This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Sunday slates tend to have games spread throughout the day, and that's the case again here. We have nine in total, with six making up the night slate beginning at 7:00 pm ET. Many of the road teams are expected to be favorites, leading to some fascinating spreads. With that in mind, let's get into it!
Guards
Trae Young, ATL vs. CLE ($39)
It's bizarre to see Trae below $40. He was closer to $50 for most of last season and it appears he's recaptured that form recently. After another gem on Saturday, Young has produced at least 49 Yahoo points in three straight with a 45-point average. What we really like about him here is this matchup with Cleveland ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency and on a steady decline since the opening month. That was on full display when Trae posted 52.4 fantasy points against them three weeks ago despite shooting 9-of-27 from the field.
Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. POR ($16)
Rubio was in this section yesterday and provided us with another fantastic performance. It simply doesn't make any sense why he's still only $16, so we're going to keep using him until he gets north of $20. We say that because he's managed at least 21 Yahoo points in 13 of his last 15 games while averaging 27 fantasy points. The best part of this might be the opponent with Portland surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing PGs.
Guard to Avoid
Jaylen Brown, BOS at HOU ($32)
This is an extremely risky fade, but it's clear Brown is due for some regression. Two things really scare us with Brown and this roster's health is the main reason. JB was an All-Star with Kemba Waker, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart all in and out of the lineup, but he has to do more with less now that all three are back. We can see that by his recent form having scored 36 or fewer fantasy points in each of his last five appearances. That's pretty much the minimum you need at this salary and there's potential for a blowout. Houston enters in the midst of a 15-game losing streak and it's possible Brown doesn't even step on the court in the fourth quarter if this game goes as anticipated.
Forwards
Jimmy Butler, MIA at ORL ($46)
There's not enough talk about Jimmy Buckets right now because he's been one of the NBA's best players over the last month. Since returning from injury on Jan. 30, Butler is averaging 22.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 2.0 steals. That has led to a 38-point floor during those 18 outings for a ridiculous 51-point average. That makes him worth it - no matter the value - and Butler destroyed Orlando earlier this week. In fact, he provided 27 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists on the 11th and should continue to take on monster usage with Bam Adebayo out again.
Kevin Porter Jr, HOU vs. BOS ($20)
Porter was actually at the minimum on Friday and was in 85 percent of Yahoo lineups. While they did double his salary, we'd argue he deserved a 3x bump. In the two games since the break, KPJ has scored at least 42 Yahoo points in both en route to a 46-point average. It's clear Houston is in full rebuild mode and Porter will be a major part of that. He's shown this sort of ability at the G-League, and should provide fantasy gems at ease as long as he keeps getting 30-plus minutes and regular ball-handling duties. The blowout potential is not an issue with Porter because he'll play regardless of the score.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Love, CLE at ATL ($20)
Love used to be one of my favorite players in the NBA, but injuries have taken a major toll on him as a player and it's bitten him again this season. He actually came back Friday from a calf strain and provided 5.2 Yahoo points across 10 minutes of action. That means Cleveland will be carefully handling Love, and it would be hard to imagine him playing more than 15-20 minutes today. It's also concerning that Jarrett Allen is swallowing up all the rebounds because Love looked hesitant to go in the paint in his return.
Centers
Chris Boucher, TOR at CHI ($25)
Boucher has been all over the map this season, but one has to believe he will be a focal point of this offense with Toronto being severely shorthanded. They're currently without Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam, leaving Boucher to pick up plenty of opportunities. That has allowed him to score at least 27 Yahoo points in six straight while averaging 35 fantasy points. That's all you can ask for from a $25 player and one has to believe his floor will remain around 35 fantasy points with so many Raptors out of the lineup. Chicago is an excellent matchup ranking fifth in pace and 24th in total defense.
Steven Adams, NOP vs. LAC ($15)
Strangely, Adams is only $15 on Yahoo. While he hasn't been scoring much, he's providing value through rebounds alone. In fact, the Kiwi has posted at least 18 Yahoo points in nine of his last 11 games while averaging nearly 30 fantasy points in those nine fixtures. Anyone getting 2x value on this valuation is impossible to avoid on Yahoo and it makes it hard to understand why they've given him at this value. It's not like the Clippers are a terrible matchup for centers as they play a lot of small-ball with Serge Ibaka at the five.
Center to Avoid
Wendell Carter Jr, CHI vs. TOR ($20)
Carter was in the value section two weeks ago, but things are different now. Lauri Markkanen and Otto Porter have both returned since the break and it's limited WCJ's minutes. He's actually played 27 or fewer minutes in five-straight fixtures, averaging just 20 Yahoo points per game across 22 minutes a night during that span. That's a disastrous number from a $20 player, and it's clear Chicago wants to play more small-ball depending on the opponent. This happens to be one of the teams that likes this setup, so it seems unlikely Carter will play more than 25 minutes.
