While the majority of the focus heading in to Sunday will be on the final two NFL Wild Card games the fact that the NBA slate is absolutely loaded means there will be plenty of NBA Daily Fantasy League competitions and a chance for basketball fans to make some serious cash. Here is some advice to consider for Sunday’s NBA action.
Weak Defense To Target: Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have recovered from their terrible slump to post a .500 record over their last 10 games but they have struggled defensively overall and on the road in particularly where they have posted a 5-16 record this season. When you take a look at the numbers, they’re giving up 103.7 points per game on the road, which is good for 23rd in the NBA.
The Bucks are set to visit a New York Knicks side that has been inconsistent at best of late but has played its best basketball at home this season. Carmelo Anthony is the obvious option when it comes to targeting the Milwaukee defense but many of the Knicks are worth an upgrade in this particular situation. Take a look at guys like Arron Afflalo and even Robin Lopez as they warrant consideration as strong value plays for Sunday.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Lou Williams, Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have no problem tanking this season but with Kobe Bryant and D’Angelo Russell taking turns getting injured, it has opened the door for Williams to thrive as one of the hottest players in the NBA right now and an outstanding value play for Sunday’s matchup with the Utah Jazz. He’s coming off a game where he had one of the most explosive outings of any player in the NBA this season when he dropped 44 on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. Williams has averaged 26.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 3.5 three-point shots per game over the past seven days and he should once again outplay his price tag as an excellent bargain option. The key for him has been minutes as he’s been seeing a lot more of them recently. After averaging just 24.5 per game in November and 30.8 in December, he’s playing 32.2 minutes in January. He’s actually played at least 32 minutes in six of his last seven games, so if he sees that type of burn, he’s going to be an underrated asset.
Injuries, Rest Create Opportunities For… J.R. Smith, Evan Turner
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James recently compliment J.R. Smith’s shooting ability from beyond the arc and there is likely a connection between the team’s need for more shooting from downtown and Smith’s increased usage numbers recently. Smith has averaged 19.8 points including 4.8 three-point shots per game as well as 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals and he should be a strong option for Sunday’s game against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have turned to Evan Turner with a team-high 36.8 minutes per game over the last week and he has delivered with 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game over that span. He’s playing 36.8 minutes per game in January compared to just 27.2 in December and 25.8 in November. The Celtics will visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday and Turner should register another quality stat line in that game as a strong value play thanks to the increased opportunity.
Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: IND @ HOU
The highest scoring game of the night should feature the Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets going back and forth in a shootout as both teams rank in the top-11 in NBA scoring this season and should thrive at the offensive end going up against one another. James Harden has been a dominant fantasy force for years but on the other side of the basketball Paul George might represent an even better superstar option with some absolutely dominant numbers of late. Meanwhile, Marcus Thornton and Trevor Ariza are strong value plays from Houston on Sunday while George Hill and CJ Miles are available at a reasonable price from Indiana.
