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 Friday’s post-Christmas slate that are being slept on.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
C Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies ($5,000)
Even as the road team on the second leg of a back-to-back, the Grizzlies are set up for a win on Friday vs. the 5-26 Pelicans. Memphis has established itself as a title contender in the Western Conference, rebounding from an injury-plagued campaign last season. Among the reasons for improvement, 7’4″ Zach Edey (literally) stands out. Selected with the ninth overall pick in June, the Purdue alum has put up 11.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks through 19 games.
Despite playing just under 22 minutes per game, Edey’s production has placed him firmly in contention for Rookie of the Year. The Canadian has shown an ability to deliver impressive stat lines in a limited amount of time, including a 21-point, 16-rebound performance against the Raptors on Thursday. New Orleans is vulnerable inside, giving up the sixth-most DK fantasy points to opposing centers. Look for Memphis’ big man to put up another double-double against one of the association’s worst teams.
SG/SF Quentin Grimes, Dallas Mavericks ($5,000)
The Mavericks were dealt a crushing blow on Christmas vs. the Timberwolves when Luka Doncic left the game with a calf injury. With one of the game’s best players due to miss at least a month, Dallas will have to get creative with its rotations. Although Kyrie Irving is capable of stepping up as a top option, the rest of the team’s offense is up for grabs.
Among the role players that should see an expanded workload, Quentin Grimes offers plenty of value in DFS lineups. Over seven games played this season without Doncic, the wing has averaged 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Most important is that during those contests, head coach Jason Kidd has left the sharpshooter in for nearly 27 minutes a night. Against a Suns team giving up the eighth-most three-pointers per game to opponents (13.8), Grimes could get plenty of quality looks from long distance.
PF/C Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets ($4,700)
A rebuilding Nets team is still figuring things out, but they might have a diamond in the rough with Noah Clowney. The former first-round pick has emerged as a quality contributor during his last four games, putting up 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds over 31.5 minutes. The potential return of Dorian Finney-Smith on Friday could eat into Clowney’s workload, but his stellar play should earn some goodwill from head coach Jordi Fernandez.
Fresh off of a 20-point outing vs. the Bucks, look for the Alabama product to get another starting nod with or without Finney-Smith. Normally, a matchup with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs would be a stay away for any power forward. However, Clowney’s shooting gives him an edge, as he’s knocked down 14 three-pointers over his last four appearances. As long as Brooklyn trusts their young big man with enough minutes, this price tag will look like a steal.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K 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.
