This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Sunday's NBA slate starts at 3:30 p.m. Eastern and is a light one, with just six teams in action. Despite the limited selection, there are still strong value plays to be found if you know where to look. Read on to find out who those value plays are along with which players to avoid.
GUARD
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. NO ($27): Ball almost lived up to his $27 price with 23.8 fantasy points in a disappointing debut, then exploited a favorable matchup with 54.7 points and a near triple-double against the Suns. Guard play isn't New Orleans' strength, so expect the 2017 second overall pick to put up big numbers once again. Ball's price could easily skyrocket if he keeps up the form he showed in Phoenix, so grab him at $27 while you still can.
Dennis Schroder, ATL at BKN ($36): Schroder's off to a great start as the main man in Atlanta with Paul Millsap gone, as he is averaging 26.5 points and 6.0 assists per game. The lowly Nets allow 130.5 points per game, so the focal point of the Hawks' offense should thrive in this favorable matchup. Schroder could well end up significantly outscoring every guard not named Russell Westbrook in this slate.
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Guard to Avoid:
Jimmy Butler, MIN at OKC ($39): Butler's had trouble generating offense for himself with all the other mouths to feed in Minnesota, averaging just 12.5 points per game through two games. That average will surely rise as the team learns to play together, but it's hard to trust the offseason trade acquisition in these early stages. Stay away from Butler at this price against a talented Thunder team that could stick talented perimeter defender Paul George on him.
FORWARD
Taurean Prince, ATL at BKN ($18): Prince has managed at least 25.5 fantasy points in every game this season, blowing away expectations for an $18 player. And he has a golden opportunity to extend that streak given Brooklyn's defensive struggles. The second-year small forward is playing more than 27 minutes a game after playing fewer than 17 per contest last year, so his increased production is no fluke.
Trevor Booker, BKN vs. ATL ($14): Booker started the season with a pair of double-doubles, establishing himself as an inside presence for a Nets roster that experienced a lot of offseason roster turnover. The veteran big man has taken advantage of Brook Lopez's departure, taking an extra 2.2 shots and grabbing 2.8 more boards per game compared to last season in nearly identical minutes. At just $14, you can take the chance on Booker continuing his hot start with little downside.
Forward to Avoid:
Julius Randle, LAL vs. NO ($24): Randle hasn't reached double-digit points or 20 minutes of playing in game yet while averaging just 3.5 RPG. Bouncing back against New Orleans' star-studded frontcourt won't be easy, and Randle can't be trusted at this price regardless of the matchup.
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CENTER
Steven Adams, OKC vs. MIN ($13): Adams posted 42.5 fantasy points in the Thunder's opener, and totaling even half of that total in this one would make him a strong value play. He played 30 minutes in that game, so Oklahoma City's roster turnover hasn't had any negative effects on Adams' role. While he's not going to take many shots with Paul George, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony around, Adams proved that he doesn't need much offensive volume to find success by averaging more than eight rebounds, a steal and a block last season.
DeMarcus Cousins, NO at LAL ($52): Don't be surprised if Cousins ends up leading this slate in fantasy points. Boogie's averaging 31.5 PPG and 12.5 RPG, so don't expect a Lakers team that allows 119.0 points per game this season to contain him. Roll him out with full confidence.
Center to Avoid:
Timofey Mozgov, BKN vs. ATL ($10): Some thought Mozgov would take over most of Brook Lopez's minutes after the pair were exchanged in Los Angeles' salary dump, but he's played fewer than 16 minutes in each game with the Nets so far. The Russian center's limited role makes him a poor investment even at $10.
