3 Under-the-Radar Daily Fantasy Basketball Plays for 2/24/17
Rudy Gobert, C, Utah Jazz
FanDuel Price: $7,600
Why He Will Go Overlooked:
There are plenty of center options to like on tonight's 10-game slate, so with Rudy Gobert in just a so-so matchup on paper, he probably won't be popular.
Why You Should Use Him:
Gobert has been remarkably consistent recently, double-doubling in 7 of his past 10 games, a stretch during which he averaged 14.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and 35.3 FanDuel points. He topped 30 FanDuel in all 10 of those games and displayed plenty of upside -- half of those contests went for 35-plus FanDuel points.
He will look to continue his recent string of production against the Milwaukee Bucks, who have done a decent job of containing opposing centers offensively, but Gobert's fantasy game doesn't rely much on his offensive abilities. Instead, he has accrued 60.7% of his FanDuel points via rebounds and blocked shots.
Milwaukee has struggled against opposing bigs in both categories, which offers exciting upside for Gobert. The Bucks rank 21st in rebounding rate as a team, but have really struggled to keep opponents off the offensive glass, ranking 27th in defensive rebounding rate. Gobert's 12.6 boards per game ranks fifth in the NBA, but he's been especially proficient on the offensive glass, posting the league's third-highest mark (3.9 offensive rebounds per game).
What Gobert is best known for is his incredible shot-blocking ability -- he leads the league with 2.5 blocks per game. Just six teams have had more shots turned away per game than Milwaukee this season, which should come as no surprise considering they lead the league with 36.6% of their shots coming from within three feet.
If they dare attack the rim that frequently against the Stifle Tower, we could see Gobert post some gaudy block totals.
Given his incredible consistency over the past month, Gobert is safe to deploy in cash games. His potential for huge numbers in the rebounding and shot-blocking department give him the upside to crush value at his salary, also making him an excellent tournament option.
