This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With just three games on the schedule for Sunday, options are limited, though there's still some solid value out there to help build your lineups around. Here's a look at some of the best plays to consider for this small slate of games:
Premium Guard:
Devin Booker, PHX at MIN ($7,300): It's a wonder why Booker's price has yet to rise, as he's been one of the best shooting guards in fantasy throughout the season. In fact, Booker is averaging 34 fantasy points per game for the year, as his role has only increased since Eric Bledsoe was traded. That's evident in his usage, as Booker has a usage rate approaching 30, while averaging nearly 20 shots per game. That looks even better when you consider the fact that Minnesota ranks 25th in defensive efficiency. That was clear in Booker's one game against the T'Wolves this season, as he dropped 54 fantasy points in an absolute gem.
Middle-Tier Guard:
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. BRK ($6,900): With Mike Conley (Achilles) injured, Chalmers has filled-in seamlessly as the starting point guard for Memphis. Since capturing that role, Chalmers is averaging 24.3 fantasy points per game, while playing 30 minutes a game. More importantly, he sits with a 20.9 usage rate since being inserted into the starting five, as it's clear he's one of the primary options in the offense. All that pales into consideration to the matchup, as Chalmers faces a Brooklyn defense who ranks 29th in defensive efficiency, while allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing point guards.
Cheap Guard:
Tyler Ulis, PHX at MIN ($4,900): Ulis has taken over starting point guard duties for the Suns and it's raised his fantasy value exponentially. The last four games have been especially impressive, as he has scored at least 25 fantasy points in three of those four games. Getting a starting point guard who should play 30 minutes at under $5,000 is incentive enough to use him, but Ulis gets a great matchup as well. In fact, the Timberwolves rank 25th in defensive efficiency this season, and they might be without Jeff Teague as well.
Premium Forward:
JaMychal Green, MEM vs. BRK ($6,200): On such a short slate, there aren't really any reliable premium options, as Green makes for a nice cheap pivot. Most would insert Jimmy Butler or T.J. Warren into this slot, but they are both overpriced compared to their production and respective matchups. Green has the advantage in both of those categories, as he's underpriced in a fantastic matchup. In fact, Brooklyn ranks 29th in defensive efficiency, in addition to allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. Green's stock is ticking up too, as he has at least 22 fantasy points in four-straight games.
Middle-Tier Forward:
Denzel Valentine, CHI vs. MIA ($5,200): Since Valentine was inserted into the starting lineup, he's been performing above expectations. In fact, Valentine is averaging 10.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1,0 steal across his last 14 games. That's 25 fantasy points per game, which is 5X value. That's all you can hope for in a short slate like this, as the options are minimal across the board. Valentine is the perfect sort of player for this matchup too, as he should be asked to play heavy minutes against a Miami team who throws out as many wings as any team in the league.
Cheap Forward:
Josh Richardson, MIA at CHI ($4,600): Richardson has killed me in DFS a few times this season, but his price and role make him an intriguing option. The Miami small forward is playing nearly 34 minutes per game, which is an unseen number from a player priced at $4,600. He's proven he can obliterate that price tag too, as he's scored at least 24 fantasy points six times this season. Those sort of minutes become particularly attractive in this sort of matchup, as he faces a Chicago defense that ranks sixth in defensive efficiency.
Premium Center:
Marc Gasol, MEM vs. BRK ($9,200): Gasol has been a beast this season and he's hard to avoid in such a superb matchup. What's made him especially good recently is the fact that his usage has sky-rocketed recently, as he's asked to run the offense in the absence of Mike Conley (Achilles). In fact, Gasol has a usage rate of 28.1 for the season and over 30 since Conley went out. It shows in the fantasy production too, as he's averaging over 40 fantasy points per game for the season. The fact that he faces Brooklyn only adds to his value, considering they rank 29th in both defensive efficiency and fantasy points allowed to opposing centers.
Cheap Center:
Tyson Chandler, PHX at MIN ($4,900): Chandler's volatility usually makes him off-limits in a normal slate, but his potential is something that can't be overlooked in a three-game slate like this. He's actually been playing better recently, as he has at least 27 fantasy points in three-straight games. He should get the minutes to produce here too, as the Suns need him to defend Karl-Anthony Towns. That fact just adds to Chandler's intrigue, as Towns sometimes struggles on the defensive end..
