Fantasy basketball advice: NBA FanDuel lineup advice for Sunday, Feb. 8

Kyrie Irving, G, Cavaliers ($8,700): Irving and the Cavaliers face the Lakers on Sunday. The Lakers, as it happens, are allowing opposing point guards to score more points per game (26.3) than any other team in the NBA (according to HoopsStats.com). The Lakers really can't guard anyone, but elusive and electric point guards happen to be extra problematic for them. Irving happens to be elusive and electric. A 30 and 5 effort here is a good bet.

James Harden, G, Rockets ($10,800): When shelling out money on a big-time guy, you want a guaranteed return on your investment. That's the reasoning behind breaking the bank on Harden. The Bearded One is always Houston's primary offensive weapon, but with Dwight Howard out Harden is being asked to do even more. The Blazers, whom the Rockets will be playing on Sunday, are good defensively. But they, like the Rockets, also like to play fast. There are going to be a lot of possessions and lots of scoring in this game, and Harden's going to be heavily involved on Houston's side.

Mike Conley, G, Grizzlies ($6,500): The Grizzlies play the Hawks on Sunday, which means Conley is going to be called into duty. The Grizzlies point guard is averaging around 25 FanDuel points over his last three games, and there's no reason to believe he won't at least match that on Sunday. These Grizzlies are not the slow, slug-it-out team of past years. Atlanta likes to push the pace and Memphis is likely going to do the same. Conley is the one who will benefit.

Tobias Harris, F, Magic ($6,100): Harris has been excellent all year (18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one block, one steal per game) and even better of late (25 points, seven rebounds and four assist per game in his last three contests, 91 total FanDuel points in his last two games). Harris was Orlando's primary offensive weapon Friday in Game 1 of the Post-Jacque Vaughn Era. That was likely not a fluke. The one concern here is his matchup against the Bulls. But Chicago's defense has been just average this year, and Harris has enough talent to cash in on the increased amount of looks he's likely going to get.

Josh Smith, F, Rockets: Ignore the points. Smith has been getting more minutes since Dwight Howard went down, and he's been rewarding the Rockets with good all-around games -- 38 FanDuel points Friday against the Bucks. 38.6 Wednesday against the Bulls. He's been rebounding, blocking shots and scoring about 12 points per game, which is enough to keep him on the court. Houston needs him now, and Smith will likely be the one tasked with guarding LaMarcus Aldridge on Sunday against Portland. That will keep him on the court, which is all FanDuel owners need to hear.

Carlos Boozer, F, Lakers ($6,000): All about opportunity. Jordan Hill is out, the Lakers have a D-League roster, they're playing the high-scoring Cavaliers on Sunday — someone is going to have to score for them, and there's no reason to think that person won't be Boozer. He's had over 30 FanDuel points in three of his last five games, and we know Kevin Love doesn't want to play D. Don't be surprised if Boozer goes for 25 on Sunday.

Timofey Mozgov, C, Cavaliers ($5,500): Centers are hard to find, especially once you get past the DeMarcus Cousins and Marc Gasol types. Mozgov, though, has been great since he joined Cleveland, averaging 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game over his last 10. You've got to gamble on some guys in a FanDuel format. Mozgov, who has been essential to the Cavaliers' defense, is a good player to bet on.

Gerald Henderson, G, Hornets ($5,300): Riding the hot hand here. Henderson is averaging 17 points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over his last five games. With Kemba Walker out, he's been getting more looks on offense, and, for the most part, has been taking advantage of them.

Jamal Crawford, G, Clippers ($5,000): One of the best bargains out there for Sunday. With J.J. Reddick out, the Clippers need to play Crawford (Austin Rivers is not going to be able to stay on the court). Yeah, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year has been struggling a bit of late, but Crawford is a volume shooter capable of going off any night. He's going to be getting the minutes Sunday against the Thunder. The shots, and points, will hopefully come too.