The push towards the playoffs – both regular and NBA fantasy – continues with an absolutely loaded schedule on Sunday as 22 teams will be in action playing 11 games beginning early in the afternoon on the east coast. With so many options to choose from it will be that much more difficult to determine which players are the best fit for your fantasy lineup in DraftKings Daily Fantasy Leagues. Here is some important advice to consider for Sunday’s NBA fantasy action.
Weak Defense To Target: Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have dropped five straight and rank 29th in the NBA with an average of 107.7 points allowed per game this season so they are definitely worth targeting when a Utah Jazz team that is fighting for a playoff spot pays a visit on Sunday. Rodney Hood and Gordon Hayward have played at a very high level of late for Utah but the best option in Daily Fantasy Leagues might very well be the sleeper play in Shelvin Mack. The veteran point guard has averaged 12.8 points, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 three-point shot per game over the last week of action and is definitely worth taking a chance on versus Phoenix on Sunday.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James has responded to the criticism he has heard from fans, experts and even his head coach with some incredible numbers of late and it will be hard to pass on him in Daily Fantasy Leagues. King James has averaged 26.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 three-point shot per game over the last seven days so ride the hot hand when the Cavaliers host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Injuries, Rest Create Opportunities For… J.J. Barea, Austin Rivers
The Dallas Mavericks have relied heavily on J.J. Barea over the last week and he has responded favorably again with some impressive numbers. Barea has averaged 21.8 points, 6.0 assist, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 three-point shots in 29.5 minutes per game over that span. His last two games have been especially strong as he’s played at least 30 minutes in each of those games while scoring at least 26 in both contests along with at least two threes each time. He’s played 30 minutes or more in three of his last five games. To put that in perspective, prior to that, he hadn’t hit the 30-minute mark in a game since February 3rd. As long he’s getting fed these type of minutes, he should be a strong value option when the Mavericks visit the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Meanwhile, Austin Rivers has really picked up his level of play for the Los Angeles Clippers of late, including a 32-point performance in place of the resting Chris Paul earlier this week. Paul is expected to play against the Washington Wizards on Sunday but Rivers should still see enough minutes to make him a reasonable fantasy option. Rivers has averaged 16.5 points, 3.0 three-point shots, 2.3 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game over the past seven days, so don’t be shy to put him in your lineup as a high upside player that allows you to spend more on star talent at other positions. Just don’t expect another 32-point outburst.
Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: OKC @ HOU
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston rank second and fourth respectively in points per game this season so it should be another high scoring affair when they meet on Sunday. The problem is that Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden are among the most expensive options on DraftKings and it’s hard to find many decent value options from either team. Michael Beasley is probably the best option for Daily Fantasy Leagues as he continued to put up decent numbers this past week at a very reasonable price. Beasley has averaged 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game over the last seven days so if you can’t have one of the big three then consider using him in your lineup in order to capitalize on the high scoring matchup.
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