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 Saturday’s nine-game slate that are being slept on.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $120K Fadeaway [$30K to 1st]
SG Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers ($5,700)
On a 76ers team that’s dealt with all kinds of drama off the court, Kelly Oubre Jr. has been a stabilizing force. The tenth-year-pro will never be a star, but his solid two-way play has been much-needed for a group that needs consistency from its role players. This season, the wing is averaging 12.8 points and 5.8 rebounds along with a 45.1% field goal percentage (30.1 3PT%).
Oubre Jr. has struggled recently, totaling just 23 points during his previous three games. Still, head coach Nick Nurse has no issues playing the veteran for over 32 minutes a night, so there’s certainly more room for production going forward. If there’s any team that can get a player out of a shooting slump, it’s the Jazz. This season, Utah is giving up the third-most points to opponents (119.6) and the second-most DK fantasy points to opposing shooting guards. In a game that might not demand much from Philadelphia’s Big Three, look for Oubre Jr. to find some rhythm on offense.
SG/SF Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks ($5,500)
With Luka Doncic (calf) sidelined for the next month, the Mavericks will need some names other than Kyrie Irving to step up. Offseason acquisition Klay Thompson has had a decent, if unspectacular, start to his Dallas career. The former Warriors great has put up 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists on 42.5/38.5/89.7% shooting splits.
Tonight’s matchup is the perfect spot for a sharpshooter like Thompson to go wild. The Trail Blazers are allowing the most DK fantasy points to opposing shooting guards and the third-highest shooting percentage on three-point shots (37.8%). Over his last five games vs. Portland, the veteran is averaging 20.0 points and 4.2 three-pointers made. Considering Dallas’s need for a scoring punch, this price could be a steal.
PG/SG Miles McBride, New York Knicks ($3,900)
Jalen Brunson (calf) is questionable to play tonight against the Wizards. Should the All-NBA star sit out on Saturday, Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride is more than capable of filling in. It’s never easy for a bench player to handle a large workload under head coach Tom Thibodeau. However, the fourth-year pro has established himself as New York’s sixth man, posting 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 43.2% shooting from the field (40.8 3PT%). If New York’s starting point guard can’t suit up, there’s no question as to who will start in his place.
The most intriguing factor in playing McBride is that he’s capable of delivering with or without Brunson. Saturday’s opponent, the Wizards, are giving up the most points to opponents (121.8) and the most DK fantasy points to opposing guards. In a game that could easily turn into a blowout, don’t be shocked if Deuce finds himself playing most of the fourth quarter with New York’s starters on the bench. At a dirt-cheap price, this might be the best value available on tonight’s board.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $120K Fadeaway [$30K 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.
