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 slate that are being slept on.
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SG/SF Quentin Grimes, Dallas Mavericks ($5,700)
The Mavericks will be without two of the best players on Earth tonight, with both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving sidelined with injuries. That opens up plenty of work for some of the lesser-known names on Dallas’ roster, including Quentin Grimes. The former Knicks sharpshooter has had a solid first season in Big D, posting 10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 46.9% shooting from the field (40.7 3PT%).
Head coach Jason Kidd has entrusted Grimes with plenty of minutes recently, and the veteran has delivered. Over his last six games, the wing has averaged 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.7 three-pointers made. That should serve him well against a Trail Blazers squad giving up the most DK fantasy points to opposing shooting guards. A combination of opportunity and a weak opponent is the stuff of DFS dreams, making Grimes one of the best values available on Thursday.
PF Dillon Brooks, Houston Rockets ($4,800)
Dillon Brooks has embraced his reputation as a pest, earning millions due to his ability to harass opposing stars. However, the wing is still capable of a solid performance on the other end of the floor. Despite a lackluster shooting percentage (38.9%), the Canadian has tallied plenty of counting stats this season: 13.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists through 33 games. Those numbers are nothing to sneeze at considering the amount of depth on Houston’s roster.
Tari Eason (leg) is doubtful to play tonight, opening up more touches for the rest of Houston’s crowded group of wings. Brooks is best positioned to capitalize, having produced 17.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in the previous nine games Eason missed this season. It helps that the Grizzlies struggle to defend against power forwards, giving up the seventh-most DK fantasy points to the position. In a game against his old team, look for the veteran to deliver on his modest price tag.
SG Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat ($4,100)
Life in Miami continues without the presence of Jimmy Butler. The Heat still have one of the Eastern Conference’s deeper rosters, giving them plenty of options to turn to off of the bench. That includes Duncan Robinson, who has been his normal sharpshooting-self this season. Through 33 games played, the veteran is putting up 11.2 points on 42.8% shooting from the field (38.6 3PT%) to go with 2.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
There’s nothing about him that screams ‘must start,’ but Robinson is a nice end of lineup option. Tonight, the Heat face a Jazz team surrendering the fifth-most points (118.5) and the fourth-most three-pointers made (14.4) to opponents. To make things even more enticing, Utah is giving up the second-most DK fantasy points to shooting guards. At just over $4,000, fantasy managers could do far worse than taking a chance on Miami’s top bench scorer.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is b.armetta) 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.
