This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Not only does Sunday's main slate on Yahoo consist of only four games, but it starts early at 6pm EST. Injuries will once again have a significant impact, so viable value plays won't be all that hard to come by despite so few games. Here are some of the best options to consider, as well as a few to avoid, while creating your entry.
GUARDS
Alec Burks, GS at NO ($13): The Warriors just can't catch a break. No one is feeling sorry for them considering their level of success in recent seasons, but they are struggling to find healthy bodies right now. The most recent significant injury was suffered by D'Angelo Russell (thumb) who will be out for at least the next two weeks. Burks has averaged 18 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists across their last six games and should be one of the focal points of their offense moving forward.
Ky Bowman, GS at NO ($10): Burks isn't the only cost-effective guard on the Warriors to consider. Bowman will likely see a significant increase in playing time with Russell out, possibly even moving back into the starting five. During a three-game stretch that Russell missed earlier this season, Bowman averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 37 minutes a night. With the Pelicans playing at the third-fastest pace in the league, Bowman could be a steal at the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Rajon Rondo, LAL vs. ATL ($22): Rondo has only played in two games this season due to a calf injury and didn't log more than 18 minutes in either contest. There's no point in rushing him back with LeBron James running the offense, so expect Rondo to be limited once again here. Since he doesn't come at much of a discount, this is an easy pass.
FORWARDS
LeBron James, LAL vs. ATL ($51): With all the money we can save at guard, this could be a great night to pay up for James. The added time off in the summer seems to have rejuvenated him and he's shined as the Lakers' starting point guard. He's scored at least 40 Yahoo points in all but two games this season and has topped at least 50 Yahoo points seven times. Need I say more?
Kenrich Williams, NO vs. GS ($16): The Warriors aren't the only team in this game that will likely be shorthanded. Lonzo Ball (hip), Brandon Ingram (knee), Josh Hart (knee), J.J. Redick (toe) and Derrick Favors (back) are dealing with injuries, so Williams could be busy if some or all of them can't play. He's scored at least 34.5 Yahoo points in two of his last four games and could benefit greatly not only from added playing time, but from the likely uptempo pace of this game.
Forward to Avoid
Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM vs. DEN ($23): You never know what you are going to get from Jackson on a nightly basis. He's loaded with talent, but that hasn't always translated to excellent fantasy production. On top of that, he often finds himself in foul trouble. Add in the Nuggets playing at the slowest pace in the league and this might not be the night to take a chance on adding him to your lineup.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. WAS ($35): After Vucevic averaged a career-high 20.8 points per game last season, he's only averaged 17.2 points a night through 12 games this season. His usage rate has decreased by more than three percentage points to 24.9 percent and he's only shooting 43.7 percent from the field, which is dramatically below his career mark of 50 percent. This represents a prime opportunity for him to get back on track against a Wizards' team playing at the sixth-fastest pace and allowing the third-most points per game.
Willie Cauley-Stein, GS at NO ($14): With Kevon Looney (hamstring) out, Cauley-Stein is locked into the starting center job for the Warriors. He's not playing a ton of minutes despite holding down that role, but he's still scored at least 23.2 Yahoo points in five straight games. If you want to fade Vucevic in tournament play and save some money at center, Cauley-Stein is at least worth considering.
Center to Avoid
Thomas Bryant, WAS at ORL ($25): Bryant is actually the third-most expensive center on the slate, which is something you don't see every day. He's listed as questionable for this contest with a hip injury, so there's a chance that he doesn't even play. However, if he does take the floor, adding him to your entry might not be a wise choice considering the Magic have played at the second-slowest pace and have allowed the fewest points per game.
