Bryan Armetta breaks down Thursday’s five-game NBA slate to find undervalued players to slot into your lineups.
Injuries and ever-changing rotations are the only guarantee in the NBA, which makes finding value in DFS contests a difficult task. Yet, if you look close enough, there’s plenty of hidden gems available to slot into your lineups. Here are three players from Thursday’s slate that are being slept on.
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PG/SG Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers ($5,800)
The roller coaster ride that is Scoot Henderson never stops. The former number two pick is the ultimate wild card, equally capable of brilliance and misery on any given night. This is perfectly summed up in the guard’s last two appearances: a Saturday night debacle vs. the Heat (12.75 FPTS) and a phenomenal performance vs. the Nets on Tuesday (59.0 FPTS). On paper, this doesn’t sound like the kind of player you want to back, even if the upside is sky-high. However, with forward Deni Advija (ankle) doubful to play, there should be plenty of touches available on Thursday.
The Clippers’ defense shouldn’t be taken lightly; they’ve given up the fifth-fewest points to opponents (107.8). However, Henderson has averaged 17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists over five career matchups with Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard (rest) has already been ruled out, so there should be room for the 20-year-old to operate on offense. The cost is pricier than some might prefer, but there’s a lot to like about Henderson if he enters the starting lineup tonight.
SF/PF Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons ($4,500)
From the moment they were drafted, the Thompson twins seemed destined to become elite defenders. Through just two seasons, that’s already come to fruition. Although Amen has gotten more attention in Houston, don’t sleep on Ausar. The 21-year-old missed the first month of the season due to blood clots, and the Pistons have wisely opted to play it safe with his workload. Since Jaden Ivey suffered a broken fibula on January 1st, it appears that the wing’s role have begun to ramp up. Thompson has averaged 26.9 FPTS in just over 22 minutes of play, starting each of Detroit’s last four contests.
This budding young star isn’t an automatic start just yet, but he does have value in the right matchup. The Pacers are giving up the ninth-most points to opponents (116.9) and the fourth-most DK fantasy points to small forwards. It’s difficult to figure out head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s rotations, but Indiana’s fast pace should ensure plenty of possessions. As long as Thompson’s playing time falls somewhere between 20-30 minutes, he’s capable of making a big impact in your fantasy lineups.
PF/C Oso Ighodaro, Phoenix Suns ($3,700)
Let’s go with a true long-shot play to close out the list. Drafted in the second round of last year’s draft, Oso Ighodaro has shown some flashes recently. The center’s season-long statistics don’t stand out (4.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG), but a new-look Suns lineup could lead to more production going forward. During his last four games, the Marquette product has played just over 24 minutes, averaging 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks during that time.
Those numbers aren’t Earth-shattering, but they do suggest the 22-year old has a role in Phoenix, especially with Jusuf Nurkic falling out of the rotation. As far as tonight goes, this could be the perfect storm for the big man. The Wizards are giving up the fourth-most points in the paint to opponents (50.9) and the second-most DK fantasy points to centers. While veteran Mason Plumlee will likely start, there should be plenty of minutes to go around. That’s especially true if this game gets out of hand, as contests with Washington often do. I don’t love banking on blowouts, but Ighodaro should get most of the work down low in the second half.
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