It’s Sunday, so it’s no surprise that the majority of the sporting attention will be paid to the football slate for Sunday – especially with the season coming down the home stretch. However, there are eight games on the NBA schedule and there is certainly some money to be made playing fantasy basketball. Here is some important advice to consider for Sunday’s NBA Daily Fantasy Leagues.
Weak Defense To Target: Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have lost seven of their last 10 games to fall to 13th in the Eastern Conference standings. While there have been plenty of reasons for their recent struggles, they can’t afford to keep allowing 106.1 points per game. Milwaukee has allowed an average of 121.5 points over its last two losses and is tied for 25th in the NBA in scoring defense this season. They have allowed at least 100 points in seven of their last eight games. Since they are struggling in that regard, you’ll want to fire up a number of the members of the Charlotte Hornets in this spot.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Brook Lopez
The Brooklyn Nets are one of only two Eastern Conference teams with a record that is worse than the Bucks but don’t blame Brook Lopez for that. Lopez has played well of late and could be worth targeting for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. Lopez has averaged 24.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 assist per game over the last week of action and even if you look at what he’s giving you on the season, his averages have been strong. He’s been providing a steady 20.3 points. 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. He is worth a play on Sunday as a player that is hot right now.
Injuries & Rest Create Opportunities For…. Jahlil Okafor, Lavoy Allen
Nerlens Noel was scratched from Friday’s game due to soreness in his right knee and while JaKarr Sampson has taken his spot in the lineup, it is Jahlil Okafor that will get the bigger opportunity to produce from a fantasy standpoint. Okafor had 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal in Friday’s game against the Houston Rockets but he was clearly a bit distracted in that game. He has been the subject of controversy off the court because of a recent report that he was involved in a street fight. TMZ filmed him knocking out a heckler in Boston and while he wasn’t suspended by the NBA for the incident, it clearly weighed on his mind. Noel could very well return on Sunday but even if he does, Okafor looks like a strong fantasy option. He’s averaged 18.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.3 assists and 2.5 free throws in the month of November.
Indiana Pacers’ center Jordan Hill could also miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers because of soreness in his lower back, which could open the door for Lavoy Allen to take on an even bigger role than he has already. Allen has steadily earned more playing time off the bench for the Pacers and he had 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in Friday’s win over the Chicago Bulls. He’s started three games this season and averaged 6.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.3 blocks and 0.3 steals per game but he only averaged 23.3 minutes in those starts. If he plays more than that – as he did on Friday – he should put up bigger numbers if Hill is out.
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Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: MIN @ LAC
The Houston Rockets and New York Knicks should put up some decent numbers in a separate high-scoring affair but the game with the biggest total for Sunday will likely be the matinee clash between the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Both teams can put up some bigger numbers offensively and both teams rank in the bottom half of the league in points allowed per game this season so expect big fantasy numbers from Blake Griffin, Andrew Wiggins and company with plenty of strong fantasy options on both teams.
