This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
After back-to-back nights with robust slates, the NBA slows down to a four-game schedule Sunday evening. The biggest question for DFS purposes will be the status of Russell Westbrook, who reportedly has a chance to return from his knee injury. However, the superstar guard would undoubtedly be limited if he were to be able to play, keeping the value of other members of the Thunder's supporting cast high. Besides Westbrook, James Harden, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are among the elite taking the court, making value plays particularly important. Without further delay, let's examine some candidates that can save you some cash at each position:
POINT GUARD
De'Aaron Fox, SAC at OKC ($6,600): Fox looks markedly improved to kick off his second season if the first two games are any indication. The 2017 first-round pick has posted fantasy-point tallies of 42.3 and 31.4, respectively against the Jazz and Pelicans. Just as encouraging is the fact he's shot 50.0 percent from the field while putting up 14.0 shot attempts per contest. Sacramento has also played at the third-highest pace (110.9 possessions per game) over the first pair of games, upping Fox's opportunities for a handsome return. The matchup also lines up well, as the Thunder has surrendered the most FanDuel points per game to point guards (72.9) in the early going.
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. GS ($5,800): Speaking of fast pace, Murray will likely find himself in a track meet Sunday versus the Warriors, which have averaged 107.1 possessions per game thus far this season. Murray overcame a lackluster opener to post 43.1 fantasy points on the strength of a 26-point effort in his second game of the season versus the Suns on Saturday. The Warriors have allowed the ninth-most FanDuel points (55.9) per game to point guards over their first pair of contests as well, and Murray was solid against them last season while averaging 14.8 points, 3.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals across 28.8 minutes over four games.
SHOOTING GUARD
Buddy Hield, SAC at OKC ($6,500): Hield has started the first two games of the season and has taken advantage of the opportunity, posting 29.7 and 24.9 fantasy points versus the Jazz and Pelicans. The 2016 sixth overall pick has averaged a robust 14.5 shot attempts per contest during that span and has been red-hot, posting a 55.2 percent success rate from the field, including 50.0 percent from distance. The Thunder was notably tied with the Knicks last season for sixth-most made three-pointers per game (11.2), and they've yielded the fifth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards (56.0) to start the new season. Hield didn't exactly struggle versus OKC last season either, averaging 14.8 points on 51.2 percent shooting versus the Thunder over four games while also averaging a solid 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. ATL ($4,500): As expected, Clarkson has seen solid run off the bench over the Cavs' first two games, logging 23 minutes in each and scoring 15 and 19 actual points on his way to fantasy-point tallies of 18.6 and 28.3, respectively. Those are strong-to-excellent returns on his current price, and he could hardly ask for a better matchup Sunday. The Hawks are playing at the second-fastest pace through their first two games (113.7 possessions per contest) and 51.7 FanDuel points per game to the two-guard position. Atlanta also allowed the third-most made three-pointers (11.6) per game last season, and have allowed 12.5 per contest thus far this season. Considering the amount of extra opportunities he should see, Clarkson should find his way to more than enough minutes to pay off his very modest price.
SMALL FORWARD
Cedi Osman, CLE vs. ATL ($6,700): Osman has been a revelation through his first two games as the starting small forward and will be in even more position than Clarkson to take advantage of the Hawks' fast pace and defensive deficiencies. Osman has logged 33 and 35 minutes over his first pair of contests, posting 38 and 37.6 fantasy points in those games. The second-year wing has put up an average of 13.5 shot attempts per contest and has already generated a double-double. Osman has the ability to fill out the stat sheet and will be set up for success versus an Atlanta squad that will afford him plenty of extra possessions with which to rack up production.
Danilo Gallinari, LAC vs. HOU ($6,500): Gallinari already looks to be in midseason form, averaging 29.8 FanDuel points over his first two games and scoring 26 actual points in 26 minutes against the Thunder on Friday. The veteran sharpshooter has been unconscious from distance thus far, posting a 66.7 percent success rate. The Rockets have allowed an average of 38.0 FanDuel points to small forwards over their first pair of contests, and they're averaging the ninth-most possessions per contest (107.4). In a game that will be played at an accelerated rate and in which the Clippers will be forced to remain aggressive, Gallinari should have ample opportunity to offer another solid return.
POWER FORWARD
P.J. Tucker, HOU at LAC ($4,900): Tucker doesn't usually get it done in pretty fashion, but the veteran usually finds his way to a serviceable fantasy line. Given his starting power forward role and his two games with more than 20 fantasy points thus far to open the season, Tucker is in play again Sunday. He remains a consistent force on the boards and walks into an appealing matchup against the Clippers, which have allowed the third-most fantasy points (71.2) per game to power forwards over their first two games, including the third-most rebounds (26.0).
Marvin Bagley, SAC at OKC ($4,200): Bagley enjoyed a solid preseason overall, but he then only logged 12 minutes in the opener versus the Jazz. The second overall pick still produced with the modest allotment, posting six points and five rebounds. However, last Thursday's contest against the Pelicans represented much more of an opportunity, as Bagley parlayed 32 minutes into tallies of 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. That led to a haul of 44.1 FanDuel points, representing an outstanding return on his current price. The Thunder have allowed the fifth-most FanDuel points per game (69.1) to power forwards over their first pair of contests, including the second-most rebounds (28.0). Bagley should be primed for plenty of run similar to what he enjoyed in the second game, giving him an opportunity to prevail some winnable head-to-head battles versus Patrick Patterson and Jerami Grant.
CENTER
Clint Capela, HOU vs. LAC ($6,800): Capela fell victim to the malaise that engulfed the Rockets as a whole in their disastrous 131-112 season-opening loss to the Pelicans. However, he bounced back against the Lakers on Saturday night, providing a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double that netted 34.4 FanDuel points. That's more along the lines of the production expected from Capela, who parlayed another solid season last year into a big extension this summer. Capela got the best of new Clippers center Marcin Gortat in his one meeting with him last year when he was on the Wizards, going for 21 points, 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks over 26 minutes. He'll see the Polish Hammer again Sunday and should be in a position to win his fair share of battles, especially considering the Clippers are allowing the seventh-most FanDuel points per game to centers (42.1) in the early going.
