A five-game featured DraftKings NBA DFS slate tips off tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET. We’re nearly two weeks into the regular season, and roles are already shifting. Injuries and underperformance are shuffling rotations across the association, creating opportunity for fantasy basketball managers. Here are three under the radar options worth consideration in your lineups tonight.
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SF/PF Jerami Grant, Memphis Grizzlies vs. SAC ($4,500)
Just about everything has gone right for the undefeated Grizzlies over the past two weeks. However, there’s still room for improvement on this roster. 13th-year pro Jerami Grant has had a tough time adjusting to his new squad. Still, head coach Tuomas Iisalo continues to give the veteran a decent amount of playing time. Grant has logged at least 22 minutes in all five of Memphis’ matchups so far. During that time, he’s only averaging 8.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 32.5% from the field (17.7 FPTS). Regardless, the versatile wing is a solid presence to have on the court even if his shot isn’t falling.
In spite of his scoring struggles, Grant has chipped in for Memphis in other ways. He’s putting up 0.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game on the defensive end of the floor. Saturday’s game has the potential for even more counting stats. The Kings are an absolute mess, especially when it comes to stopping opponents. Sacramento is allowing the most fantasy points to small forwards this season. It helps that the Kings operate at the NBA’s fifth-quickest pace on offense (103.2). That should speed things up a bit and force the Grizzlies into more shot attempts than usual. Grant is a nice value option tonight against a turnstile defense.
SF/PF Kenrich Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder at HOU ($4,200)
Chet Holmgren’s patellar tendon tear is the latest blow to an injury-depleted Oklahoma City squad. The Thunder are now forced to utilize their front court depth. That means an expanded role for longtime role player Kenrich Williams. It’s been a fairly uneventful season for the 31-year-old up to this point. He’s accounted for 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game (8.7 FPTS). With that being said, he should see an uptick in minutes and usage. After all, OKC is also without key contributors Jalen Williams (leg), Cason Wallace (shoulder) and Alex Caruso (ankle).
Today’s matchup against a dangerous Rockets defense could prove difficult. They’re a respectable, but not insurmountable, 12th in defensive rating (110.8). This group is allowing the NBA’s ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards. It’s not as if Williams is a stranger in this spot. Over his previous 15 games played without Holmgren, the TCU alum is averaging 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Most fantasy basketball managers would sign up for that stat line this evening.
SG/SF Sam Merrill, Cleveland Cavaliers at MIL ($4,000)
Depth is a key factor for the Cavaliers, hoping to make an NBA Finals appearance. Much of Cleveland’s effectiveness on the bench comes down to the performance of Sam Merrill. Over five games this season, the sharpshooter is averaging 9.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists (18.1 FPTS). He’s knocking down just under 35% of his attempts from deep, falling short of expectations. However, it’s likely just a matter of time until the career 40% three-point shooter gets back on track.
Saturday is the perfect spot for Merrill to make an all-around impact. Milwaukee is in the midst of a rebuild, and it’s showing on defense. The Bucks are surrendering the association’s fourth-most points per game to opponents this season (124.2). That includes allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to shooting guards. Merrill has plenty of experience in this situation as well. He’s notched at least 14 points in each of his previous four meetings with Milwaukee.
