This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Sunday evening brings a compact five-game slate that once again sees Russell Westbrook trying to set yet another momentous record, as well as a couple potential shootouts. FantasyDraft's unique roster construction offers the flexibility to work in many appealing options. Let's dive in to how you might best allocate resources.
GUARD
Premium Option
Russell Westbrook, OKC at DEN ($24,900): As was the case in his last game Friday, Westbrook once again finds himself with Oscar Robertson's record for triple-doubles within his grasp and has an excellent matchup to boot. The Nuggets have given up the third-most fantasy points (56.3) to point guards this season and second most (61.8) over the last 10. Westbrook has averaged 34.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 14.0 assists and 2.0 steals in two games against Denver this season, and there's no reason Sunday should be different.
Mid-Tier
Ricky Rubio, MIN at LAL ($14,600): Devin Booker ($14,700) is also an excellent pivot at this tier just a $100 over Rubio, but the T-Wolves' point guard is an excellent spot against a Lakers defense that's tied with the Suns for most fantasy points (56.4) allowed to point guards this season, and that's given up 61.2 per game to the position over the last 10. As has been the case all season, they also yield the most assists (10.3) to ones, which dovetails perfectly with Rubio's style of play. Rubio has also averaged 20.7 points, 11.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals over three games against Los Angeles this season.
Affordable
Nicolas Brussino, DAL at PHO ($6,000): There's quite an array of low-cost or minimum-priced options at guard, but Brussino might be one of the more under-owned for tournaments. The 24-year-old has received plenty of run in three of the last four games and could even draw another start at shooting guard, with Seth Curry already ruled out of Sunday's game. Brussino scored 32.25 and 18.00 fantasy points, respectively, in two of the last four games and will face a Suns defense that's yielded 44.3 fantasy points per game to two-guards this season and the fourth most (50.4) over the last five games.
FORWARD/CENTER
Premium
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at LAL ($19,200): Towns has averaged 26.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals across three games versus the Lakers this season, and Los Angeles gives up the second-most fantasy points (54.9) to centers. Towns has scored 50 or more fantasy points in three of his last four games, and there's no indication that his minutes will be reduced despite the fact the T-Wolves are out of playoff contention.
Mid-Tier
Julius Randle, LAL vs. MIN ($12,600): Randle has scored 26.00 to 37.25 fantasy points the last five games, and the Timberwolves have given up the sixth-most points (20.7) and ninth-highest field-goal percentage (47.5) to power forwards. Randle has enjoyed success in this matchup this season as well, averaging 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks over three previous games against Minnesota.
Affordable
Georgios Papagiannis, SAC vs. HOU ($7,700): While much of the DFS world is likely to flock to Boban Marjanovic ($9,800) at this level, the big man's price has shot up based on his spectacular performance Friday, and he's also locked into the toughest matchup in the league for centers in the Grizzlies. Meanwhile, Papagiannis is priced $2,100 cheaper and is the "other" young 7-footer who has been making some waves in his own right lately. He's played at least 20 in nine of his last 10 games and has scored more than 20 fantasy points in four of those games. That includes a double-double against the Lakers on Friday that yielded 27.50 fantasy points, and his matchup Sunday is almost as enticing. The Rockets have surrendered the third-most fantasy points (54.5) to centers this season and the most by far (67.5) over the last five games, while also ranking in the bottom five or 10 in points (21.4), rebounds (15.5), assists (3.5) and steals (1.5) allowed to the position. To top it off, they also give up the most blocks (2.7), which could certainly work in Papagiannis' favor given his rim-protecting ability.
UTILITY
Mike Conley, MEM vs. DET ($13,800): Andrew Wiggins ($13,600) makes for a very desirable pivot in this price range as well in matchup versus the Lakers, but Conley has provided the returns of a much higher-priced player, scoring 41.75 to 59.75 fantasy points in five of his last seven games, and turning in respectable tallies of 33.0 and 38.75 in the other two contests in that span. The Pistons have been a solid defensive team overall this season, but point guard has been a weakness, as they've surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points (52.1) to the position, with the seventh-highest (44.2) field-goal percentage.
Yogi Ferrell, DAL at PHO ($9,500): For those who have enough to spend up, D'Angelo Russell ($12,600) is also appealing as an underpriced point guard option, but Yogi could be flying under the radar for many Sunday. The Mavs are expected to be without Seth Curry (shoulder) and Harrison Barnes (rest) once again, and Ferrell sports a solid 17.1 percent usage rate and averaging nearly a fantasy point per minute (0.96) without that pair of teammates on the court this season. He's also scored 21.50 to 31.25 fantasy points in three of the last four games, certainly solid-to-excellent returns on his price. The matchup works in his favor as well, as the Suns are tied with the Lakers for most fantasy points (56.4) allowed this season to point guards, and they also have given up the most over the last five (66.4) and 10 games (63.0) to the position.
