This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are seven games in the NBA on Sunday, but only four of them make up the main evening slate on Yahoo. Even though there are fewer options to choose from than normal for your entry, that doesn't mean you can't create a winner. Here are some players to target and avoid based on their matchups.
GUARDS
Kyle Lowry, TOR at LAL ($37): Lowry has a 20.4 percent usage rate this year, which would be his lowest since the 2012-13 season. He's still managed to average 17.7 points per game, but a lot of that is due to his abnormally high 50.9 percent shooting from the field. On a positive note, his 11.2 assists per game are far and away the best mark of his career. The Lakers play at the third-fastest pace (106.7 possessions per game) in the league, which should leave Lowry with plenty of opportunities to stuff the stat sheet.
Tyus Jones, MIN at POR ($12): Jones exploded for 33.5 Yahoo points Friday against the Warriors. With Jeff Teague (knee) out and Derrick Rose (ankle) getting injured early in that game, Jones logged 40 minutes. Teague has already been ruled out for Sunday and Rose is listed as questionable. If Rose sits, Jones is almost a must start at this price. Even if Rose does play, Jones can still provide value.
Guard to Avoid
Josh Jackson, PHO vs. MEM ($17): Jackson has had a disappointing start to the season. Even when Devin Booker was battling an injury, Jackson wasn't able to make his mark and has now scored 18.1 Yahoo points or fewer in seven straight games. The Grizzlies are allowing the second-fewest points per game (100), which doesn't leave this as a favorable spot for Jackson to have a breakout performance.
FORWARDS
LeBron James, LAL vs. TOR ($58): After losing their first three games, the Lakers have rebounded to win four of their last six. With so many new players on the team, it's certainly reasonable to think they'll go through some growing pains early on. Even with their inconsistencies, James has still scored at least 45.5 Yahoo points in every game and at least 50 Yahoo points in six of the last seven. The Lakers are playing the second game of a back-to-back set, but James was at least only required to play 31 minutes Saturday.
Pascal Siakam, TOR at LAL ($18): Siakam shined whine OG Anunoby missed three games recently, scoring at least 42 Yahoo points twice. Even when Anunoby returned Friday against the Suns, Siakam scored 20.5 Yahoo points across 27 minutes. Kawhi Leonard (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday, but with the Raptors set to play again Monday, it would seem to make sense to sit him Sunday since he won't play in both games, anyways. If Leonard is out, Siakam could see an increase in playing time, making him an option to consider for this small slate.
Forward to Avoid
Brandon Ingram, LAL vs. TOR ($25): Ingram is certainly getting plenty of playing time, logging at least 31 minutes in both of his last two games. However, he scored 22.1 Yahoo points or fewer in both contests. His 25 percent usage rate is certainly encouraging, but his assists have plummeted with James, Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball the primary ball handlers for the Lakers. With Ingram not coming at much of a discount, it might be best to keep him out of our entry.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at SA ($34): Someone forgot to mention to the Magic that this is the season for offensive explosions across the league. At just 99.9 points per game, the Magic have been the lowest scoring team in the league. One player they have been able to lean on to get a bucket is Vucevic, who leads the team in scoring (19 points per game) and is second in usage rate (25.7 percent). Add in his 10.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest and Vucevic has plenty of upside.
Serge Ibaka, TOR at LAL ($21): Ibaka has been in and out of the Raptors starting five this year, but he's largely been productive with at least 30.8 Yahoo points in six of his nine games. He could be off to an even better start if he wasn't shooting 17.4 percent from behind the arc, which is well below his career mark of 36.3 percent. If you don't want to pay up for Vucevic, Ibaka could provide value at this price in what should be an up-tempo game.
Center to Avoid
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at LAL ($20): Valanciunas has been a starter throughout his career, but the Raptors have been playing matchups with him and Ibaka at center, forcing Valanciunas to come off of the bench in five of nine games. His overall scoring has still been strong, but he's only averaging 5.8 rebounds across five games in which he has played fewer than 20 minutes. The Lakers like to play small and at a fast pace, which doesn't exactly fit Valanciunas' style of play. Ibaka might be a better fit for this matchup.
