The majority of the time the focus heading in to any DraftKings daily fantasy league matchup is on the value plays that are available since there is only so much cash to go around in order to fill out a lineup. However, all of the talk heading in to Sunday’s action is focused on the one game that could swing every single fantasy matchup of the day between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. It could make sense to invest a ton of money in that game’s two biggest stars as MVP candidates James Harden and Russell Westbrook go up against one another but that will mean finding value elsewhere. Here is a quick look at the best bets on the board for this Sunday’s DraftKings daily NBA fantasy leagues.
PG – Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) vs. Houston Rockets
For all of the talk Westbrook has had to hear about being Robin to Kevin Durant’s Batman, he has certainly seized the spotlight and made it his own with the reigning MVP out of the lineup. Westbrook leads the league with 10 triple-doubles and anybody that wonders what kind of performance he will bring to the table for this game can bank on his best with Harden in town. He’s pouring in 30.4 points per game, 10.5 assists, 8.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 threes since the All-Star break.
Westbrook had always had to prove his doubters wrong and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him register another dominant fantasy stat line against the Rockets on Sunday as the Thunder continue their push for a playoff spot.
SG – James Harden (Houston Rockets) @ Oklahoma City Thunder
While some will argue that it’s no longer about being the Thunder deciding to move him, the bottom line is that Harden has emerged as one of the league’s most dominant players. It will always linger with him that Oklahoma City opted to stick with Westbrook and Kevin Durant rather than have him in the mix.
Harden has put up MVP numbers all season and in two games against the Thunder, has averaged 25.0 points per game, 9.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 4.0 threes and 1.0 steals. He should be bound for another big performance back in Oklahoma City this weekend. There are certainly less expensive options on the board for the position but considering how this game could play out it makes sense to roll with Harden.
SF – Ricky Ledo (New York Knicks) vs. Philadelphia 76ers
With Cleananthony Early expected to be out on Sunday (he’s doubtful), that creates an opportunity for Ricky Ledo to step up again. And since we splurged on Westbrook and Harden, we need to save some money here.
But Ledo is a sneaky start as he’s coming off his career-best outing. He scored 21 points on Friday in Washington while collecting nine rebounds, three assists, a couple of threes and a steal. He’s hit double-figures in three of his last four games while averaging nearly two three-pointers in the process. He’ll get lots of playing time on Sunday and should contribute well.
PF – Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz) @ Sacramento Kings
After missing a couple of games, Favors returned to the Jazz starting lineup with a strong performance on Wednesday, registering 19 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. The matchup against DeMarcus Cousins the Kings should be a prime opportunity to add to his totals. He should be a reliable option at the power forward spot for Sunday’s daily fantasy leagues.
C – Enes Kanter (Oklahoma City Thunder) vs. Houston Rockets
Kanter has absolutely thrived since his arrival in Oklahoma City and he will have a chance to shine again in this showdown with the Rockets. Since coming over to Oklahoma City, Kanter is averaging 18.3 points per game, 11.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 steals.
Dwight Howard has struggled since his return from injury and while he will still provide a tougher matchup than some of the others on the board, the combination of Westbrook and Kanter could be absolutely lethal as the Thunder continue their push to the playoffs in this huge showdown against the Rockets.
