelicans seem to have found a balance between their twin towers, with both Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins putting up video games together recently. DeMar DeRozan has also regained his swagger, and will get to test that against the 76ers.
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs PHI ($9200): DeRozan has scored between 31.6 and 66.4 fantasy points in his last six games, with five of those featuring over 40 and three over 52. On Sunday, he faces a 76ers defense that he has averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 combined steals/blocks against in three games this season.
Dennis Schroder, ATL at BKN ($7000): This was a toss-up between Schroder and Rajon Rondo, who played each other Saturday with both putting up big numbers. Schroder got the call here due to his better matchup against a Nets defense that has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to point guards in the last 10 games.
Jamal Murray, DEN at MIA ($3700): Murray will be starting at point guard Sunday for the Nuggets, with Jameer Nelson out. He's been a producer in the mid-teens/low-20s of fantasy points in his role off the bench, so he has legit 30 fantasy-point potential as a starter. He has a touch matchup against a strong Heat defense, but his price may make him worth the risk.
Jimmy Butler, CHI at NO ($9,900): Butler averaged 51.2 fantasy points with a minimum of 42.7 and a maximum of 66.9 in his last eight games. On Sunday, he faces a Pelicans defense that has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to shooting guards in the last 10 games.
Nikola Mirotic, CHI at NO ($5500): Mirotic has a tough matchup Sunday against Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, but he's been playing really well at a low price lately. In his last five games, Mirotic has averaged 34.7 fantasy points with a minimum of 20.8 and a maximum of 44, with a median value of 38.1.
Justin Anderson, PHI at TOR ($3600): Anderson has recently taken over as the starting small forward in Philadelphia, replacing Robert Covington. He has a tough matchup Sunday against a strong Raptors defense, but he has a near-minimum price tag and is coming off a 12-point/10-rebound double-double with three assists and a block against the Cavaliers on Friday.
DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs CHI ($9600): The Bulls have been strong against centers recently, allowing the fourth fewest fantasy points over the last 10 games. Cousins has scored between 49.2 and 69.2 fantasy points in the last four games, though, and has the talent and size to produce against Chicago.
Dwight Howard, ATL at BKN ($7600): Howard has scored 31.9, 53 and 41.2 fantasy points in his last three games and has scored at least 31.5 in eight straight. He faces a Nets defense that has allowed the 15th most fantasy points to centers in the last 10 games.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs PHI ($5500): Valanciunas gets a boost for facing a 76ers defense that has been awful against centers, allowing the most fantasy points to the position over both the last 10 games and the season. He's an up-and-down player, but he's been "up" in the last two games with 41.9 and 40 fantasy points.
