This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Half of the games in the NBA on Sunday have early start times, which leaves just four games to choose from for the main evening slate on Yahoo. Also note that the slate tips off at 6 p.m. EST. Let's dive into the matchups and highlight some players to target and avoid while creating your entry.
GUARDS
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. MIN ($45): The Wizards couldn't pull out a win on the road against the Celtics on Friday, but that didn't stop Beal from scoring 57.2 Yahoo points. The Wizards have very little depth in their backcourt, which has propelled Beal to log at least 39 minutes in each of their last six games. With his ability to score in bunches and provide contributions across the board, this is a prime spot for him to thrive against a Timberwolves team that has allowed an average of 118.5 points across their last 10 games.
Avery Bradley, MEM at OKC ($13): The trade from the Clippers to the Grizzlies has provided a huge boost for Bradley's fantasy value. He's starting and averaging 31 minutes a night, which has helped him score at least 24.7 Yahoo points in six of his last seven games. The Thunder play at the third-fastest pace (104.1 possessions per game) in the league, which should afford Bradley even more opportunities to be productive.
Guard to Avoid
Tyus Jones, MIN at WAS ($17): Jones has shown that he can thrive when given significant playing time. In two games that Jeff Teague missed last week, Jones scored 39.2 and 29.9 Yahoo points, respectively. However, with Teague back in the fold and Derrick Rose also healthy, Jones logged just 18 minutes and scored 10.1 Yahoo points against the Pacers on Thursday. His price increased as a result of his strong performances while Teague was out, so he's someone on whom to pass Sunday.
FORWARDS
Kevin Love, CLE vs. ORL ($31): Love is expected to return for this contest after sitting out for rest Saturday against the Pistons. He's been playing well with his minutes on the rise, averaging 23 points and 10.8 rebounds across his last four games. The Cavaliers have very little talent around him, so expect Love to get all of the shots that he can handle in his return to the floor.
Luke Kennard, DET vs. TOR ($11): Kennard hasn't been able to crack the starting five for the Pistons, but the trades of Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson have still left him with an expanded role. His excellent shooting from behind the arc has helped him score at least 31.8 Yahoo points in three of his last four games. Two of those contests came against the Pacers and Heat, who only allow 103.8 and 106.5 points per game, respectively. Even though the Raptors are also a strong defensive squad, Kennard provides plenty of upside at near the minimum price.
Forward to Avoid
Jabari Parker, WAS vs. MIN ($17): Parker has scored 20 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last four games, which has somehow resulted in his price tag increasing by a dollar. He only averaged 24 minutes a night during that four-game stretch and should continue to play limited minutes as the season comes to a close. Since he can't be had for much of a discount, he's an awfully risky option.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at WAS ($51): Towns is someone to build your lineup around Sunday. He's steamrolling the league right now, scoring at least 64.4 Yahoo points in each of his last three games. The Wizards are a terrible defensive team and have very little size up front, which will leave Towns to battle with Portis and Thomas Bryant. Towns is clearly the Timberwolves' offensive leader with his 27.8 percent usage rate, so don't hesitate to pay up for his services.
Joakim Noah, MEM at OKC ($18): Noah has excelled as the backup center for the Grizzlies, scoring at least 31.3 Yahoo points in five straight games. Even though he's not known for his offensive talent, he's been a reliable source of points and has recorded at least seven rebounds, three assists and one block in each of those five contests. His price has almost doubled during that stretch, but he's still cheap enough to consider if you don't want to pay up for Towns.
Center to Avoid
Bobby Portis, WAS vs. MIN ($20): Portis stormed out of the gate with at least 34.4 Yahoo points in each of his first three games with the Wizards. He's cooled off a bit since, scoring 25.7 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last five contests. Even though he's started the last three games, he logged 28 minutes or fewer in each contest. With Noah priced two dollars cheaper, this might not be the night to take a chance on Portis having one of his finer performances.
