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 nine-game main slate starting at 7:00 ET.
POINT GUARD
Kyle Lowry - Miami (vs. Cleveland)
Lowry has really stepped things up with 39+ fantasy points in three of his last four games. Teammate Jimmy Butler is questionable tonight, and his absence would definitely boost Lowry’s usage rate. In my opinion, the Miami point guard is a strong mid-range pick regardless of Butler’s status. He can contribute in every statistical category, and the matchup looks good against a Cleveland team that ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency to point guards.
SHOOTING GUARD
Josh Giddey - Oklahoma City (vs. Houston)
Giddey’s salary has risen alongside his production, but I still believe he can represent strong fantasy value tonight. We would be looking for at least 30 fantasy points from Giddey, and he has topped that mark in six of his last eight games. A rematch with Houston gives him another chance to take advantage of a solid matchup against this Rockets team that ranks 22nd in defensive efficiency to shooting guards.
SMALL FORWARD
Josh Hart - New Orleans (vs. Dallas)
Hart is no stranger to this column series. He can score, grab double-digit rebounds, record five or more assists and snag a few steals/blocks along the way. You can get all of that for a conservative mid-range salary. Hart is technically questionable tonight, which will cause many DFS enthusiasts to avoid him. However, the matchup looks great against a Dallas team that ranks 22nd in defensive efficiency to small forwards. If Hart ends up playing, he’s a sneaky-good tournament choice.
POWER FORWARD
Aaron Gordon - Denver (at Orlando)
Nikola Jokic is back in the lineup, but I still believe there’s enough usage for Gordon to keep his hotstreak. There’s some motivation on Gordon’s side as well, as he’s visiting his former team in Orlando. The athletic power forward has secured 36+ fantasy points in three of his last five games. He’s seeing a ton of minutes (36-37) as well, and the matchup looks good against an Orlando team that ranks 26th in defensive efficiency to power forwards.
CENTER
Daniel Gafford - Washington (vs. Minnesota)
Gafford is one of those guys who won’t be as popular as he should be tonight. He’s heating up with 45, 37, and 30 fantasy points respectively over his last three games. Now Gafford will enjoy one of his best matchups of the season against a Minnesota club that ranks 27th in defensive efficiency to centers and 25th in rebound rate. We could see his 40+ fantasy point upside in this one.
ALSO CONSIDER
Garrison Mathews (SF - HOU) is a decent bargain filler who has been seeing starter minutes for the Rockets with Jalen Green out. The results? Not too shabby with a 25 FPPG mark over his last three.
PJ Washington (PF - CHA) is still too cheap when considering that he’s back to a 30+ minute role. He has legitimate 35-40+ FP upside, and that could be on display against a Milwaukee team that ranks 22nd in defensive efficiency to power forwards.
