There are seven NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
None of the teams in action played on Wednesday. CHI, GSW, SAC and SAS all play on Friday.
As for injuries, Josh Giddey, Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones, Yves Missi, Malcolm Brogdon, Gradey Dick, Precious Achiuwa, Cameron Payne and Ty Jerome are questionable. Victor Wembanyama, Kevin Durant, LaMelo Ball, Jusuf Nurkic, Coby White, Kyle Kuzma, Tre Mann, Corey Kispert and Kyshawn George is out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are two double-digit favorites: DAL -12 on the road over WAS and NYK -15 at home over CHA. There are two games within 3 points: SAS -2 at home over CHI and PHO -1 on the road over NOP. There are four games with a total of at least 230: DEN/CLE (234.5), DAL/WAS (233.5), SAC/MEM (242) and CHI/SAS (232.5). There are two games with a total below 220: CHA/NYK (216.5) and PHO/NOP (218.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $250K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors ($10,100): Shai is one of the preeminent bucket getters in the NBA. His ability to change directions is second to none. He got off to a “cold” start to start the season, though, putting up sub-50 FPTS in eight of those contests. He did have a high of 76.75 FPTS. In the 11 games since, he’s gone over 50 FPTS in all but two, with two over 60 and a high of 77.75 FPTS. He is locked in right now, and while Luka Doncic can access the higher ceiling at 90 to 100 FPTS, he hasn’t gone over 70 yet this season. Meanwhile, Shai has two 70-FPTS games. In addition, the Mavericks play the Wizards and there’s a high probability that Doncic doesn’t play a full complement of minutes.
Other Options: Luka Doncic ($11,200), Devin Booker ($9,400), Donovan Mitchell ($8,800), Brandon Miller ($8,500), Darius Garland ($7,400),
Value
Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies ($6,700): Monk missed seven games in mid-November. In his return, he played only 26 minutes. In the next one, though, he received 35 minutes and put up 53 FPTS. Two nights later, he played 36 minutes and contributed 51.75 FPTS. That prompted Mike Brown to slide Monk into the starting lineup. Since then, Monk has played 37 and 35 minutes, contributing 42.25 and 43 FPTS. The beautiful thing with Monk is that he’s not just scoring, but playmaking as well, dishing out 12, six, nine, and nine assists. That provides a nice floor and potential for ceiling.
Other Options: Chris Paul ($5,900), Mikal Bridges ($5,700), Christian Braun ($5,500), Grayson Allen ($5,400), Ayo Dosunmu ($5,300), Devin Vassell ($5,000), Stephon Castle ($4,900), Spencer Dinwiddie ($4,700), Carlton Carrington ($4,600), KJ Simpson ($3,700)
Forward
Stud
P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks at Washington Wizards ($6,800): Over the last seven games, Washington put up over 40 FPTS in four contests. On the season, he has a high of 55.75 FPTS. The game environment should be a good one for him, as the Wizards are dead-last in defensive efficiency while playing at the fourth-fastest pace. Washington contributes a little something in every statistical category, which provides a decent floor.
Other Options: Jalen Williams ($8,700), Brandon Miller ($8,500), Josh Hart ($6,700)
Value
Isaac Jones, Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies ($3,200): With Trey Lyles out, Jones has filled the void admirably. Over the last four games, he’s played 21, 20, 19, and 18 minutes, contributing 15.75, 11.5, 21.5 and 18 FPTS. At 6-foot-9, 245 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Jones has the strength and girth to hold his own in the paint while possessing the ability to guard on the perimeter. Any semblance of ceiling is capped because he won’t see more than 20 minutes, but for the price, the production has been decent.
Other Options: Jeremy Sochan ($6,000), Mikal Bridges ($5,700), Santi Aldama ($5,500), Christian Braun ($5,500), Julian Champagnie ($5,000), Royce O’Neale ($4,900), Matas Buzelis ($3,000), Sandro Mamukelashvili ($3,000)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers ($12,000): Is Jokic on the slate? Yes? Then it’s an auto-click. I don’t look at matchup or price. Ok, price is always an important variable, but Jokic is always in consideration because he’s the best fantasy player in existence. He has the highest floor/ceiling combo and is a threat to triple-double on any given night. He has only one sub-50 FPTS game this season, while going over 70 seven times with a high of 92 FPTS. L. O. L.
Other Options: Domantas Sabonis ($9,300), Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,000), Nikola Vucevic ($8,500), Isaiah Hartenstein ($7,600), Jakob Poeltl ($7,400)
Value
Zach Collins, San Antonio Spurs vs. Chicago Bulls ($3,500): With Wembanyama already ruled out, Collins will likely start and play minutes somewhere in the mid-20s. He’s averaging 1.07 FPTS per minute and, in three games that Wembanyama was out in mid-November, Collins played 26, 26, and 21 minutes to contribute 34.5, 29.25, and 24.75 FPTS. This game environment should be a fantasy-friendly one because the Bulls are 27th in defensive efficiency while playing at the second-fastest pace.
Other Options: Nick Richards ($5,800), Dereck Lively II ($5,500), Yves Missi ($5,100) if he plays, Mason Plumlee ($4,100), Isaac Jones ($3,200), Sandro Mamukelashvili ($3,000)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $250K Fadeaway [$50K 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.
