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 eight-game main slate starting at 7:00 ET.
POINT GUARD
Tremont Waters - Toronto (vs. Philadelphia)
Waters isn’t the most exciting fantasy option, but he should see starter minutes with Fred VanVleet, Goran Dragic, and Malachi Flynn out. Gary Trent Jr. is questionable for the Raptors as well. Waters played 35 minutes in that role at Cleveland on Sunday. He came through with 26 fantasy points, a number that should rise once he improves his shooting (3-11 at CLE) and becomes more comfortable.
SHOOTING GUARD
R.J. Hampton - Orlando (vs. Milwaukee)
Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, and Terrence Ross are out for the Magic. That was the case last game at Miami, and Hampton looked good with 32 fantasy points in 31 minutes. Hampton is no stranger to filling up the stat-sheet when he sees respectable playing time. The last two instances where he saw 28+ minutes resulted in 40 and 36 fantasy points respectively. Both of those came against the same Milwaukee team he’ll see tonight.
SMALL FORWARD
Josh Hart - New Orleans (vs. Cleveland)
Our hero returns…well, maybe. Hart has been a mainstay in this column series, and he’s currently on a heater with 41+ fantasy points in three of his last four. That includes a 56 FP game at Oklahoma City on Sunday. Hart can produce in every statistical category, and he’s taking on more of a scoring role with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Brandon Ingram out. Both are doubtful tonight, but Hart himself is listed as questionable. If Hart ends up playing, he could unleash GPP-winning upside once again.
POWER FORWARD
Jaden McDaniels - Minnesota (vs. New York)
Nathan Knight and Jaylen Nowell were outstanding value picks for the short-handed Wolves last night. However, let’s not forget about McDaniels, who will continue to see 36+ minutes for this depleted team. McDaniels will be asked to take on more scoring, boards, and playing time - a role that has translated to a cool 32 FPPG mark over his last three. He has upside beyond that, as shown with a nice 39 FP game at Utah last week.
CENTER
Mitchell Robinson - New York (at Minnesota)
As mentioned in the previous write-up, Minnesota is extremely undermanned again tonight. The Wolves already ranked dead last in defensive efficiency to centers and 27th in rebound rate. Playing a third-string big man and G-League call-up won’t help those numbers. In other words, Robinson has himself an incredible matchup tonight. I like Julius Randle as a cash game play, but Robinson could be a sneaky-good beneficiary of this draw.
ALSO CONSIDER
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG - WAS) checks in as an interesting tournament play if Bradley Beal (questionable) sits out. In the last four games without Beal, Dinwiddie has amassed 45, 51, 51, and 27 fantasy points respectively. In other words, I like his chances of reaching for upside if Washington’s All-Star sits.
Daniel Gafford (C - WAS) will look to step up with Montrezl Harrell ruled out for Washington. Gafford and Harrell have been sharing the center position all season, so Gafford could step up with more minutes now that his competition is sidelined. Facing a depleted Miami frontcourt isn’t a bad landing spot to flex some fantasy upside.
