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 seven-game slate starting at 7:00 ET.
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POINT GUARD
Cole Anthony - Orlando (at Portland)
Anthony is starting to become a regular in this column. His price has been marked-up since taking over the Orlando point guard spot, and there’s some volatility in his game log. We can expect that from a rookie, but I believe we’ll see his good side tonight. Anthony is playing confident basketball with a 35 FPPG average over his last two. Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon are sidelined for Orlando, so the rookie should keep soaking up more usage. Tonight’s matchup looks great too, as Portland ranks dead last in defensive efficiency to point guards. There are plenty of legitimate floor generals to choose from in DFS, and that should result in a lower-than-deserved contingency for Anthony.
SHOOTING GUARD
Josh Jackson - Detroit (vs. Brooklyn)
Jackson is another moderately-priced player who could benefit from his team’s injury situation. Derrick Rose has been traded away from Detroit while Wayne Ellington and Delon Wright are questionable. Jackson stepped up with Rose/Ellington out last game, posting 47 FP in 37 minutes against the Lakers. A similar role in a high-scoring matchup (229.5 over/under) vs. Brooklyn could be enough to keep him going. Definitely keep Jackson on your tournament shortlist.
SMALL FORWARD
Juan Toscano-Anderson - Golden State (at San Antonio)
The Warriors are thin up front with James Wiseman, Kevon Looney, and Marquese Chriss out. Toscano-Anderson has filled the void admirably while proving that he blends in comfortably with Golden State’s scheme. That has resulted in an average of 26 FPPG in 32 minutes over his past four. Toscano-Anderson’s salary has been adjusted, but I still believe he’s too cheap when considering the near full-time role. I don’t think he’ll post a fantasy score that hurts you when taking into account the non-imposing price. The upside should come if he ends up seeing 33+ minutes, which has happened in two of his last three games.
POWER FORWARD
Robert Covington - Portland (vs. Orlando)
Covington has been a frustrating DFS option this season. He’s capable of producing in every statistical category, but the journeyman forward isn’t always aggressive on offense. Well, the Blazers need him to step up with CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic out, and “RoCo” has obliged with 33+ FP in two of his last three. Covington finds himself in a nice matchup vs. Orlando, who ranks 29th in defensive efficiency to power forwards. I believe he’s underpriced when considering the newly expanded role he’s playing.
CENTER
Mason Plumlee - Detroit (vs. Brooklyn)
Most people will be looking towards the top-tier centers like Joel Embiid or DeMarcus Cousins. Either that or they’ll dive into the bargain bin with Jakob Poeltl (if Aldridge is out). Plumlee will probably be underrated for that reason, which will come despite hitting 40+ fantasy points in two of his last three. Blake Griffin isn’t doing much for the Pistons even when he plays, so most of the frontcourt responsibilities fall on Plumlee. That should continue to be the case in a high-scoring matchup with Brooklyn (229.5 over/under), who ranks 28th in defensive efficiency to centers.
ALSO CONSIDER
Kemba Walker (PG - BOS) has been all over the map lately. That volatility paired with a perceived difficult matchup at Utah will keep him underrated in DFS tonight. However, we need to consider that Marcus Smart is out and Jaylen Brown is questionable. Also, defensive stalwart Mike Conley will not play for Utah. That translates to a cheap price, better matchup, and potentially more usage for Walker - making him an interesting tournament lift.
We all know the deal with Gary Trent Jr. (SG - POR). He depends on making jumpers to boost his DFS value, which can be a risky proposition on a game-to-game basis. However, he’s capable of upside with 37+ fantasy points in two of his last five. Trent will continue to get his looks with McCollum sidelined, and the matchup is great against an Orlando team that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency to shooting guards. Most people will encounter sticker-shock with Trent’s salary, but you probably shouldn’t write him off completely in this tasty draw.
Daniel Theis (PF - BOS) is too cheap. He left Friday’s game against the Clippers with a sore knee, playing just eight minutes with 1.7 fantasy points. That will keep his salary lower than it should be for at least a week or so. Theis returned to play 34 minutes on Sunday (25 FP at PHX), so it seems like he’s good to go. The Celtics will probably need his size tonight against the likes of Rudy Gobert, so he should be in line for another large serving of minutes.