After a high-scoring Saturday night, Sunday brings us just four NBA games on Conference Championship Sunday in the NFL. With the lone early tip containing the main injury issues, we’ll have news on some of the day’s big value opportunities before lock. Let’s take a look at Vegas’ outlook on Sunday’s short slate.

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Vegas lines and totals

Dallas @ Houston (-1.5) – total of 208
L.A. Clippers @ Toronto (-1.5) – total of 204.5
Boston (-8.5) @ Philadelphia – total of 207
Oklahoma City (-13.5) @ Brooklyn – total of 207

There were a lot of DFS points scored Saturday and if these lines are any indication, Sunday has a good chance to pack a lot of points in as well considering the limited number of games. Mavericks-Rockets and Clippers-Raptors are likely to go down to the wire and be played in the 100s, while Thunder-Nets and Celtics-76ers have some blowout potential, although Philadelphia has been playing well enough lately that they should be able to stave off a big loss. Let’s see who the top plays are Sunday.

POINT GUARD

Russell Westbrook – The point guard position isn’t as attractive as some of the other spots for once, at least when it comes to per-dollar value. There are five high-priced options on the slate, but paying up for Westbrook against the Nets is a wise move. OKC is likely to crush the Nets, but the Thunder have struggled on the road lately and may need more than just a half to put away Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Even if they don’t, Westbrook will likely pack some great stats into 30 minutes of playing time.
(Update: Thunder-Nets has been moved back to 7:30 p.m. due to the New York City snowstorm. A postponement seems unlikely, but it has to be considered as at least a slim possibility)

Isaiah Thomas – Philadelphia has defended far better of late, especially at PG since acquiring Ish Smith, but Thomas has been unbelievably consistent this season. There’s no reason that shouldn’t continue with the Celtics projected as the highest-scoring team on Sunday’s slate, and Thomas is a good option at PG if you don’t want to pay for Westbrook.

Cheap risk option: A mainstay as my cheap risk option of late, Cameron Payne continues to play well in limited time off the bench. Even when he sees just 15 minutes per game, he’s good for about a point per minute, and a potential blowout in Brooklyn could see Payne find his way into minutes in the 20s. That could provide a nice return on investment.

SHOOTING GUARD

James Harden – James Harden tends to put up gaudy numbers when Dwight Howard sits, as his averages of 31.5 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists per game over his last two without D12 attest. Harden has been better at home than on the road and the Mavericks, while not easy on opposing SGs, shouldn’t be much of an impediment towards Harden’s status as easily the top pick at the 2 on Sunday.

Avery Bradley – The 76ers still have a black hole at SG with Nik Stauskas out, and you could argue his presence didn’t exactly fix the problem. Regardless, the likes of JaKarr Sampson, Isaiah Canaan and Hollis Thompson give Bradley a nice advantage, and he’s scored at least 19 points in each of his past three games. Expect Bradley to make it four straight Sunday.

Cheap risk option: Sticking with the Celtics-76ers game, Evan Turner has readjusted to his bench role since Bradley came back, putting together consecutive 10-5-5 games. The 76ers’ lack of wing depth and Turner’s solid role in coach Brad Stevens’ rotation could lead to a nice all-around game, especially if he sees a few extra minutes if the game gets out of hand.

SMALL FORWARD

Chandler Parsons – Dirk Nowitzki might sit Sunday’s game out with lingering knee problems, and his absence would be Parsons’ gain. Parsons has been on fire of late, averaging 24 points and six rebounds per game in his last three. Even if Dirk plays, Parsons is carving out a big enough role to be a good play no matter what in a great matchup with the Rockets.

Jae Crowder – First, I say Philly has been playing much better of late. Then, I suggest the first three Celtics I come across. Anyway, Crowder’s status is up in the air due to illness, but he played Friday and seems likely to play Sunday. As long as he isn’t reported to be feeling any side effects, he should have no problem putting up numbers against a team that allows a ton of points on the wing. He didn’t play too well under the weather Friday, so if you hear he’s playing but not 100 percent, feel free to fade.

Cheap risk option: While his minutes have fluctuated lately, Jerami Grant is a solid cheap play in a matchup with the Celtics that fits his young, running style. You would think there would be 25-30 minutes available for Grant in this type of game, but Brett Brown’s chaotic rotations—which aren’t necessarily his fault—could leave Grant out in the cold. There’s plenty of upside here, though.

POWER FORWARD

Terrence Jones – With Dwight Howard out again Sunday, Jones should be in line to start against Dallas. Houston went small in its last game Friday, starting Trevor Ariza at the 4 and Corey Brewer at the 3, but I’d be surprised to see that alignment again. Jones still saw 32 minutes in that game and put up 14 points, eights boards and four blocks. This season has been a rough one for Jones, but his talent in undeniable and the price and opportunity are right Sunday.

Nerlens Noel – If Nowitzki was healthy, he’d be in this spot with a great matchup in Houston, but Noel will have to do. The Celtics aren’t exactly stalwarts at defending the PF position and Noel has emerged wide awake over the past month or so after his early season slumber. Ish Smith’s return has played a major part in Noel’s resurgence, and he should bounce back from a shortened outing Wednesday that dropped his price a bit caused by a headache and blurred vision.

Injury play: Charlie Villanueva – If Nowitzki sits, the min-priced Villanueva is a top-notch punt in both cash games and GPPs. He’s only been truly productive in one start for the Mavericks, but it was his last one when he hoisted 14 shots in 28 minutes, hitting five for 14 points and six rebounds. Charlie V has never been shy about shooting and his usage rate is pretty good, meaning he’d likely hit value in even 15 minutes of playing time. The rest is profit.

Cheap risk option: The only real worry about playing Jones on Sunday is the status of Josh Smith, who was reacquired by Houston on Friday, but didn’t play. Smith and the Rockets are familiar with each other and he got some solid burn during his past time in Houston. His role is uncertain right now, but if he plays big minutes he’s a lock to crush his near-minimum price tag.

CENTER

Jonas Valanciunas – Valanciunas gets a Clippers team that continues to be decimated by centers and he plays far better at home, with his only true “busts” in his last 10 games coming away from Air Canada Centre. In a great matchup at home with a high projected team total against a team that defends guards well—possibly preventing explosions from Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan—Valanciunas could see an increased opportunity Sunday. Even if he doesn’t, he should still pay off.

Jared Sullinger – Like the rest of his Celtics teammates outside of the PF position, Sullinger is in play for Sunday’s matchup in Philadelphia. His minutes are prone to being jerked around, but he’s also shown the ability to hit value in little more than 20 minutes per game. Jahlil Okafor‘s offensive efficiency is improving but his defense isn’t, and Sullinger has the offensive skill set to take advantage.

Injury play: JaVale McGee – While McGee is unlikely to exceed 20 minutes even if he starts for an injured Zaza Pachulia, who is questionable, his per-minute potential makes him a great punt option at his near-floor price. McGee averages 5.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game in just under 12 minutes per game, giving him a great chance at a line line 10-7-2 if he starts, which would return excellent value on his price.

Cheap risk option: With starting center Steven Adams out with an injury, Enes Kanter will likely see an uptick in minutes despite Nick Collison sliding into the starting lineup. Kanter tallied 16 points and nine boards in just 24 minutes against Dallas on Friday, but a matchup with the Nets is much softer and could lead to some garbage-time minutes for Kanter. He’s a high-upside play at a mid-to-low price Sunday.

CASH GAME RANKS

This isn’t necessarily an order of who will score the most DraftKings points. Rather, the rankings are aimed to find the best price, value and production combo to help you win cash games, also taking into account potential ownership levels for each player.

PG
1) Russell Westbrook
2) Isaiah Thomas
3) Kyle Lowry
4) Ish Smith
5) Chris Paul
6) Deron Williams

SG
1) Avery Bradley
2) James Harden
3) DeMar DeRozan
4) Wesley Matthews

SF
1) Chandler Parsons
2) Jae Crowder
3) Robert Covington
4) Kevin Durant

PF
1) Terrence Jones
2) Dirk Nowitzki (if he plays)
3) Nerlens Noel
4) Charlie Villanueva (if Nowitzki sits)
5) Clint Capela
6) Serge Ibaka
7) Thaddeus Young

C
1) Jonas Valanciunas
2) JaVale McGee (if Zaza Pachulia sits)
3) DeAndre Jordan
4) Jared Sullinger
5) Jahlil Okafor
6) Zaza Pachulia (if he plays)
7) Brook Lopez

As always, I’ll do my best to update this article as news breaks throughout the day if at possible and before the first game starts at 3:30 p.m., so follow me on Twitter @christripodi for last-minute updates and suggestions.

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