This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Sunday's four-game NBA slate begins at 1 p.m. EST. Read on to see which players to target and which to avoid in this modest slate.
GUARD
Shane Larkin, BOS vs. ORL ($10): While Marcus Smart started the last game with Kyrie Irving (shoulder) sidelined, Larkin (18.1 fantasy points) ended up outperforming both Smart (16.5) and Terry Rozier (9.2) in Boston's point guard rotation. If Irving sits again, Larkin deserves a long look at the minimum price against a Magic team that surrenders the sixth-most fantasy points to point guards. Even if Irving returns, the heavily favored Celtics could easily run out to a big lead and end up giving Larkin close to the 23 minutes he received Thursday, anyway.
Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. NY ($20): Clarkson's minutes have climbed in each of the last three games, as coach Luke Walton has given the combo guard more opportunities with Lonzo Ball (knee) sidelined. Safe to say, Clarkson's minutes are unlikely to start dropping anytime soon, as he responded to a 34-minute workload by posting a season-high 47.9 fantasy points Friday. Look for him to muster another strong effort at home against a Knicks team that's allowed 108.1 points per game on the road en route to a 6-16 record away from Madison Square Garden.
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Guard to Avoid:
Elfrid Payton, ORL at BOS ($27): Payton's been incredibly inconsistent lately, topping 40.0 fantasy points twice in his last five games while failing to reach 16.5 in any of the other three. A Celtics defense that's allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to point guards (33.0) is much more likely to hold Payton near his low floor than allow him to approach his high ceiling.
FORWARD
Tim Hardaway Jr., NY at LAL ($27): The Lakers allow the third-most fantasy points to shooting guards and 11th-most to small forwards, so Hardaway should find success regardless of which wing he plays. New York's best outside scorer is still a bit underpriced because of his recent leg injury, but there's little doubt he's back to full health after averaging 34.4 fantasy points in 29 minutes per game over the last three. If Hardaway ramps back up to his season average of 33 minutes in this favorable matchup, the sky's the limit for his production.
Khem Birch, ORL at BOS ($11): Birch has made the most of a modest increase in playing time, averaging 24.7 fantasy points in 18 minutes in his last two appearances. The 25-year-old big man has likely earned a consistent backup role with his recent play, and it shouldn't be long until Birch's price shoots up as well, so grab him for just $1 above the minimum while you still can.
Forward to Avoid:
Thaddeus Young, IND at SA ($20): Young's outclassed by fellow Pacers power forward Domantas Sabonis ($23), who is much more consistent on the glass. San Antonio allows the second-fewest fantasy points to power forwards (34.2), further decreasing Young's value.
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CENTER
Andre Drummond, DET vs. BKN ($46): The expensive stars are best used in favorable matchups that inflate their high ceilings, and that's exactly the situation Drummond finds himself in. Brooklyn's been awful against centers, allowing the most fantasy points per game (44.1) and RPG (14.6) while surrendering the second-most PPG (19.6). While he costs a bit more than any player in this slate, Drummond is the heavy favorite to come out on top in fantasy scoring.
Pau Gasol, SA vs. IND ($19): Indiana's the lone team allowing more PPG to centers than the Nets (20.1), and it isn't far behind in terms of rebounds (13.3) and fantasy points (43.8) allowed, both third most in the league. Gasol has played extended minutes lately for the injury-riddled Spurs, topping 28 minutes four times in his last seven appearances while capitalizing on that playing time with at least 31.3 fantasy points in each of those four games. Given this combination of matchup and role, Gasol should have no trouble blowing away expectations for a $19 player.
Center to Avoid:
Al Horford, BOS vs. ORL ($27): Horford's been solid lately, but he hasn't flashed much upside with fewer than 38.0 fantasy points in each of his last 12 appearances. With three of the league's four worst defenses against centers (Nets, Pacers and Spurs) in action, it doesn't make much sense to plug in Horford against a middling Magic unit.
