This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Sunday's 10-game NBA slate begins at 3 p.m. Eastern. Read on to find out which players to target and which should be avoided regardless of contest format.
GUARD
Tim Frazier, WAS at TOR ($10): Frazier's arguably the best backup point guard Washington has had in the John Wall era, and the team's decision to acquire him in the offseason should prove key here since Wall had his arm in a sling after Friday's game and may have made the injury worse by continuing to play after getting hurt. It's hard for a starting point guard not to outplay a minimum $10 valuation, especially on a team that relies as much on the point guard position as Washington. Disregard this pick if Wall suits up, but Frazier's a game-changing option if the usual starter sits as expected.
Jeremy Lamb, CHA at MIN ($21): Lamb's early season breakout has flown under the radar, but the 25-year-old shooting guard is putting things together for a Hornets team with serious playoff aspirations, averaging 18.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 3.2 APG in 31 minutes per game. His price won't stay this low for long once word gets out about Lamb's fast start, and his scoring potential is astronomical against a Minnesota team that allows the third-most points per game at 113.1.
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Guard to Avoid:
Mike Conley, MEM at LAA ($33): Conley may seem like a strong play in this matchup with defensively challenged rookie Lonzo Ball, but health concerns make the veteran point guard a risky pick. He sat out Wednesday due to an Achilles injury, and it's anyone's guess how well Conley will hold up in the second leg of a back-to-back. Conley's also been underwhelming when he plays, failing to live up to his price with just 29.2 fantasy points per game heading into the weekend.
FORWARD
Rudy Gay, SA vs. PHO ($24): Gay's DFS value will shrink tremendously once Kawhi Leonard (quad) returns, so ride the veteran forward for the next 2-3 weeks while you can. The Suns have allowed the second-most points per game at 117.0, so Gay should thrive on the offensive end in this matchup after posting 36.9 fantasy points in a season-high 27 minutes during his team's last game Friday.
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. IND ($44): Don't worry about Porzingis' ankle injury, as he was a game-time decision due to the same ailment Friday against the Suns but still ended up posting more than 52.0 fantasy points for the fourth time in five games. The unicorn is the early season frontrunner for Most Improved Player and could even earn some MVP votes as New York's new and improved offensive focal point following Carmelo Anthony's departure. Porzingis should have another tremendous performance at home against a Pacers team that allows 109.2 points per game, plus using him gives you an excuse to root for arguably league's most entertaining player.
Forward to Avoid:
Blake Griffin, LAC vs. MIA ($45): Griffin drove up his price by opening the season with a pair of performances surpassing 47.0 fantasy points against two awful defensive teams in the Lakers and Suns, but he hasn't been able to top 43.0 in five games since while averaging 33.2 in his last three. Turning things around won't be easy against a Heat team that's been stingier than average in points allowed while depressing fantasy-point totals with a below-average pace.
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CENTER
Marc Gasol, MEM at LAA ($34): Gasol's been a pivotal player on both ends as usual, and will take on additional duties if Conley (Achilles) is limited or out. The veteran center has provided a tremendous floor with at least 33.9 fantasy points in every game while averaging more than 40.0 despite being priced at just $34. In addition to being a safe choice, Gasol's well-rounded stat line gives him plenty of upside against a Lakers team that allows 107.9 points per game.
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at CLE ($11): Dedmon's already outplayed his $11 price with 21.0 fantasy points per game in just less than 24 minutes per contest, but he should get a lot more playing time here with fellow big man Mike Muscula (knee) joining Ersan Ilyasova (knee) on the sidelines. The additional minutes should translate into nice production against a Cavaliers team that's allowed the fourth-most points per game at 113.0 while also posting a minus-.4 differential on the glass. Don't be surprised to see Dedmon near the top in fantasy points to price ratio in this slate.
Center to Avoid:
Clint Capela, HOU vs. UTA ($28): Capela's been a great value pick in the early going, averaging a double-double in less than 25 minutes per game. However, that lack of playing time coupled with a rough matchup make Capela tough to trust, and he's demonstrated a low floor by coming up short of 21.0 fantasy points three times already. Utah's league-low pace has depressed opposing fantasy totals all season, as the defensively proficient Jazz allow the second-fewest points per game at just 96.0.
