jason mezrahi 
In this column, I’ll highlight five NBA DFS 2/26 difference-makingplays in GPPs, from studs with a huge upside to value plays who could hit8x-10x.
These are risky plays who won’t always make the most sense forcash game builds, so buyer beware!
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NBA DFS 2/26 — PG
De’Anthony Melton, MEM (@ HOU) – DK $4,000
The main draw toward Melton in this matchup is necessity – both for the Grizzlies and our salary purposes in DFS. Somebody has to defend these Rockets guards, and Melton – standing just 6-3 but sporting a wingspan over 6-8 – is a well-known defensive commodity who sometimes plays big minutes for the Grizzlies when needed. The entire Grizzlies rotation is depleted, so we can look for a full game stack in this one, with two or three players from each side. If you’re more interested in other games on this slate, then Spencer Dinwiddie (PG/SG/G/UTIL) is a viable spend-up option in a favorable matchup at Washington.
Pivot/Stack: Spencer Dinwiddie/Russell Westbrook
NBA DFS 2/26 — SG
James Harden, HOU (vs. MEM) – DK $11,300
Harden’s shot has been heating up, and he’s got a legitimate 80-point upside tonight. If you’re unsure about Westbrook’s sore thumb, then he’s an even safer play. On a night with five (5!) NBA games featuring Vegas totals of 229 and up, the Houston-Memphis game comes in at the highest: 237.5. There is some blowout concern, but we could see massive raw scoring and value in this game if we’re fearless. Non-believers can pivot to Jimmy Butler (make sure he’s playing) in a revenge game vs. the T-Wolves, or play one of the much cheaper but still high-priced, high-upside SG available, including Devin Booker (the Suns have already ruled out Kelly Oubre, which helps his usage rate) or Bradley Beal in a plus matchup vs. the Nets.
Pivots: Bradley Beal/Devin Booker
NBA DFS 2/26 — SF
Robert Covington, HOU (vs. MEM) – DK $6,200
The price on Covington keepsincreasing, but I just love what he brings to this Houston team on both ends ofthe floor, and he’ll be active tonight in what should be the highest-paced gameof the slate. We can find some value to stack on the Memphis side with either theversatile but frustrating Dillon Brooks (SG/SF/G/F/UTIL) as a large-field GPPrisk-reward play or Josh Jackson (SF/PF/F/UTIL), forced into bigger minuteswith the injuries to Brandon Clarke and Jaren Jackson, Jr. The chalkier pivotwill probably be Tobias Harris, especially on FanDuel where he’s just $6,600,or Gordon Hayward against his old team the Jazz – if you’re into the revenge narrative.
Pivots/Value:Tobias Harris or Gordon Hayward/Dillon Brooks or Josh Jackson
NBA DFS 2/26 — PF
Aaron Gordon, ORL (@ ATL) – DK $7,800
Gordon makes for an interesting GPP play tonight because of his high price (up to $1,800 from just $5,900 on DK at the start of February) and 60-point upside in this matchup. The Hawks have a very difficult time containing versatile forwards like Gordon, so we could see a ceiling game from him tonight. He’s far from a sure thing to hit even 6x, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take given his recent floor. We can stack up bargain option DeAndre Hunter, who’s been playing through an ankle injury but keeps cranking out 30-point DK performances or spend up to Julius Randle in a plus matchup against the woeful Hornets.
Pivots: Julius Randle/DeAndreHunter
NBA DFS 2/26 — C
Jakob Poeltl, SA (vs. DAL) – DK $3,200
With LaMarcus Aldridge out for tonight, I’ll likely alternatemy Poeltl ownership with San Antonio PF Trey Lyles under the assumption that onlyone of the two will go off. Poeltl and Lyles both have 10x upside tonight, so I’llhave shares of both in GPPs. I originally was going to recommend JonasValanciunas here, but it’s entirely possible that he doesn’t see that much timeon the floor with the Rockets running a slew of shorter, faster forwards outthere instead of an actual five-man. JV is worth a shot in low-stakes multi-entry,but I’m wary of Gorgui Dieng getting big minutes as he’s more of a viable PF/Cthan a classic big. If you fade Julius Randle, then Mitchell Robinson is a worthwhileoption, but playing both rarely seems to work out, even against a team that’s asterrible at defending bigs as the Hornets.
