This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
It's another small slate on Sunday, as there are only three games on the docket. However, there's potential for plenty of fantasy production in each, and a number of high-priced superstars to choose from. Without further delay, let's see which options can help you net favorable returns for your bankroll as we kick off a new week of DFS action:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Victor Oladipo, IND at PHO ($17,000): Oladipo's production has fluctuated some in the last several games, but he's still flashing excellent tournament upside. The sharpshooter has scored over 40 fantasy points once and over 50 on two other occasions over the last six games, and he'll face off versus a Suns squad Sunday that's allowed 49.7 fantasy points to two-guards over the last five contests. Oladipo is shooting an impressive 51.5 percent on an average of 17.1 shot attempts over the last 10 contests, a stretch during which he's posted a 27.9 percent usage rate and averaged 1.23 fantasy points per minute.
Mid-Tier
Jrue Holiday, NO at NY ($12,300): Holiday exploded for 47.25 fantasy points against the Trail Blazers on Friday night, and he'd also scored 34.00 to 39.50 in three of the prior four games as well. The veteran has also shot a red-hot 51.4 percent from the field in the last 10 contests, and the 14.6 shot attempts he's averaging on the season is the second-highest figure of his career. Meanwhile, the Knicks have given up 45.3 fantasy points per game to two-guards on the season, along with the fifth-most rebounds (7.3) and seventh-most assists (5.3).
Affordable
Jarrett Jack, NY vs. NO ($9,000): Jack has been progressively boosting his usage the more comfortable he's gotten in the Knicks' system, as he's scored 26.00 to 48.00 fantasy points in five of the last seven contests, a sample that includes 33.00 fantasy points against this same New Orleans squad on Dec. 30. The veteran guard is sporting a solid 21.3 percent usage rate during that stretch while shooting 46.8 percent on 11.3 shot attempts. The latter figure represents a sizable bump from the 7.5 attempts he's averaged on the season, and the Pelicans could facilitate continued strong production Sunday. New Orleans has allowed the third-most fantasy points (49.2) to point guards on the season, along with the third-most points (23.9), fourth-most rebounds (6.9), sixth-most assists (8.7), fourth-most steals (2.1) and second-most made three-pointers (2.7).
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
DeMarcus Cousins, NO at NY ($19,300): Cousins trampled this same Knicks squad for 63.25 fantasy points over 40 minutes on the strength of a 29-point, 19-rebound double-double on Dec. 30, and he's scored no fewer than 40.75 in the subsequent five contests. New York has also been even more vulnerable than usual to fives since getting dominated by Cousins, as they've allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (44.9) to centers over the last five contests, along with the 10th-most rebounds (12.0) and third-highest shooting percentage (68.0).
Mid-Tier
Kristaps Porzingis, NY vs. NO ($15,400): Porzingis is now averaging 39.7 fantasy points per contest after having racked up 44.00 against the Timberwolves on Friday night. He'd also scored 32.75 to 43.00 fantasy points in the three previous contests, and 40.25 to 51.75 in five other games over the prior seven. The seven-footer could be poised for another prolific return against the Pelicans, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (46.7) to power forwards on the season, along with the fifth-most points (22.0), sixth-most rebounds (11.6), second-most assists (3.6), most steals (1.7), fourth-most three-pointers (1.8) and third-highest shooting percentage (49.0).
Affordable
Dragan Bender, PHO vs. IND ($9,200):Domantas Sabonis ($12,300) is also a viable play at this level if he's able to overcome his shoulder injury to suit up in this same contest. However, Bender is highly appealing in his own right at over $3K cheaper, as he should draw another start in place of Marquese Chriss (hip). The former fourth overall pick has been outstanding in the last two games, posting tallies of 43.50 and 32.50 fantasy points in those contests. He's shooting 57.1 percent – including a blistering 64.3 percent from three-point range – in that pair of outings, and he'll be in a favorable position Sunday versus a Pacers squad that's been increasingly vulnerable to power forwards recently. Indiana has allowed 48.0 fantasy points and the fifth-most points (26.1) to fours over the last 10 games, both notably higher numbers than the respective 40.6 and 20.9 figures they've allowed in those categories on the season.
UTILITY:
Damian Lillard, POR at MIN ($16,500): Lillard takes aim at a Timberwolves squad that's yielded 55.5 fantasy points to point guards over the last five contests, two of which have come with Jeff Teague back in the lineup. He also lit up Minnesota for 48.00 fantasy points on the strength of a 17-point, 13-assist double-double on Dec. 18, and he's scored 50.75 and 43.50 fantasy points, respectively, in his last two games. Lillard is shooting a solid 47.1 percent over his last four games overall, a figure that essentially mirrors the 47.0 percent the T-Wolves have allowed to ones over the aforementioned five-game span.
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. POR ($12,100): Wiggins has generally emerged from a prolonged slump he endured in the second half of December, a fact that his modest price doesn't quite yet reflect. The former first overall pick has scored 25.50 to 44.75 fantasy points in six of the first seven games of 2018, a span during which he's sporting a 24.6 percent usage rate that's second only to Jimmy Butler on the T-Wolves. Notably, that latter figure is partly comprised of a figure of 19.0 shot attempts per contest over the last four, an indication of how heavily involved he's been despite sharing the floor with a star-studded cast. He'll be in a good spot to continue churning out solid returns Sunday, as the Trail Blazers have allowed 40.6 fantasy points to small forwards over the last five games, along with the fifth-most rebounds (8.9) and fifth-most steals (1.8) to the position on the season.
