A five-game, ten-team slate is on tap for Thursday across the NBA. Plenty of stars are set to take the floor, but there’s also several under the radar names worth watching. In other words, there’s value to be had for fantasy basketball managers. Here are three players that are being slept on tonight in DFS contests.
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SG/SF Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons ($5,400)
The Pistons have been carried all season by the spectacular play of Cade Cunningham. As great as the All-Star has been, this hasn’t been a one-man show. Among several names that have stepped up for Detroit, Malik Beasley stands out. Through 66 games, the sharpshooter has averaged 16.5 points while shooting 44.1% from the field and 42.0% from three-point range (25.9 FPTS).
Beasley’s heavy reliance on shooting makes him a high ceiling, low floor DFS option. On Thursday, expect the former rather than the latter. Detroit’s opponent, the Wizards, have allowed the most points (122.4) and fourth-most three-pointers made (14.3) per game. In addition, Washington has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards. At this modest salary, all Beasley needs is a few big shots to return value.
PG/SG Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic ($4,900)
Without a healthy Jalen Suggs, the Magic have been forced to turn towards their bench for back court production. That’s meant more minutes for most guards on the roster, including Cole Anthony. The fifth-year pro has had his worst season in the NBA, posting 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game (20.0 FPTS).
While Anthony has seen a statistical decline, he’s still a solid player when given an expanded role. Over 22 games as a starter this season, the guard has produced 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. That level of success should continue against a Pelicans team allowing the sixth-most points per game (117.9) in basketball. New Orleans has also given up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. Another solid showing from Anthony should be expected on Thursday.
PF/C Trendon Watford, Brooklyn Nets ($4,600)
The Nets announced that power forward Noah Clowney (ankle) would miss tonight’s game vs. the Bulls. That should open up more minutes for fellow big man Trendon Watford. The LSU product hasn’t been much more than a bench piece over four years in the NBA. However, he’s generated solid numbers when given a larger role. Over 24 career games as a starter, Watford has averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
On most nights, those stats might not be enough to make Brooklyn’s backup big a must-start. That’s not the case on Thursday; this season, Chicago has allowed the second-most points (121.0) and the second-most rebounds (55.0) per game. The Bulls have also coughed up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. If the Nets give Watford a bigger workload on Thursday, he could be a steal for fantasy managers.
