Welcome to the NBA GPP Pivots article, where we’ll be looking to uncover some sneaky-good DFS plays away from the popular selections. 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 staples 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.
We will be looking at Tuesday’s six-game slate starting at 7:00 ET.
[[ad:athena]]
POINT GUARD
Kemba Walker - Boston (vs. Denver)
Let’s face it: Kemba Walker has been inconsistent this season. His salary has essentially bottomed-out across the DFS industry, possibly creating a buy-low opportunity on Tuesday. Kemba is fresh off a satisfying 37 FP showing at Washington on Sunday, and now he’ll face Denver (24th vs. PGs) in this competitive home draw. Teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have taken over as the primary weapons in Boston, but don’t forget about Walker - who will continue to carry the Celtics’ backcourt with Marcus Smart sidelined.
SHOOTING GUARD
Dillon Brooks - Memphis (vs. New Orleans)
Brooks is a fickle DFS option whose fantasy value depends on sinking jumpers. For that reason, he’s probably a better option on FanDuel - where the salary is cheap and you have to select two true SGs. I’m bullish on Brooks for a non-imposing price, as he’s looking at a strong matchup against a New Orleans team that ranks 25th in defensive efficiency to shooting guards. Brooks has achieved 32+ fantasy points in two of his last four, and that’s definitely on the table for this matchup.
Editor’s Note: Dominate daily with our premium DFS Tools that are packed with our lineup optimizer, a salary tracker, projections, and much more. And don’t forget to use promo code WELCOME10 to get 10% off. Click here to learn more!
SMALL FORWARD
Justin Jackson - Oklahoma City (vs. Portland)
Oklahoma City will continue to operate without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, George Hill, and Theo Maledon. Justin Jackson has seen increased playing time for OKC’s thin rotation, making quite the impression with 32+ FP in back-to-back games. His salary is still modest, and there’s a good chance Jackson will continue to thrive as long as the Thunder need him. He’s brimming with confidence while holding a sizable role in a strong matchup vs. Portland - so definitely keep him on your tournament radar.
POWER FORWARD
Jarred Vanderbilt - Minnesota (vs. LA Lakers)
Trying to predict Minnesota’s power forward rotation has been a fool’s errand all season. However, Karl-Anthony Towns is back in the mix, and Jarred Vanderbilt played brilliantly next to him on Sunday: good for 29 FP in 23 minutes. I actually believe Vanderbilt has some staying power in that spot, and he could get another start tonight. That could translate to an efficient line in this home draw against the Lakers.
CENTER
Deandre Ayton - Phoenix (vs. Brooklyn)
There’s no shortage of confident centers on this slate. People will swarm towards the likes of Nikola Jokic, Enes Kanter, and Al Horford - who all find themselves in strong matchups. Deandre Ayton will likely be forgotten after three straight mediocre performances. Foul trouble and blowouts have plagued him, but a bounce-back is possible tonight. Ayton will be playing up in pace vs. Brooklyn (231 over/under), who ranks 28th in defensive efficiency to centers.
ALSO CONSIDER
Kyle Lowry (PG - TOR) could be underrated tonight. Most people will flock towards teammate Fred VanVleet, but Lowry should continue to see a ton of minutes in this primetime matchup. Jrue Holiday will not play for Milwaukee, so Lowry’s individual matchup could be somewhat smoother.
Robert Covington (PF - POR) has a wide range of fantasy outcomes. We’ve stated that multiple times throughout this article series. However, I believe his floor/ceiling combination is higher with CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic out. RoCo has produced 31+ FP in three of his last five, and now he’s facing a young OKC team that ranks 21st in d-eff to PFs, sixth in pace, and 20th in rebound rate.
If can’t get on board with Ayton, then Jonas Valanciunas (C - MEM) is another big man who will be underrated tonight. His salary is wedged between Jokic and Kanter/Horford, and I’m thinking most people will go for one of those three centers. JoVal has hit 39+ FP in three of his last four, and he’s facing a Pels team that ranks 22nd in defensive efficiency to centers.
