This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The final day of the calendar year brings us a solid eight-game NBA slate that features several elite-level options. Neither Russell Westbrook ($58) nor James Harden ($57) are discussed below, but they are both naturally excellent options, especially in highly favorable matchups against the Mavericks and Lakers, respectively. There's also plenty of value to be had at the mid-tier and value levels, allowing you to fit in at least one of the three players priced near $60 while still sporting a respectable roster overall.
Without further ado, let's take a look at two options at each position in considerably different slots on the price scale (as well as other options to consider), along with one player to avoid.
GUARD
John Wall, WAS vs. CHI ($38): Wall's production has been a bit uneven as of late, but he's still scored between 25.7 and 50.0 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games. That span includes four double-doubles, and he'll be in a favorable position Sunday to generate production of that caliber. The Bulls come in allowing a robust 44.6 fantasy points to point guards over the last five games, nearly five fantasy points over their 39.9 season figure. They're also allowing the third-most made three-pointers (2.3) and fourth-highest shooting percentage (43.0) to the position, while Wall is sporting a 26.6 percent usage rate in the nine games since returning from a knee injury.
Tyus Jones, MIN at IND ($12): Jones' price is nowhere near reflective of his current starting role, making him one of the slate's best value options. He compiled 32.3 fantasy points over 35 minutes in his initial run with the first unit on Thursday, and he should be in for another sizable allotment of playing time Sunday in what should be a back-and-forth affair. The Pacers set up as inviting targets as well, considering they just surrendered a near triple-double to the Bulls' Jerian Grant and are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points (41.5) to point guards on the season, including 46.3 over the last five. They're also surrendering the third-most assists (8.7) and third-highest shooting percentage (44.0) to ones on the campaign, while Jones averaged a solid 6.5 assists and shot 53.3 percent in his four-game stint as a starter in late November.
Other guards to consider: Chris Paul, HOU vs. LAL ($43); Jimmy Butler, MIN at IND ($43); Kyrie Irving, BKN at BOS ($39); Kemba Walker, CHA at LAC ($30); Jordan Clarkson, LAL at HOU ($22); Darren Collison, IND vs. MIN ($20); Jerian Grant (if Kris Dunn sits), CHI at WAS ($11)
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Guard to Avoid:
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN at BOS ($25): Dinwiddie has seen somewhat of a downturn as of late, scoring between 18.6 and 29.4 fantasy points in his last three games, and he's shot just 33.0 percent from the field over his last two. A matchup against a stingy Celtics defense isn't exactly a recipe for fantasy success on most nights, especially considering they're allowing a stingy 31.9 fantasy points per contest to point guards in the last five, eighth-fewest over that span and well under their season average of 39.4.
FORWARD
Dario Saric, PHI at PHO ($26): Saric exploded for 44.8 fantasy points Thursday on the strength of a 25-point performance versus the Blazers, and he'll draw a favorable matchup Sunday against a Suns team that's allowed the second-highest shooting percentage (49.0) to power forwards on the campaign, along with 39.7 fantasy points, 20.9 points and 10.3 rebounds. Even with Joel Embiid back in the lineup Sunday, Saric remains a viable candidate at his modest price, considering he's consistently flashed upside north of 30 fantasy points even when sharing the floor with the latter.
Lance Stephenson, IND vs. MIN ($16): Stephenson is likely to draw a third straight start Sunday with Victor Oladipo doubtful due to his knee issues, which would once again leave him mispriced relative to playing time. Stephenson has turned in 42.5 and 31.3 fantasy points, respectively, in the last two games with the first unit, while the T-Wolves check in allowing the third-highest shooting percentage (44.0) to two-guards, along with 3.5 made three-pointers per contest. Meanwhile, Stephenson is shooting 48.4 percent, including 40.0 percent from three-point range, over the last pair of contests as a starter.
Other forwards to consider: Blake Griffin, LAC vs. CHA ($45); Otto Porter, Jr., WAS vs. CHI ($29); Brandon Ingram, LAL at HOU ($29); Lauri Markkanen, CHI at WAS ($20)
Forward to Avoid
DeMarre Carroll, BKN at BOS ($16): I would tread carefully with Kyle Kuzma ($31) at his price as well, considering he's scored a modest 25.1 and 21.0 fantasy points in his last two contests and faces a Rockets squad that's been among the best defending power forwards. However, Carroll is also a stay-away candidate, considering the Celtics have allowed the least fantasy points (30.2) to small forwards on the season. Carroll also comes in struggling, having scored between 8.0 and 16.3 fantasy points in his last three games, and shooting just 34.6 percent – including 26.9 percent from long distance – over the last five contests.
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CENTER
Dwight Howard, CHA at LAC ($33): Howard already generated 42.7 fantasy points against the Clippers on the strength of a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double back on Nov. 18, and he's coming off a season-high 29 points against the Warriors in a win on Friday, a haul that helped lead to 57.1 fantasy points. He eclipsed the 40-mark in the two prior contests as well, and he'll be poised to continue his torrid stretch against Los Angeles. The Clippers remain vulnerable to fives, allowing 41.7 fantasy points to centers over the last 10, along with 17.2 points, 12.4 rebounds 2.6 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals on the campaign.
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL at OKC ($13): Nowitzki comes in at a bargain price for a player who's scored between 33.2 and 37.9 fantasy points in his last four games, and who's tallied at least 21.3 in eight of his last nine contests overall. The ageless veteran also compiled 35.0 fantasy points against this same Thunder squad back on Nov. 25, while OKC comes in allowing the fifth-highest shooting percentage (53.0) to centers. Meanwhile, Nowitzki has shot a blistering 60.5 percent from the field – including 53.3 percent from behind the arc – over the last four contests.
Other centers to consider: Joel Embiid, PHI at PHO ($48); Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at IND ($46); Marc Gasol, MEM at SAC ($37); Clint Capela, HOU vs. LAL ($29); Steven Adams, OKC vs. DAL ($28); Al Horford, BOS vs. BKN ($27); Nikola Mirotic, CHI at WAS ($25); Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. CHI ($16)
Center to Avoid
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. CHA ($35): Howard has shored up the Hornets' frontcourt defense significantly, as Charlotte comes in allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points (36.8) to centers on the season. Jordan is still priced at a level that reflected his usage during Blake Griffin's extended absence, but with the latter back and apparently at full health, it renders Jordan a bit too expensive in a tough matchup.
