Injuries and ever-changing rotations are the only guarantee in the NBA, which makes finding value in DFS contests a difficult task. Yet, if you look close enough, there’s plenty of hidden gems available to slot into your lineups. Here are three players from Thursday’s eight-game slate that are being slept on.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $250K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
SG Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns ($5,500)
The Suns will be without Kevin Durant for at least the next week due to a left ankle sprain. Without the former MVP, Phoenix’s rotations are sure to shift. Other than Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, there’s no clear pecking order on offense, as the team has a number of decent role players that could conceivably step up.
That includes Grayson Allen. The seven-year pro is one of the game’s more reliable bench players, making his mark primarily as a career 40.8% shooter from three-point range. While the former Duke star doesn’t start often, he is capable of filling in whenever a big name is out. In seven games without Durant this year, Allen has put up 13.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists. Double-digit points on good efficiency would make this veteran a savvy add to fill out your lineups tonight.
PG/SG Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks ($4,700)
Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson have returned from injury, but Dallas is still getting plenty of production from its role players. That includes journeyman Spencer Dinwiddie, who has come on strong recently. The score-first guard has scored 16 points or more in four of his last five outings, garnering at least 24 minutes of playing time in each contest. During that time, he’s averaged 32.6 DK fantasy points.
There’s plenty of starpower standing between Dinwiddie and a starting role, but there’s still a lot to like about him coming off of the bench. Tonight’s opponent, the Wizards, are one of the NBA’s worst defenses, giving up the second-most points in the league (122.8 PPG). Regardless of how this one goes, the veteran guard should be in line for a decent amount of minutes. Should Dallas dominate, head coach Jason Kidd might empty the bench early. If the game remains close, the team might keep only a select group of subs on the floor, but for an extended time. At such a dirt-cheap price, Dinwiddie is an intriguing dart-throw heading into a promising matchup.
C Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans ($5,100)
Despite their atrocious 4-18 record, there have been a few glimmers of hope for the Pelicans. Chief among them is rookie Yves Missi, who has provided some much-needed stability at center. The first-round pick has posted 9.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks through 21 games, numbers that should put him on pace for an All-Rookie team selection at the end of the season.
However, the Baylor alum’s production might not last. Forward Herb Jones is on track to play on Thursday, his first game action in over a month. While New Orleans head coach Willie Green isn’t opposed to going small-ball, I don’t believe Jones’ return will suddenly make Missi fantasy irrelevant. The big man has been phenomenal lately, averaging 15.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 steals in his last five appearances. Even if the 20-year-old’s minutes take a slight dip, he’s been too good to sit for an extended period of time. Tonight’s game against a Suns team missing starting center Jusuf Nurkic should serve as a reminder that Missi is still a name to watch on an otherwise lackluster squad.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $250K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
