This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We've got a modest five-game slate on tap Sunday evening, but there's still plenty to pay up for in the form of LeBron James, James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo, among others. As such, let's delve into some of the viable lower-cost plays at each position that can offer you the flexibility to fit in one or two of the studs into your lineups:
POINT GUARD
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. ATL ($5,600): Ball remains a bit too inconsistent for optimal cash-game consideration, but there's no denying his upside when he's hitting on all cylinders. He could well have a chance to do just that Sunday in what should be a very fast-paced contest, considering the Hawks check in allowing the most fantasy points per game to point guards (48.9), along with league-worst or bottom-10 figures in points (23.9), rebounds (9.6), assists (5.3), made threes (2.7), steals (1.9) and shooting percentage (47.2) per contest to the position. Ball has scored 24 to 32.8 fantasy points in three of his last five, providing a glimpse at his upside at a very reasonable price.
Jeremy Lin, ATL at LAL ($4,300): Lin has quietly been carving out a larger role in the backcourt rotation in Atlanta and has scored 26.2 to 37.6 fantasy points in four of his last six games. He's seen minutes in the low 20s in all of those contests, and in a game Sunday that should feature plenty of extra possessions, he could well be in for a similar workload. The Lakers have been generous to the point guard position as well, allowing 46.2 fantasy points per game to ones, along with bottom-10 figures in points (23.1) and rebounds (9.5) per contest.
SHOOTING GUARD
Gary Harris, DEN vs. MIL ($6,700): Harris had a clunker Friday versus the Nets (14.4 fantasy points), but he'd posted 22.4 to 48.2 in his 11 games prior. He's a threat to score from anywhere on the court and will draw a favorable matchup against a Bucks squad that's allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (43.8) to shooting guards, as well as bottom-10 figures in rebounds (6.9) and made threes (3.6) per game. Harris sports a solid 22.0 percent usage rate and should be heavily involved in a game that projects to be tightly contested for all four quarters.
Kent Bazemore, ATL at LAL ($6,600): Bazemore will be in position to capitalize on a Lakers defense allowing the most fantasy points (47.4) and assists (5.9) per game to shooting guards, along with bottom-five figures in points (28.1), made threes (3.3) and shooting percentage (46.6). Bazemore is capable of filling out the stat sheet in all of those categories, and he'll come into Sunday's game having scored 22.4 to 34.9 fantasy points in five of his last seven games. While his scoring totals occasionally take a dip, the fast-paced nature of Sunday's contest and the Lakers' aforementioned weaknesses should afford him plenty of opportunities for a solid return.
SMALL FORWARD
Gordon Hayward, BOS at POR ($5,300): Hayward is clearly still finding his footing again after missing all of last season, but he's started to show some glimpses of returning to his typically stellar form. The veteran wing has scored 20.9 to 32.3 fantasy points in four of the last five, and he's bumped his production in both rebounds and assists during those contests as well. The Blazers come in allowing the sixth-most fantasy points (42.1) per game to small forwards, and Hayward is priced such that he can conceivably continue generating the 4x-5x return he's provided lately with his typical minutes allotment of minutes in the mid-20s.
Evan Turner, POR vs. BOS ($4,800): On the other side of the Celtics-Blazers matchup, Turner is priced right for a battle against one of his former squads. The veteran's numbers are up across the stat sheet compared to his last two seasons, and he's currently shooting a career-best 51.0 percent. The Celtics have had some trouble against small forwards as well, allowing 41.7 fantasy points per contest to the position, numbers partly stemming from Boston surrendering the sixth-most points (22.0) and fifth-most made threes (3.0) per game to the position. Meanwhile, Turner has eclipsed 20 fantasy points in seven of his last 12 games, and he's vaulted over the 30-mark on two occasions during that stretch as well.
POWER FORWARD
Noah Vonleh, NYK vs. ORL ($5,900): Vonleh has been one of the pleasant surprises for the Knicks in the early going, as he's been consistent on both the scoreboard and the boards as a fill-in for Kristaps Porzingis (knee). Vonleh has five double-digit rebound games in his last 13, and he's scored over 20 fantasy points in eight of those contests. While Orlando is about middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed per game to power forwards (42.6), they've given up the sixth-most rebounds (12.6) and seventh-most assists (4.1) per game to the position. Meanwhile, Vonleh is averaging career highs in both categories (8.2 and 1.7, respectively).
Marcus Morris, BOS at POR ($5,200): Morris continues to be underpriced for a player with his upside, as he's scored 27.8 to 35.7 fantasy points in seven of his last eight. The versatile veteran is second only to Kyrie Irving in usage rate (22.6 percent) among Boston regulars, and the Trail Blazers come in yielding the seventh-most fantasy points (50.0) per game to fours. Those numbers partly stem from Portland allowing the third-most points (24.7) and fourth-most made threes (2.3) to the position, two areas in which Morris typically thrives – he's averaging a career-high 15.0 points, made threes (2.3), shooting percentage (50.8) and three-point percentage (48.3).
CENTER
Mitchell Robinson, NYK vs. ORL ($4,500): Robinson has been making a name for himself despite the presence of Enes Kanter, as he's scored 20.2 to 41.5 fantasy points in four of his last five. The second-round pick is averaging 18.2 minutes on the season, and he's played between 26 and 34 in three of his last five contests. The Magic come in allowing 54.2 fantasy points per game to centers, including a robust 16.7 rebounds per contest. Still priced well below the level of some of his recent production, Robinson is a viable play if you're paying down at center, given the current consistency of his role.
