The NBA Cup has taken a brief hiatus, but there’s still basketball on tap this evening. Four games between eight teams make up tonight’s featured DFS slate. That means stars such as Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Nikola Jokic will all be taking the floor.
Still, any fantasy basketball manager knows a successful lineup requires some lesser-known names. Here are two to target on Thursday in DFS and season-long formats.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
SF Herb Jones, New Orleans Pelicans vs. POR ($4,400)
Another dismal season is underway for the Pelicans, besieged by injures, coaching shakeups, and underperformance. If New Orleans does ship off some of its best players, Herb Jones might be its most attractive trade piece. The two-way wing remains one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders. In addition, he’s a capable (albeit limited) scorer. This season, Jones is averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. On defense, he’s racked up 1.6 steals. The Alabama alum has knocked down 35% of his three-point attempts.
The Pelicans are missing plenty of firepower, with both Jordan Poole (quad) and Zion Williamson (adductor) injured. That leaves ample opportunity for Jones to contribute on offense. Thursday’s opponent, the Trail Blazers, will also be short handed; guard Jrue Holiday (calf) is out. Portland has surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points to small forwards this season. During Jones’s most recent outing on Monday, he tallied 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals (40.5 FPTS). Anything close to that tonight would make the veteran a steal at $4,400.
PG/SG Aaron Holiday, Houston Rockets vs. LAC ($4,100)
The back court has been a major question mark for the Rockets this season. Amen Thompson ($8,200) has done an admirable job operating as the team’s lead ball handler. However, there aren’t many true guards at head coach Ime Udoka’s disposal. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that Aaron Holiday has played a significant role off the bench for Houston. Through 16 games, the 29-year-old has posted 9.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 46% from the field. In addition, he’s knocked down a career-high 43% of his three-point attempts.
What Holiday lacks in counting stats, he makes up for in efficiency. With that being said, Thursday presents an opportunity to do both. The Clippers have allowed the fourth-most three-pointers made per game (14.7) and the second-highest three-point percentage (39.1%). In addition, Los Angeles has coughed up the third-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. Holiday has notched at least 20.0 fantasy points in four of his previous seven appearances. Houston’s microwave scorer has what it takes to deliver another solid stat line tonight.
