Welcome to the NBA GPP Pivots article, where we’ll be looking to uncover some sneaky-good DFS plays on FanDuel and DraftKings. These recommendations are usually risk/reward commodities meant to be used in large-field tournaments. Typically, blending these low-owned hidden gems with well-aligned popular picks contributes to a viable GPP strategy.
Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
With that, let’s dive into tonight’s main slate starting at 7:30 ET.
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POINT GUARD
Patrick Beverley – LA Clippers (at Sacramento)
Beverley has been pegged as a better real-life player than fantasy asset throughout his career, and most DFS enthusiasts still fall into that thinking. Despite that, Beverley has been surging for the Clippers while hitting 43 and 39 fantasy points with 38 and 36 minutes respectively over his past two games. The LAC guard has seemed more aggressive on offense since the Clippers made their recent moves. This is a good matchup to hope for more of the same with Beverley facing a Sacramento team that ranks fourth in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency to point guards. The last time these two teams met, Beverley posted 44 fantasy points through 35 minutes on January 27.
SHOOTING GUARD
Jeremy Lamb – Charlotte (at Brooklyn)
Now we enter the curious case of Jeremy Lamb. The Charlotte guard lost his starting spot, but that was apparently the best thing for his fantasy profile. Lamb has posted 35+ FP in three of four games since the demotion, including back-to-back 47+ FP efforts. It actually makes sense if you think about it, as Lamb doesn’t have to compete with Kemba Walker for points, assists, and usage now that their minutes are staggered. I’m not sure what Lamb’s ownership rate will look like tonight, but he certainly deserves your attention in tournaments while looking at a competitive draw against a Brooklyn team that ranks 18th in team defensive efficiency, 10th in pace, and 26th in rebound rate.
SMALL FORWARD
Kelly Oubre Jr. – Phoenix (vs New Orleans)
Oubre’s fantasy output has been all over the map recently, but that’s expected when playing for an inconsistent team that runs into numerous blowout situations. Tonight’s home draw against New Orleans is expected to be competitive and high scoring (5 point spread & 237 over/under), so hopefully we won’t have to worry about pinched minutes. The Pelicans rank eighth in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency to small forwards, so this is an encouraging spot for Oubre to flex some upside. Take note that Phoenix superstar Devin Booker is questionable as well. His absence would certainly boost Oubre’s DFS prospects, but I believe the Suns’ forward could notch a solid line either way. Most people will be looking towards Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Brandon Ingram, Otto Porter, or value at small forward – but let’s not forget about Oubre and his realistic 40-45 FP upside in this favorable draw.
POWER FORWARD
Harry Giles III – Sacramento (vs LA Clippers)
There’s good news, bad news, and then more good news when it comes to Giles’ DFS prospects tonight. First off, Marvin Bagley will miss a week or two moving forward, and Giles stepped up for 30 fantasy points with him leaving early last game. However, Giles only saw 17 minutes in that game, and we’d like to see more minutes to feel confident in his fantasy viability. The Sacramento rotation is pretty unpredictable in the frontcourt as well, even with Bagley out of the picture. The second piece of good news comes from the matchup, as the Clippers have been very generous to opposing frontcourts while ranking 29th in defensive efficiency to them this season. If Giles sees a boost in playing time, he could pay dividends in this mouthwatering draw. If the minutes remain under 20, there’s still a chance he could post enough efficiency to help your DFS squad. However, that would come with a substantially lower floor.
CENTER
Robin Lopez – Chicago (at Atlanta)
Lopez isn’t an exciting DFS play, but that’s exactly what could lead to a much lower-than-deserved ownership rate. Don’t look now, but “RoLo” has been seeing quality minutes while hitting 35+ fantasy points in three of his past five. Tonight’s matchup could help him surpass that threshold while facing an Atlanta team that ranks second in pace, 22nd in defensive efficiency to centers, and 24th in rebound rate.
ALSO CONSIDER
Moe Harkless – SF - Portland (at Toronto)
Harkless was mentioned in the GPP Pivots column on Wednesday, coming through with 37 fantasy points in 37 minutes at Boston. That total gives him a strong 33 FPPG average over his past four games, and he’ll continue to see adequate playing time with Evan Turner out. Despite the recent success, I’m thinking Harkless will carry a suppressed ownership rate while flying under the radar within a crowded small forward position.
Jayson Tatum – PF - Boston (vs Washington)
Tatum has to turn things around at some point, right? The Boston forward has disappointed with 20 or fewer fantasy points in three straight games now. His playing time is still robust, but the peripheral contributions have been lacking despite that. Tatum will have a chance to turn things around against a Washington team that ranks 24th in defensive efficiency to opposing small forwards – the position he has been manning with Marcus Morris at the four-spot. Most people will wait until Tatum has bounced-back, but you could be one step ahead of the crowd while looking towards him in this promising matchup.
