There are 13 NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are two double-digit favorites: BOS -15 over CHI and HOU -10.5 over NOP. There are two games within 3 points: MEM -3 over GSW and SAS -1 over ATL. There are four games with a total of at least 230: CHI/BOS (243.5), GSW/MEM (236), ATL/SAS (233.5) and IND/PHO (236). There are three games below 220: OKC/ORL (209.5), BKN/TOR (219) and NOP/HOU (217.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards ($9,900): Ball has three games over 60 FPTS this season, with one of those a 75.75-explosion in which he scored 50 points and dished out 10 dimes. Now he gets to face the Washington Wizards, a team that is fourth in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency. The spread is only four points so there’s a good chance Ball sees close to 40 minutes in this one.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($9,800), Devin Booker ($9,500), Trae Young ($9,400), Stephen Curry ($9,300), RJ Barrett ($9,200), Anthony Edwards ($9,100), Jaylen Brown ($8,500), Tyrese Haliburton ($8,400), Jordan Poole ($7,300), Derrick White ($6,900), Dyson Daniels ($6,400), Chris Paul ($6,300), Jalen Green ($6,200)
Value
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors ($5,400): If Ja Morant is out, then Scotty Pippen Jr. is the play. If Morant suits up, then I like Simmons. With Dennis Schroder now in Golden State, Simmons was the defacto point guard for the Nets and played a season-high 31 minutes on Monday. He finished with 28 FPTS on 10 points, four rebounds, eight assists and two steals. The offensive prowess is always a question mark for Simmons, but there is no denying his ability to contribute in every statistical category.
Other Options: Gradey Dick ($6,000), Payton Pritchard ($5,900), Amen Thompson ($5,600), Jordan Clarkson ($5,500), Carlton Carrington ($5,500), Julian Champagnie ($5,400), Jrue Holiday ($5,300), Devin Vassell ($5,200), Stephon Castle ($5,000), TJ McConnell ($5,000), Malik Beasley ($4,900), Andrew Nembhard ($4,500), Scotty Pippen Jr. ($4,000) if Morant is out
Forward
Stud
Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards ($6,200): Bridges missed 10 games due to injury. He has played two games since returning to action and received 25 and 28 minutes. He went for over 30 FPTS in each. There’s a chance he gets up to 30 minutes, which would be a bonanza since the Wizards play fast and are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. The price and matchup are too good to ignore.
Other Options: Jayson Tatum ($10,100), RJ Barrett ($9,200), Kevin Durant ($9,000), Jaylen Brown ($8,500), Jalen Johnson ($8,400), Julius Randle ($7,700), John Collins ($7,400), Cameron Johnson ($7,100), Lauri Markkanen ($6,700), Jeremy Sochan ($6,700), Andrew Wiggins ($6,600)
Value
Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers at Phoenix Suns ($4,700): Since the calendar flipped to December, Toppin has been in an FPTS-giving mood, providing over 20 FTPS in all with four over 30 and a high of 41.5 FPTS. He’s averaged 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.3 treys in 22.3 minutes while shooting 59% from the field and 43% from downtown.
Other Options: Bilal Coulibaly ($5,700), Amen Thompson ($5,600), Royce O’Neale ($5,500), De’Andre Hunter ($5,500), Julian Champagnie ($5,400), Alex Sarr ($5,400), Devin Vassell ($5,200), Malik Beasley ($4,900), Jonathan Mogbo ($4,900), Ausar Thompson ($4,400)
Center
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves ($10,200): You know Towns is going to be amped for this one, as it will be the first time playing the Timberwolves since getting traded. This game will also be played in Minnesota. That said, even without that extra energy oomph, Towns has been one of the best fantasy players regardless. Over the last four games, he’s put up over 50 FPTS in each with two over 60. Towns should get plenty of open looks from downtown in this one.
Other Options: Victor Wembanyama ($10,700), Kevin Durant ($9,000), Alperen Sengun ($8,800), Julius Randle ($7,700), John Collins ($7,400), Ivica Zubac ($7,100), Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,800), Myles Turner ($6,700), Walker Kessler ($6,500)
Value
Kelly Olynyk, Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets ($5,500): There are so many good, cheap options at center tonight. Jalen Duren should play over 30 minutes with Isaiah Stewart unlikely to go. Clint Capela could see a few extra minutes with Onyeka Okongwu ruled out. But I’m going with Olynyk with Jakob Poeltl out. There’s a risk for sure, as Olynyk has only played four games since returning to action and only received around 13 minutes in those contests. I think he gets into the 20s, though, and he averages a respectable 1.13 FPTS per minute.
Other Options: Yves Missi ($5,500), Jalen Duren ($5,500), Kelly Olynyk ($5,500), Alex Sarr ($5,400), Clint Capela ($5,300), Jonathan Mogbo ($4,900), Obi Toppin ($4,700)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K 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.
