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 Wednesday’s 10-game slate starting at 7:00 ET.
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POINT GUARD
Saben Lee / Cory Joseph - Detroit (vs. Portland)
Lee has averaged 25 minutes over his last two games, coming through with 28 and 33 fantasy points respectively. He has been splitting the point guard role with Cory Joseph, who was acquired in the trade of Delon Wright. Joseph is averaging 27 minutes over his last two games with 23 and 36 FP respectively. Both of them find themselves in a strong matchup vs. Portland, who ranks dead last in defensive efficiency to point guards. Joseph is a little bit cheaper on FanDuel and DraftKings (same price on Yahoo), so he might be the better “per dollar” option.
SHOOTING GUARD
Fred VanVleet - Toronto (at Oklahoma City)
The Raptors are in a weird place right now. The team is finally healthy, but they are still trying to figure things out with Norman Powell traded away. I believe that VanVleet is underpriced on all DFS sites, and you should give him a close look through all formats. If you recall, “FVV” was routinely posting 50+ fantasy points in February, and there’s a chance he can return to that form against an OKC team that ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency to shooting guards. It helps that the Thunder will be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort.
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SMALL FORWARD
RJ Barrett - New York (at Minnesota)
Barrett isn’t the sneakiest play on this slate, but I still believe he’ll be underrepresented when considering the DFS upside. Most people will look towards Kyle Kuzma, OG Anunoby, or Khris Middleton at a similar price. Don’t forget about Barrett, who finds himself in a dream matchup while playing up in pace against a bad Minnesota defense. Prior to Monday’s clunker against Miami, RJ poured in 38+ fantasy points in three straight. That should be considered his baseline in this welcoming draw with the WOLVES.
POWER FORWARD
Isaiah Roby - Oklahoma City (vs. Toronto)
Roby could be popular tonight, but I still believe he’s worth a look in large-field tournaments. Simply put, the price is too cheap when considering a boost in playing time and usage with Bazley, Dort, and SGA out. The former Nebraska Cornhusker posted 42 FP last game, and I love his ability to produce in every statistical category - which really screams upside in blocks and steals over on FanDuel.
CENTER
Jakob Poeltl - San Antonio (vs. Sacramento)
There’s no lack of viable centers on tonight’s slate. Andre Drummond is cheap while starting for the Lakers tonight. Robert Williams and Kelly Olynyk are mid-range plays who have been on fire recently. I’m guessing they’ll take attention away from Jakob Poeltl, who has been pretty impressive himself with 40+ FP in back-to-back games. The Spurs need him to hold down the frontcourt, and this matchup vs. Sacramento (29th in d-eff to centers) looks great.
ALSO CONSIDER
Kevin Porter Jr. (SF - HOU) has been somewhat mediocre over his last two games, but he’s still seeing a full serving of minutes. His rates will come and go, but Porter should be able to bounce-back in a high-scoring tilt with Brooklyn. His upside would jump if John Wall (questionable) doesn’t play.
Alec Burks (SG - NYK) and Nerlens Noel (C - NYK) are a few more NYK players to consider in this fantastic matchup with the Wolves. If Derrick Rose is out, Burks will be asked to step up once again. Noel falls into similar rationale as Poelt, where he might be overlooked despite a nice draw.
Pascal Siakam (PF - TOR) follows the path of his teammate, VanVleet. Both have legitimate 50+ FP upside in this solid matchup at OKC. Their recent game log will scare some people away, but this is a great spot for Siakam, VanVleet, or both to showcase their DFS upside.
