Wednesday is here, and with it comes an eight-game, 16-team featured NBA DFS slate. That means several big-time players are set to take the court, including Nikola Jokic ($12,500), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,100) and Jalen Johnson ($10,700). Still, superstars are just one avenue towards a winning fantasy lineup. Finding a few diamonds in the rough, while difficult, can also pay major dividends. Here are three value plays to target tonight in DFS contests.
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PG Kris Dunn, Los Angeles Clippers at NOP ($4,900)
Darius Garland (injury management) is listed as questionable. Even if the All-Star does suit up, he’s unlikely to handle a massive minutes total this evening. Kris Dunn is the definition of a spark plug; the tenth-year pro remains a terrific two-way presence. Still, the veteran’s harassing on-ball defense and basketball IQ doesn’t always show up in the box score. This season, Dunn is averaging 7.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game (20.6 FPTS). Those aren’t bad numbers for a role player, but it’s not ideal for fantasy purposes.
With that being said, Dunn comes into Wednesday with some momentum. He’s recorded at least 24.0 fantasy points in four of his last five appearances. Now, the Providence alum will get to take on one of the association’s worst clubs. New Orleans is bad on both sides of the ball, especially on the perimeter. The Pelicans are giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. A bonus for rostering Dunn is that he doesn’t need buckets to retain value. The guard can just as easily rack up three or four steals in one night. Against a fast-paced, inefficient offense, LA’s secret weapon should make an impact.
PG/SG Bones Hyland, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. UTA ($4,200)
Anthony Edwards (knee) is set to miss at least a week. That leaves Minnesota’s offense shorthanded, especially in the back court. As a result, more playing time should be in store for Bones Hyland. The former first round pick is undeniably talented, but he has yet to carve out a consistent role with the Timberwolves. Over 60 games this season, he’s notched 7.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 46% shooting (15.1 FPTS). In addition, midseason pickup Ayo Dosunmu ($5,000) is expected to log more minutes going forward as well.
Despite an uncertain role, Hyland has already shown what he’s capable of this week. On Monday, the VCU alum tallied 22 points, two rebounds and five assists over 29 minutes vs. Phoenix (34.5 FPTS). Now, he’ll attempt to repeat that performance against one of the worst defenses in recent memory. Utah is allowing the most points (124.9) and most three-pointers made (15.4) per game to opponents. To boot, the Jazz have coughed up the most fantasy points to opposing point guards. Even if this one gets out of hand, Hyland should find a way to put up buckets tonight.
SF/PF Jalen Slawson, Indiana Pacers vs. POR ($4,000)
It’s anyone’s guess as to who will take the floor for the Pacers at this point. Head coach Rick Carlisle has the thankless job of extracting effort out of a clearly rebuilding squad, at least for the remainder of this season. That’s meant some random players taking the floor in Indiana, including Jalen Slawson. A career G-Leaguer, the 26-year old has only taken the floor four times this season. During that time, he’s posted 5.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists on awful 27% shooting (20.2 FPTS).
Despite his inefficiency, Slawson has remained somewhat respectable in DFS formats. That’s due almost entirely to his exceptional defense. The wing is averaging 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. It’s also worth noting that he’s logged 22+ minutes in each of his previous three contests. Tonight’s matchup pits the Pacers against a Portland squad that loves pushing the pace. The Blazers have also given up the seventh-most fantasy points to small forwards this season. At a modest $4,000 price tag, Slawson’s two-way skills could lead to another stuffed stat line.
