NBA GPP Pivots: Wednesday 3/20
Welcome to the NBA GPP Pivots article, where we’ll be looking to uncover some sneaky-good DFS plays on FanDuel and DraftKings. 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 popular picks 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.
With that, let’s dive into tonight’s main slate starting at 7:00 ET.
POINT GUARD
Goran Dragic – Miami (at San Antonio)
Dragic is coming off an outstanding 55 fantasy point effort at Oklahoma City on Monday. Is that a one-time thing or a sign of things to come? It’s nice to see that Dragic’s minutes are increasing closer to 30 while working his way back from injury. After Monday’s outburst, I wouldn’t be surprised if the playing time continues to ascend. Miami needs him to step up with Justise Winslow and Rodney McGruder out, which will be the case again tonight. The matchup looks great against a San Antonio team that ranks 24th in defensive efficiency to point guards, and Dragic remains cheap following his stint of limited minutes while working back from injury.
SHOOTING GUARD
DeMar DeRozan – San Antonio (vs Miami)
I remember four or five years ago when DFS enthusiasts were scrambling at shooting guard. Now the position has an abundance of options, and tonight is no different. Most people will be looking towards headline picks like James Harden, Bradley Beal, Luka Doncic, or even Donovan Mitchell in an appealing draw. I’m thinking DeRozan will have a lower-than-deserved ownership rate despite holding plenty of momentum with 49+ fantasy points in four of his past seven. The matchup looks good too against a Miami team that ranks 21st in defensive efficiency to shooting guards.
SMALL FORWARD
Moe Harkless – Portland (vs Dallas)
In case you missed it, CJ McCollum will miss some time with a knee injury. The Blazers played their first game without him on Monday, and Harkless stepped up with a well-rounded line totaling 31 fantasy points in 26 minutes vs Indiana. That could be his baseline moving forward while seeing more opportunities with McCollum sidelined. Harkless will continue to see around 30 minutes of action, making him an intriguing bargain in DFS.
POWER FORWARD
Lauri Markkanen – Chicago (vs Washington)
Markkanen went through a brutal cold-spell while producing no more than 19 fantasy points in three straight games. He came through with an acceptable 35 FP outing at Phoenix on Monday, and hopefully that gets him going. Markkanen’s salary has fallen in the wake of those inconsistencies, creating an interesting buy-low opportunity. The matchup looks good too, facing a Washington team that ranks dead last in defensive efficiency to opposing power forwards. As if that wasn’t enough, Markkanen could be looking at more usage with Otto Porter Jr doubtful and Zach LaVine questionable.
CENTER
Al Horford – Boston (at Philadelphia)
If you have been reading this article throughout the season, then you already know about the “injury tag” strategy. Horford is listed as probable tonight, but he still has a “GTD” icon next to his name on FanDuel. That will cause many people to scroll past his name without even giving it a second thought. Let’s not forget about Horford’s capable upside for a moderate mid-range salary. The Boston big man is coming off a nice 41 FP effort on Monday, and he posted 51 FP the last time he faced Philadelphia – who he’ll see tonight.
ALSO CONSIDER
Dwyane Wade – Miami (at San Antonio)
As mentioned earlier, Winslow and McGruder will be sidelined for Miami. That was the case last game, where Dragic and Wade really stepped up in the backcourt. Wade ended up with 41 FP to go along with Dragic’s surprising 55 FP performance. I’m not expecting 96 fantasy points between the two tonight, but both of them could plausibly reach value again. Facing a San Antonio team that ranks 21st in defensive efficiency to opposing backcourts should help.
Danuel House – Houston (at Memphis)
Don’t look now, but House has been producing for the Rockets. He’s averaging a consistent 32 fantasy points and 24 fantasy points over his last three games, which represents solid return with a DFS salary near minimum thresholds. House has carved out a nice role in the Houston rotation, and that should keep translating to value against a Memphis team that ranks 26th in defensive efficiency to small forwards.
