When preparing for an NBA DFS slate, I try to find players who aren’t as highly owned. However, for Wednesday night there are some star players who have great matchups. If you can find room to put these pricier plays in your lineup, it can help you make money in your tournaments. Along with three pricey plays, here are three underrated and less expensive players.
This is the most expensive play of the day, but it could be worth it. The Portland Trail Blazers have been playing atrocious defense. Their season average of 114.2 points per game allowed is up to 124.2 in the last 10 games. Murray is a well-rounded player for DFS. It’s not as much about his points scored, but it’s the combination of points, rebounds, assists and steals. Since February, Murray is averaging 24.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 2.2 steals. Against a struggling defense in Portland, it could be worth the $50.
The Orlando Magic are on the second leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday night. Orlando has been a bottom-10 defense all year and now it’s getting one of the hottest players in the league. Since Feb. 24, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists. He should be able to take advantage of a tired Orlando defense that just had to face Golden State on Tuesday night.
The Atlanta Hawks are also on the second leg of a back-to-back after the Trae Young revenge game at Madison Square Garden. The 2021 Knicks are the least of the Hawks’ worries as Atlanta’s defense is the ninth worst in the NBA, allowing 112.1 PPG. In the last six second legs of back-to-backs, the Hawks’ defense is allowing shooting guards to average 26.8 points. Cade Cunningham has been playing really well of late, averaging 22.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.9 assists since March 1.
It was announced on Tuesday night that Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic will miss this game with right ankle soreness. There was already a stretch this season when Jalen Brunson averaged 21 points and 7.4 assists in 10 games without Doncic. On March 5, Doncic didn’t play and Brunson put up 23 points with six assists. Houston also has the worst defense in the NBA, allowing 118.2 PPG.
Along with the handicap of the Rockets being the worst defense in the NBA, Dorian Finney-Smith has been a very underrated player in DFS and the props market. He’s averaging 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in the month of March. He’s just a consistent, less expensive option that can save you money for a higher priced player.