An eight-game, 16-team slate is on tap for Thursday across the NBA. Plenty of stars are set to take the floor, but there’s also several under the radar names worth watching. In other words, there’s value to be had for fantasy basketball managers. Here are three players that are being slept on tonight in DFS contests.
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SG/SF Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers ($5,100)
The Pacers operate a fast-paced offense, allowing several role players to produce solid fantasy numbers. That includes Bennedict Mathurin, a score-first wing capable of filling up the stat sheet in a hurry. This season, the 22-year-old has averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game (27.7 FPTS). However, a heavy reliance on putting up points makes the Arizona product a true ‘boom-or-bust’ play in DFS contests.
Thursday’s matchup with the Wizards has massive fantasy appeal for every member of the Pacers. This season, Washington has allowed the most points per game (122.4) and the third-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards. When these two teams last met on February 12th, Mathurin tallied 28 points, five rebounds and four assists (40.75 FPTS). A similar outing at this salary would make the sharpshooter a terrific value play in most lineups.
PG/SG Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers ($4,500)
On a Cavaliers team filled with star power, Ty Jerome has made a name for himself. The sixth-year pro has found a home on Cleveland’s bench, where he now serves as a terrific second-unit scorer. This season, the guard has posted 12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists (22.8 FPTS). The most impressive component of Jerome’s game is his efficiency, shooting 50.9% from the field (43.1 3PT%).
Jerome’s dependence on scoring, along with a light workload (19.8 MPG), can make him a risky fantasy asset. Still, there’s a lot to like here going into Thursday’s matchup. Cleveland will face a Spurs team that is ravaged by injuries, having lost both Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox for the season. Since the All-Star break, San Antonio has recorded the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA (123.0). To make matters worse, the team has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. No matter how you slice it, Jerome has a golden opportunity to put up points tonight.
PG Anthony Black, Orlando Magic ($4,000)
Injuries and a slowed-down play style have made it tough to find consistent fantasy producers on the Magic. Other than stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Orlando’s roster is filled to the brim with quality defenders that offer little else. One player that could see more work going forward is Anthony Black. The second-year pro has played primarily off the bench this season, starting just nine contests. Through 69 appearances, he’s put up 9.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game (20.2 FPTS).
Those numbers, while unimpressive, don’t tell the whole story when it comes to Black. The guard has looked great recently, scoring double-digit points in four of Orlando’s last five games. In that time, he’s averaged 14.8 points per game. Jalen Suggs (knee) is out for the season, opening up plenty of minutes in the back court. Tonight, the Magic will take on a Mavericks squad surrendering the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. Whether it’s off the bench or as a starter, Black is poised for another stellar outing on Thursday.
