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It’s Easter Sunday and the main NBA slate on DraftKings will be a lot smaller than usual. Only four of the seven games set to take place will be part of the main slate, which will begin with a Memphis Grizzlies-Philadelphia 76ers matchup at 7:00 p.m. ET. It’ll be hard to find cheap options that stand out with such a limited player pool.
That being said, it is a great time to give you some value plays for your DFS contest. Unlike NFL DFS, where one pick can make or break your lineup or it’s tough to find quality low-tier value.
In NBA DFS, you can find quality value plays under $5K that can give you a quick 10 points off the bench, grab some rebounds, or stuff the stat sheet. It does not matter if you are playing a 50/50 or Double Up contest, we are going to provide you with three players that you need to put in your lineup.
James Johnson, New Orleans Pelicans, $4,300
Johnson’s fantasy valuer has skyrocketed over the last two games while Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram missed time with injuries. Both forwards are questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets and Johnson has averaged more than 32 DKFP during the duo’s pair of absences. Josh Hart is also out, so Wenyan Gabrial and Wes Iwundu are Johnson’s only backups at power forward. Both have considerably lower upside, though.
RJ Hampton, Orlando Magic, $3,600
Michael Carter-Williams (Illness) has been ruled out again and the Magic are about to face another one of the NBA’s best teams while extremely understaffed. Hampton put up 28 DKFP in 31 minutes his last time out during a blowout loss to the Utah Jazz. This matchup against the Denver Nuggets could be just as ugly. If the game is close, Hampton will play plenty alongside Chasson Randle ($4,700). If it’s not close, expect him to make an impact in garbage time while he gains experience.
Juan Toscano-Anderosn, Golden State Warriors, $3,400
JTA has fallen out of Golden State’s rotation lately but has a path back in. Draymond Green is questionable to play because of a finger injury. JTA has returned tremendous value when he gets minutes, and he’ll primarily be competing with Alen Smailagic ($3,000), who has played in five games this season, for minutes. If Green doesn't play and you need to take a cheap flier on a player, look no further than JTA.