This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
In small slates like this, it's imperative to fill your lineup with a mixture of studs and value plays. That's why we're going to focus on offering as many cheap options as possible, so you can get players like Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. The reason this stars-and-scrubs approach is so crucial on small slates is because you simply can't miss out on the biggest line of the day.
GUARD
Rajon Rondo, CHI at BOS ($25): Rondo is averaging 12.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game over the last 12 games, which coincides with when he reclaimed the starting point guard role, and he's doing it in a solid 31 minutes per outing. Sunday's matchup is excellent as well, with Isaiah Thomas ranking as one of the worst defenders in the NBA.
Kent Bazemore, ATL at WSH ($10): It's rare to find a minimum priced player with a legitimate role, but we have that with Bazemore. Not only is he averaging over 21 fantasy points per game for the season, Bazemore has scored at least 16 fantasy points in 13 straight games. That's not huge production, but it's great value for a player at just $10. What's also encouraging is the matchup, as Bazemore will be playing against a weak Washington bench throughout this series.
Guard to Avoid
Victor Oladipo, OKC at HOU ($22): Many people will look at a couple of big games from Oladipo recently and pivot to him, but that would be a mistake. One of those games came in the absence of usage-beast Russell Westbrook and the other was just a blip on the radar. Oladipo had scored 19 or fewer fantasy points in the other four games in that six-game span. That's more indicative of his season numbers, with Oladipo struggling to find his role all season.
FORWARD
Markieff Morris, WSH vs. ATL ($17): This price is simply way too cheap for someone whose performed like Morris this season. Not only is he averaging over 26 fantasy points per game for the year, he's a guarantee for 30 minutes. What's most promising is the success that Morris has had against Atlanta this season, scoring at least 28 fantasy points in all four games against them.
Andre Roberson, OKC at HOU ($10): This is a sneaky play, as Roberson always plays more minutes against the Rockets because he's tasked with trying to slow down James Harden. It only adds to his value, with Harden leading the league in turnovers. Roberson's season-long numbers speak for themselves against Houston, as he's averaging 27 fantasy points in 35 minutes per game in four appearances, and that sort of upside at minimum price is impossible to overlook.
Forward to Avoid
Ersan Ilyasova, ATL at WSH ($20): With Paul Millsap back and fully healthy, Ilyasova should be looking at a diminished role. In the four games that Millsap has played since returning, Ilyasova is averaging just 16 fantasy points in only 20 minutes per contest. That's simply not enough usage for a $20 player, especially against a stingy Washington defense.
CENTER
Marcin Gortat, WSH vs. ATL ($13): Gortat was in a terrible slump throughout the second half of the season, but he appears to be getting out of it, as he's scored at least 21 fantasy points in five straight games. This is a guy who has averaged over 26 fantasy points per game for the season as well. It's not like his role has disappeared either, as he's still starting and regularly playing 25-plus minutes. He's had success against Atlanta this season too, averaging over 26 fantasy points per game against them.
Steven Adams, OKC at HOU ($13): Adams is pretty much in the same boat as Gortat, as he's been way too productive to be this cheap. With an average of 24.4 fantasy points per game, Adams is still the go-to guy at center for OKC. He comes into this game hot, scoring at least 25 fantasy points in three straight games prior to a meaningless finale in which he played just 13 minutes. Houston is a fantastic matchup for centers as well, allowing the third-most fantasy points to the position this season. That's clear in Adams' numbers, as he averaged 26.5 fantasy points per game in four matchups against them this season.
Center to Avoid
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at GS ($32): Nurkic was incredible for the Blazers since the trade from Denver, but with his status up in the air, he's an easy fade. Even if Nurkic does suit up, it's unclear how long he'll last or if he'll have a minutes restriction. None of that considers his brutal matchup, as Golden State regularly renders centers useless with their small-ball style of play.
