We’ve got an itty-bitty three-game NBA slate on Thursday. Chicago and San Antonio played last night. Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Portland play on Friday as well.
As for injuries, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lauri Markkanen, Shaedon Sharpe and Jordan Clarkson are questionable. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Milwaukee is -9 at home over Utah with a 229 total. San Antonio is -4 at home over Portland with a 216.5 total. Minnesota is -6.5 on the road over Chicago with a 225 total.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st].
Guard
Stud
Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($6,900) – After a slow start to the season, Paul has picked it up over the last three games, putting up over 40 FPTS in each contest. He’s played 32, 32, and 33 minutes and dished out 10, 13, and 10 dimes.
Other Options – Damian Lillard ($9,500), Anthony Edwards ($9,300), Anfernee Simons ($7,500), Keyonte George ($6,400)
Value
AJ Green, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Utah Jazz ($4,100) – The range of outcomes is extremely wide for Green. He will either play three minutes or over 30. There is no middle. I lean towards closer to 30 due to his ability to space the floor. On Monday, Green shot 7-of-9 from the field and grabbed six rebounds, good for 33 FPTS. He likely won’t replicate that efficiency, but the game environment should be a good one as Utah is 22nd in defensive efficiency and seventh in pace.
Other Options – Toumani Camara ($5,100), Donte DiVincenzo ($4,900), Stephon Castle ($4,400)
Forward
Stud
John Collins, Utah Jazz at Milwaukee Bucks ($6,500) – Collins has had an interesting season. The meat of it has consisted of 30 FPTS despite his playing time ranging from 19 to 28 minutes. The two pieces of bread in our analogy have been complete opposite ends of the spectrum. In the opener, Collins played 18 minutes and finished with 20.25 FPTS. On Monday, Collins played 31 minutes and put up 55.25 FPTS.
Other Options – Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,100), Julius Randle ($8,200), Bobby Portis ($6,800) if Giannis is out, Jerami Grant ($6,700)
Value
Cody Williams, Utah Jazz at Milwaukee Bucks ($3,900) – With the injuries for Utah, Williams played 30 minutes on Monday, contributing 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal. He has the skill set to contribute across the board on a nightly basis, but his lack of aggression hurts him at times. That said, he should play around 30 minutes and, if Markkanen is out, Williams may be asked to do a little more on offense. The price is palatable for the expected playing time.
Other Options – Naz Reid ($5,600), Toumani Camara ($5,100), Stephon Castle ($4,400)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($10,500) – Wembanyama is shooting only 42% from the field and 22% from downtown, and his fantasy production has been all over the map. With that said, he has a ceiling that few can match due to his ability to stuff the stat sheet. On Monday, Wembanyama went for 24 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, nine blocks and three steals, good for 70.25 FPTS.
Other Options – Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,100), Nikola Vucevic ($8,500), Julius Randle ($8,200), Bobby Portis ($6,800) if Giannis is out, John Collins ($6,500), Walker Kessler ($6,100)
Value
Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls ($5,600) – Naz doesn’t start and likely won’t play over 26 minutes, but he will likely end up in the high-20 FPTS range with 40-FPTS upside, something he’s done twice this season already. The Bulls are playing at the fastest pace in the league, so there should be plenty of opportunities for fantasy goodies.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
