A six-game, 12-team slate makes up Thursday’s featured NBA DFS slate. That includes a handful of marquee matchups and must-watch players. Luka Doncic ($12,200), Victor Wembanyama ($11,700) and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander ($10,400) are all set to take the floor tonight. Still, big names can only get you so far in fantasy basketball. A successful lineup also demands a few lower-priced values. Which bargains should managers prioritize ahead of tonight’s contests?
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PG/SG Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs at LAC ($4,700)
Despite his second overall pick status, the Spurs haven’t even needed immediate production from Dylan Harper. The 29-year-old has been given a role off of the bench, learning from San Antonio’s already stacked back court. Unsurprisingly, the rookie has shown improvement as the season has gone along. Through 63 games, Harper is averaging 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists (23.7 FPTS). In addition, he’s shooting an efficient 50% from the field. Those aren’t outstanding numbers, but it isn’t anything to sneeze at, either.
For a bench piece, Harper has a fairly safe floor. The Rutgers alum has tallied at least 20.0 fantasy points in each of his last six outings. He’ll look to do so again tonight at the Intuit Dome. This season, the Clippers are coughing up the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. LA’s perimeter defense is likely even worse now with Darius Garland ($8,400) starting up top. On the second leg of a back to back, Harper should command a solid workload for the Spurs.
PG/SG Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans at POR ($4,600)
Despite their lackluster record, the Pelicans have a decent amount of talent on their roster. Among those names, Jeremiah Fears has gained some momentum as of late. The former first-round pick has taken some time to get acclimated to the pros. However, he’s averaging 14.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals over his last four games (26.43 FPTS). Most important, the rookie has logged 20 minutes in each of those contests. There’s no reason to think New Orleans won’t continue to grant him a prominent role going forward.
To make things even more enticing for Fears, the Pels will likely be without Trey Murphy (ankle). That should open up even more touches than usual this evening. Portland operates at the NBA’s ninth-fastest tempo (100.8) on offense; New Orleans is 12th (100.0). That should ensure even more possessions than usual in a potential shootout. The Trail. Blazers have surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to point guards this season. At $4,600, Fears deserves heavy consideration on Thursday.
SG Sam Merrill, Cleveland Cavaliers at GSW ($4,400)
Coming into the season, depth was a bit of a concern for the Cavaliers. However, through a series of savvy moves, this squad’s bench is far more dangerous now than it was before. Sam Merrill deserves plenty of praise in that regard. The 6’4″ sharpshooter is the definition of instant offense. Over 49 appearances this season, the Utah State alum is averaging 12.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 46% from the field. From three point range, he’s connecting at a sublime 43% clip.
When fully healthy, the Warriors are a stingy defensive unit; that most definitely isn’t the case on Thursday. On the perimeter, Gary Payton II (knee), De’Anthony Melton (thumb), Moses Moody (knee) and Steph Curry (knee) are all sidelined. Unsurprisingly, Golden State has allowed an NBA-worst 17.3 three pointers made over its last three games. In comparison, Merrill has drained at least two treys in seven of his last eight outings. He’s well-positioned to continue that success in San Francisco.
