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 13-game main slate starting at 7:00 ET.
POINT GUARD
Kyle Lowry - Miami (vs. Milwaukee)
Jimmy Butler is out again tonight, so we should see Lowry take on some serious usage. Butler has missed four of the last five games, and Lowry came through with 39 fantasy points in half of those. That’s a reasonable expectation tonight, and it helps that he’s facing a Milwaukee team that ranks 25th in defensive efficiency to point guards. The Bucks also rank top ten in pace, which could lead to more than usual opportunities for Lowry and company.
SHOOTING GUARD
Dillon Brooks - Memphis (vs. Dallas)
There’s plenty to like with Brooks tonight, and we can start with his non-imposing salary. Ja Morant will continue to miss time for the Grizzlies, which opens the door for Brooks to carry the scoring load. He has translated that into fantasy success with 33+ FP in three of his last five. That’s despite having curbed minutes in several blowouts. I’m expecting Brooks to have a full workload in this competitive battle with Dallas, which should raise his fantasy ceiling.
SMALL FORWARD
Kelly Oubre Jr. - Charlotte (vs. Philadelphia)
I understand that Oubre Jr. will be extremely popular tonight. However, I believe he’s “good chalk” who can be utilized in tournaments. After all, Oubre came through with 60 fantasy points on Monday against the same Philadelphia team he’ll see tonight. The Charlotte forward will continue to hold a heavy usage rate with Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball sidelined. Fade him at your own risk.
POWER FORWARD
Isaiah Stewart - Detroit (vs. Washington)
Stewart is still way too cheap. He let us down with a tough game on Monday, but let’s keep in mind that the Detroit forward came through with 35+ FP in two prior outings. He should get back to that level against a Washington team that ranks 27th in defensive efficiency to power forwards. A 30+ minute role with 35-40 fantasy point upside is very much in the picture.
CENTER
Richuan Holmes - Sacramento (vs. Orlando)
You already know the deal with Holmes, as his production has been all over the place this season. That keeps his salary at bay despite holding 40-45+ FP upside. That’s basically why Holmes keeps popping up in this article series. We could see Holmes’ good side tonight, as the matchup looks good against an Orlando team that ranks 25th in defensive efficiency to centers and 21st in rebound rate.
ALSO CONSIDER
Lonzo Ball (PG - CHI) could be underrated on this 13-game slate. He has strong upside due to heavy minutes and the ability to produce in every category. The matchup at Cleveland is ripe for the picking, and it helps that teammate DeMar DeRozan will not play tonight.
Franz Wagner (SF - ORL) and Wendell Carter Jr. (PF - ORL) are a few other interesting mid-range picks on this slate. Sacramento ranks near the bottom in team defensive efficiency while ranking fourth in pace and 26th in rebound rate. This creates matchup potential for all the Orlando regulars. Wagner and Carter have been producing at a high clip as of late, and this is a great spot to expect more.
