This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are a few games with early start times Sunday, leaving just three games to choose from for the main slate on Yahoo. However, there are still some great options on the board. Here are some players to target and avoid as you create what will hopefully be a winning entry.
GUARDS
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. SAC ($23): Ball has played well in two games since the Lakers lost both LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo (hand), scoring 55.8 and 33 Yahoo points, respectively. The better performance came against these same Kings in a one-point loss by the Lakers on Thursday. Ball is likely to get all the minutes that he can handle again Sunday, making him a great option considering both of these teams are in the top-three in the league in pace of play.
Josh Hart, LAL vs. SAC ($10): Hart is only averaging 26 minutes a game this season, but he has started and logged at least 33 minutes in both games since James and Rondo were sidelined. His offensive upside isn't that high, but he chipped in at least four rebounds and three steals in both of those contests. At the minimum price, he makes for a great option in tournament play based on his minute's floor.
Guard to Avoid
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. PHI ($25): McCollum is clearly one of the top offensive weapons for the Blazers with his 26.2 percent usage rate. He's on pace for his fourth straight season with
There are a few games with early start times Sunday, leaving just three games to choose from for the main slate on Yahoo. However, there are still some great options on the board. Here are some players to target and avoid as you create what will hopefully be a winning entry.
GUARDS
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. SAC ($23): Ball has played well in two games since the Lakers lost both LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo (hand), scoring 55.8 and 33 Yahoo points, respectively. The better performance came against these same Kings in a one-point loss by the Lakers on Thursday. Ball is likely to get all the minutes that he can handle again Sunday, making him a great option considering both of these teams are in the top-three in the league in pace of play.
Josh Hart, LAL vs. SAC ($10): Hart is only averaging 26 minutes a game this season, but he has started and logged at least 33 minutes in both games since James and Rondo were sidelined. His offensive upside isn't that high, but he chipped in at least four rebounds and three steals in both of those contests. At the minimum price, he makes for a great option in tournament play based on his minute's floor.
Guard to Avoid
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. PHI ($25): McCollum is clearly one of the top offensive weapons for the Blazers with his 26.2 percent usage rate. He's on pace for his fourth straight season with a usage rate of at least 26 percent. The problem is, he's only averaging 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Add in his minimal contributions on the defensive end, and McCollum has scored 26.8 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last six contests. Since he doesn't come at much of a discount, his upside might not justify his price tag.
FORWARDS
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. SAC ($31): With the Lakers needing other players to step up offensively, Kuzma has certainly answered the call. He's scored at least 24 points in back-to-back games, logging at least 40 minutes in both contests. However, he hasn't just been about filling up the scoring column, he's also recorded at least eight rebounds and four assists in both games. Considering the pace at which this game will likely be played, Kuzma makes for an excellent option to target.
Nemanja Bjelica, SAC at LAL ($17): The Kings remain shorthanded up front with Marvin Bagley (knee) on the sidelines. Bjelica has been one of the beneficiaries of his absence, although he has been an inconsistent fantasy option. He did score 31.7 Yahoo points when these teams met Thursday and has now scored at least 29.7 Yahoo points in three of his last four games. Since he won't destroy your budget, it might be worth taking a chance on him in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Harrison Barnes, DAL vs. OKC ($20): Barnes is having a strange season. He's continued to be one of the offensive leaders for the Mavericks with a 24 percent usage rate and 18.4 points per game. He's shooting a career-high 41.7 percent from behind the arc, but he's only shooting 42.4 percent from the field, overall, which would be his lowest mark since the 2013-14 season. His rebounding numbers are also down significantly at 4.2 boards per game, which makes him extremely offensive-dependent since he doesn't provide many assists, steals or blocks, either. Since the Thunder allow the sixth-fewest points per game (105.7) in the league, deploying Barnes in DFS is a risky proposition.
CENTERS
Steven Adams, OKC at DAL ($27): Adams has been a model of consistency, scoring at least 31 Yahoo points in 12 of his last 14 games. Despite playing alongside Russell Westbrook and Paul George, Adams actually has a career-high 18 percent usage rate this season. He could be primed to feast in the middle Sunday if DeAndre Jordan (knee) is unable to take the floor. However, even if Jordan does play, Adams has a high enough floor to warrant consideration.
Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. PHI ($23): The Blazers just played back-to-back games against the Warriors where Nurkic scored 43.4 and 44.5 Yahoo points, respectively. After those two stellar performances, Nurkic has now scored at least 36 Yahoo points in six of his last eight contests. With excellent all-around averages of 14.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, one steal and 1.3 blocks per game, Nurkic is once again a great option Sunday.
Center to Avoid
DeAndre Jordan, DAL vs. OKC ($28): Jordan is questionable for this game with a knee injury. Even if he does manage to take the floor, this is not a good matchup for him against the Thunder, who allow the seventh-fewest Yahoo points per game (42.8) to opposing centers. The last time these two teams met, Jordan scored just 20.3 Yahoo points.
