After a busy Friday and Saturday around the association, the NBA schedule slows down dramatically for Super Bowl Sunday with just eight teams in action. There is no doubt that the most wagered event on the sports calendar will receive the majority of the attention from sports fans. However, those looking to make a little money before the big game can turn to basketball Daily Fantasy Leagues before kickoff with all four NBA games set to begin at or before 2:00 p.m. eastern time. Here is some important NBA fantasy advice to consider for Sunday’s action.
Weak Defense To Target: Denver Nuggets
The New York Knicks have dropped four straight and eight of their last 10 overall, but they are back home on Sunday to face a Denver side that has struggled defensively and overall on the road this season. The Nuggets are just 9-16 as the visiting team this season and they rank 24th in the NBA with an average of 103.8 points allowed per game. They’ve been even worse of late, giving up 107.2 points per game allowed over their last 11.
That should mean a productive day for the Knicks as they look to break out of their funk, so it makes sense to target the Denver defense. Carmelo Anthony is the obvious star option from New York as he faces his former team once again. Meanwhile, those looking for a reasonable value play might want to consider Robin Lopez, who has averaged 14.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game over the last seven days of action.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Dwyane Wade has been on fire for the Heat over the past month of action and that should continue with the Los Angeles Clippers in town on Sunday. Wade has averaged 18.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game over the last week of action and he will need another strong performance in order for Miami to keep up with the high-scoring Clippers at home. The Heat enter this game on a hot streak as they have won six of their last seven games.
Injuries, Rest Create Opportunities For… Kent Bazemore, Jamal Crawford
The Atlanta Hawks continue to give Kent Bazemore close to 30 minutes per game and he has rewarded them with some excellent numbers in return. Bazemore has averaged 9.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 three-point shot per game over the last week of action. He has scored in double figures in seven of his last 10 games and is primed for another big performance against the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The Magic are an unmitigated disaster right now as they have dropped 15 of their last 17 games.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have thrived without the injured Blake Griffin once again and that means there are more opportunities for the other players in the lineup. One of those guys is Jamal Crawford, who has been a reliable NBA fantasy piece of late. Crawford has averaged a team-high 22.3 points, 2.7 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 three-point shot per game over the last week of action. The Clippers have needed some backcourt support for J.J. Redick and Chris Paul, and Crawford has stepped up with a hot hand. Speaking of hand, it’ll help his cause that backup point guard Austin Rivers is out for four-to-six weeks with a broken hand. Crawford will get those minutes. He will be a strong value option on Sunday when the Clippers visit Miami.
Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: SAC @ BOS
Sacramento and Boston both rank in the top-six in the NBA in scoring this season and there is a good chance they will produce the highest scoring game for Sunday. DeMarcus Cousins has been an absolute NBA fantasy stud for the Kings while Isaiah Thomas has led the way for the Celtics, and it’s worth considering building your lineup for Sunday around those two stars. Meanwhile, Marco Belinelli has been very productive for Sacramento of late averaging 16.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.7 three-point shots per game and he is a strong value option. Evan Turner has averaged 13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 block per game over the last week of action and is another solid value option for Boston.
