Sunday's Sleepers: Why You Should Fade the Favorites
Look, Sunday slates in the NBA can be tricky. Everyone's chasing the big names, the Jokic's and Embiid's, but that's a fool's errand sometimes. Value is where you win, especially with a few teams playing on tired legs. We've got six games on the docket, and I've got my eye on some spots where the public might be missing the boat.
First up, that early Lakers-Pistons game. Anthony Davis is questionable, and even if he plays, he’s been hobbled. Thing is, the Lakers are coming off a Friday night overtime battle against the Bucks, a game where D'Angelo Russell dropped 44 points. That kind of effort takes a toll. For DFS, I'm looking at Cade Cunningham. He's been on a tear, averaging 22.8 points and 7.5 assists over his last four outings. The Lakers' perimeter defense, especially without Jarred Vanderbilt, has been shaky. Cunningham could feast, and his ownership should be lower than it deserves given the early tip.
Context and History
Then there's the Knicks in Sacramento. Without Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson has become an absolute usage monster, averaging 37.8 points in March alone. But the Kings play at the league's fourth-fastest pace. That means more possessions, more shots, and more opportunities for everyone. Domantas Sabonis is another guy I love here. He's recorded 50 consecutive double-doubles, an absurd streak, and the Knicks struggle with strong interior bigs. Mitchell Robinson is back, but he's not the same dominant force he was early in the season. Sabonis could easily go for 20 points and 15 boards. Don't overthink it.
**Undervalued Assets and a Sneaky Play**
Real talk, the Celtics-Wizards game feels like a trap. Boston should win handily, sure, but their main guys might not play big minutes if it turns into a blowout. Jayson Tatum only played 29 minutes in their last meeting with the Wizards back in January, a game they won by 20. This is where you look for the unexpected. I'm actually high on Kyle Kuzma for the Wizards. He’s been surprisingly consistent, averaging 23.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in his last seven games. He'll get all the usage he can handle, even in a losing effort. The Celtics might coast, and Kuzma could clean up the fantasy trash.
Current Situation
Here's my hot take for the day: fade Victor Wembanyama against the Suns. Yes, I said it. He's been incredible, putting up a triple-double with 10 blocks against the Raptors on February 12th. But the Suns have Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, who are fully capable of exploiting a young defense. More importantly, the Spurs are playing the second half of a back-to-back after facing the Suns on Saturday. Fatigue is real, especially for a rookie carrying such a heavy load. I think his production dips slightly, and there are better high-dollar plays on the board.
Instead, pivot to someone like Dejounte Murray in that Hawks-Clippers game. Atlanta's in a fight for the play-in tournament, and Murray has been stepping up big. He had 34 points and 7 assists against the Celtics on Thursday, showcasing his ability to take over. The Clippers' defense isn't what it once was, and they can be exploited by dynamic guards. Murray is a volume shooter who will get his shots up, and the Hawks desperately need his scoring.
My bold prediction for Sunday: Cade Cunningham drops 30 points and 10 assists against the Lakers, making him the top fantasy performer of the early slate.