DraftKings’ main NBA DFS slate for Sunday begins at 7:00 PM EST and features five games. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players and below, I dive into three of my favorite bargain plays for this slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
PG/SG, Anthony Black, Orlando Magic at Houston Rockets, $4,600
Black should have no trouble out-producing this salary with both Paolo Banchero (groin) and Jalen Suggs (groin) out Sunday. Black is averaging 26.2 FPTS in 30.7 minutes per game in the three contests he has played without Suggs this season, despite Banchero being active for all these tilts. Now, with Banchero also out of the picture, Black should see an even larger role.
With Banchero and Suggs off the floor the last two seasons, Black is scoring 1.0 FPTS per minute with a 22% usage rate and a 22% assist rate. The veteran should receive around 35 minutes Sunday and score 25+ FPTS, regardless of facing a Rockets defense that ranks ninth in rating this season.
C, Steven Adams, Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic, $3,600
Adams was priced over $4,000 to begin this season, but now the veteran’s salary has inexcusably dropped to a season-low $3,600, making Adams one of the top values for this slate. The 32-year-old is the Rockets’ primary backup center and Adams has been very effective with this role, averaging 23 FPTS in 21 minutes per game.
Adams is shooting 58.5% from the field and he has topped 20 FPTS in seven of his 10 games. The Magic rank 12th in defensive rating, but they are a team that prefers to have a natural center on the floor at all times, which should result in 20-25 minutes for Adams. The big man is contributing 1.1 FPTS per minute this season and Adams is a strong bet for at least 20 FPTS.
C, Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz, $4,000
Similar to Adams, Smith is a backup center that is a compelling bargain play tonight. Smith has been efficient this season, leading the Bulls with 1.3 FPTS per minute while shooting 49.4% from the field.
Despite coming off the bench, Smith has flashed great upside in two of his last three games, with 42.8 FPTS vs. the Cavaliers and 30.5 FPTS vs. the Spurs, both of which were double-doubles for the big man. Going against a Jazz team that ranks 11th in pace and 25th in defensive rating Sunday, Smith has strong upside relative to his cheap salary and he is a viable punt play for all formats.
