After an absolutely loaded slate of NBA action on Saturday, the schedule dwindles down dramatically for Sunday with only eight teams in action. That means there is even less room for error when it comes to putting together a winning roster in Daily Fantasy Leagues, so here is some important advice to consider for Sunday’s NBA action.
Weak Defense to Target: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are one of a couple of teams that isn’t even hiding the fact that they would rather tank and finish near the bottom of the NBA standings than win games this season. The fact that they have won only five of 30 games this year is testament to that approach. Los Angeles has also slid to the bottom of the association in scoring defense as they have allowed an average of 107.2 points per game against this season. The Memphis Grizzlies have struggled with consistency all season, but a home date against the Lakers should help them find their way back in to the win column. Mike Conley has played some good basketball of late and is worth plugging in at the point guard position, while Jeff Green and Matt Barnes are two potential sleeper options worth taking a chance on in this game.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
New York is a sub-.500 team, but it isn’t for a lack of offense. Anthony has been heating up of late with some strong averages over the past week of action. Anthony has averaged 25.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 three-point shots per game over the last seven days and he should be in for another strong fantasy performance when the Knicks visit the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Boston has been a relatively reliable defensive team this season, allowing just 99.1 points per game in December, but Anthony has been playing so well that you can expect a strong effort from him.
Injuries, Rest Create Opportunities For… D’Angelo Russell, C.J. McCollum
The Lakers remain committed to giving Jordan Clarkson the bulk of the minutes at the point guard position, but the rookie first-round pick D’Angelo Russell has been that much more aggressive at the offensive end of the floor of late. There is every reason to think that will continue on Sunday against Memphis. Russell has averaged 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.3 three-point shots and 1.0 steal per game over the last week and that makes him an outstanding value play in Daily Fantasy Leagues. Memphis is just 13th in the NBA this month in points allowed at 99.8.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard continues to deal with plantar fasciitis and while he is expected to play in Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, that doesn’t mean he will be at full strength. C.J. McCollum has been excellent for the Trail Blazers this season and as long as they continue to give him more opportunities, he will remain a solid value option in Daily Fantasy Leagues. He has managed 20.3 points, 4.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 threes and 1.7 steals per game this month. Those are fantastic averages across the board and he’s worth riding in fantasy lineups as long as he’s playing like this.
Highest Scoring Game of the Night: DEN @ OKC
The Denver Nuggets currently rank in the bottom third of the NBA in points per game, but they are going to have to score some baskets in order to even keep this game close. The Thunder currently rank second in the NBA in scoring with an average of 107.4 points per game. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are playing at an elite level right now and either one would be a good pick as a superstar to build your roster around on Sunday, but it is also worth considering taking a chance on Enes Kanter for the Thunder as well as either Will Barton or Randy Foye for the Nuggets.
