Another day, another opportunity to cash in with some DFS lineups. Tuesday’s featured NBA slate offers up a ton of different options for fantasy basketball managers. Eight games between 16 teams are set to take place this evening. As a result, plenty of superstars are expected to suit up.
With that being said, a successful fantasy lineup demands some creative thinking. After all, no budget can support an abundance of five-digit players. Unfortunately, wading into the realm of underpriced bargains carries some risk; hidden gems are typically boom-or-bust options. Here are three values to consider on Tuesday in DFS and season-long fantasy formats.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Floor General [$100K to 1st]
PG/SG Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics at DAL ($4,800)
Simons is a flawed player, but he excels at scoring the basketball. Through 49 games this season, the former Trail Blazers guard is putting up 14.2 points on 44/40/89 shooting splits. Elsewhere, he’s chipped in with 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists en route to 22.2 fantasy points per game. Those certainly aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they aren’t too shabby, either. Against vulnerable perimeter defenses, Simons is capable of delivering significant fantasy value.
That’s the case on Tuesday against the Mavericks, one of the NBA’s most disappointing clubs. Anthony Davis (hand), one of the sport’s best rim protectors, remains sidelined. Dallas is giving up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards this season. Simons comes into this one with some momentum, as well. He tallied 27 points over 25 minutes on Sunday vs. Milwaukee (35.2 FPTS). A similar effort on the road tonight wouldn’t come as a surprise.
UPDATE: Simons has been sent to Chicago as part of the Nikola Vucevic trade, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. He is unlikely to play tonight.
PG Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets vs. LAL ($4,700)
The Nets are, if nothing else, loaded with potential. Egor Demin, one of the team’s five first round picks last summer, is someone to watch going forward. The Russian is inconsistent (at best) but has shown flashes of greatness this season. That doesn’t come as much of a surprise; adjusting to the NBA was never going to be easy for the 19-year-old. However, he’s looked better in recent weeks. Demin is averaging 12.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists over his last 15 games. In addition, he’s shooting 46% from three-point range during that stretch.
With that being said, the rookie hit a major speed bump on Sunday. During Brooklyn’s blowout vs. the Pistons, Demin posted just three points over 15 minutes (4 FPTS). Still, in the three games prior to that, the youngster tallied at least 25 fantasy points. Tonight, he’ll take on a Lakers squad surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. Los Angeles is below league average when it comes to giving up points and assists. At a reasonable cost of $4,700, Demin is a high-upside play to round out your lineups tonight.
PF/C Jay Huff, Indiana Pacers vs. UTA ($4,300)
Injuries have been the biggest factor behind Indiana’s horrendous season. However, the Pacers didn’t find a suitable replacement for Myles Turner ($6,200), who left for the Bucks this offseason. An array of role players have been brought in to replace the center, including Jay Huff. The former Grizzlies bench piece has, if nothing else, outplayed his peers. Over 50 games this season, Huff has recorded 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game (20.2 FPTS). The latter mark has been a welcome addition to an otherwise unimpressive defense.
Huff, much like several other Indiana players, has seen his playing time fluctuate. Following a 31-minute showing vs. Atlanta last weekend, he barely took the floor yesterday against Houston. With that being said, Tuesday’s showdown should lead to more usage. The Jazz are abysmal on defense, especially down low. They’ve allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing centers. In addition, Utah operates at the NBA’s fourth-quickest pace on offense (101.7). That lends itself to extra possessions for both sides. Huff is poised for a solid bounce-back this evening.
