We’re less than a week into the 2025 NBA playoffs, and the excitement is only ramping up. Thursday will treat hoops fans to three pivotal Game 3 matchups, starting with Knicks-Pistons in Detroit. The outcome of each game depends not only on superstars, but lesser-known names as well. Here are three players that are being slept on tonight in DFS contests.
Set your DraftKings NBA postseason fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
PG/SG Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis Grizzlies ($4,600)
Things are getting desperate for the Grizzlies, who have gotten blown out in two straight games vs. the Thunder. Nobody was predicting Memphis to win this series, but it was reasonable to expect a more competitive effort. Losing forward Jaylen Wells to a wrist injury two weeks ago appears to have had a significant impact. In the rookie’s absence, Scotty Pippen Jr. has seen an increased workload. Over 21 games as a starter, the guard has averaged 14.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 52.6% from the field.
That level of success hasn’t carried over into the postseason. Pippen Jr. has recorded a combined 15 points, six rebounds and five assists during his last two outings. Still, that doesn’t mean the ball handler is incapable of making an impact in this series. This season, Oklahoma City has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. When these teams last played in the regular season, on March 27th, Pippen Jr. dropped 17 points, ten rebounds and seven assists. If the guard comes close to that level of production on Thursday, he’d be a massive steal at $4,600.
PF/C Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies ($4,600)
Let’s stay in Memphis, where rotation re-shuffling seems to be inevitable. Zach Edey ($5,500) has largely disappointed, scoring four points in two games against a stingy Thunder defense. Backup big man Santi Aldama might have more success on offense against OKC. On Tuesday, he posted ten points and five rebounds over 31 minutes. As more of a threat from outside (36.8 3PT%), the Spaniard could see more work on Thursday.
A date with Oklahoma City is brutal for anyone, let alone a score-first player. This season, the Thunder have surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing power forwards. However, Aldama has done well in this spot before. Over his last five meetings with OKC, the 24-year-old has produced 11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but it’s not anything to sneeze at either. Considering his affordable price tag, Aldama is worth rostering in most fantasy basketball lineups.
PG/SG Kris Dunn, Los Angeles Clippers ($4,000)
On a Clippers team with plenty of star power, Kris Dunn has served a crucial role. The ninth-year pro has his flaws on offense, but he remains one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders. The Providence alum ranked fourth in the association with 1.7 steals, despite averaging only 24.1 minutes a night. The veteran’s defensive abilities have led to a combined six steals + blocks through two games in this series.
Dunn’s lack of consistency on offense can make him difficult to trust in DFS formats. Still, a matchup against Denver’s fast-paced offense is ideal. In Game 2, the Nuggets were responsible for 20 turnovers, thanks in large part to Dunn. The guard has produced at least 20.0 fantasy points in four of his last five outings. If the 31-year-old keeps playing high-level defense, he won’t need to score much in Thursday’s contest. At just $4,000, Los Angeles’ secret weapon is worth the risk tonight.
