There are seven NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
CLE, DET, POR and TOR are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Paolo Banchero, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, Dennis Schroder, Daniel Gafford and Moses Moody are questionable. Tari Eason, Josh Richardson and Kevin Love are doubtful. Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Kuminga are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there is one double-digit favorite: CLE -14.5 over TOR. There is one game within 3 points: DET -3 over GS. There are three games with a spread of 3.5 points. There is one game with a total of at least 230: ATL/PHO (238.5). There is one game with a total below 220: MIN/ORL (207). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies ($7,100): There was a time when Thompson was $4K. Now he’s cracked through the $7K ceiling for the first time this season. And he may still be too cheap. Over the last two games, he’s put up 52.25 and 49 FPTS. Memphis is a different animal than the Wizards and Lakers for sure, but Thompson has played 41 minutes in both contests and he contributes across the board. Can I get an Amen?!
Other Options: Trae Young ($10,300), Cade Cunningham ($10,200), Devin Booker ($9,000), Stephen Curry ($8,700), Dyson Daniels ($7,400), Darius Garland ($7,300), Anfernee Simons ($6,700)
Value
Quentin Grimes, Dallas Mavericks vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($5,700): Grimes has an 18.4% usage rate on the season. He’s had a usage rate of over 21% in each of the last five games. Luka Doncic has been out for all while Kyrie Irving missed four. Both remain out. Grimes has dished out six dimes in each of the last three games while scoring over 20 points in two of those contests. Portland is 26th in defensive efficiency.
Other Options: Cole Anthony ($5,800) if he starts, Donte DiVincenzo ($5,000), Jaden Hardy ($4,200), Duncan Robinson ($4,100), Buddy Hield ($3,600)
Forward
Stud
Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons vs. Golden State Warriors ($6,300): As with Grimes above, Harris has benefitted from an injury. With Jaden Ivey out, the usage rate has also spiked and Harris has put up at least 30 FPTS in each of the last three games. This is more of a floor play, but Harris did put up 49 FPTS three games ago, so a ceiling outcome is within the range of outcomes.
Other Options: Kevin Durant ($9,200), Evan Mobley ($8,000), Amen Thompson ($7,100), PJ Washington ($6,900)
Value
Kyle Anderson, Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat ($3,400): Mr. Anderson is not the most exciting fantasy player. There’s a reason he’s called Slo Mo. That said, he’s just too cheap for the expected role and playing time. With Jonathan Kuminga out for a few weeks, Steve Kerr said that Anderson would likely see an uptick in playing time. He only received 16 minutes last game, but that was likely due to the 30-point spread. Mr. Anderson played 27 minutes last game and contributed 27.25 FPTS. That’s more like it.
Other Options: Quentin Grimes ($5,700), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5,300), Naji Marshall ($5,000), Nikola Jovic ($4,700)
Center
Stud
Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors ($6,400): I’m not crazy about the options up top at center. I’m not even crazy about Allen because of the risk of a blowout and decreased playing time are well within the range of outcomes. That said, he’s relatively cheap and has a 50-FPTS upside, something he did three games ago. Over the last five games, Allen has put up at least 40 FPTS in three while playing fewer than 30 minutes in three of those contests.
Other Options: Kevin Durant ($9,200), Alperen Sengun ($9,100), Evan Mobley ($8,000)
Value
Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat at Utah Jazz ($4,700): There is uncertainty about the role and playing time for Jovic, as he can play 20 minutes or 34 minutes. That said, with Jimmy Butler out, so he’s going to be involved. It’s just a matter of how much. He’s gone for over 30 FPTS in two of the last three games and gets a good matchup against a Jazz team that is dead last in defensive efficiency.
Other Options: Jalen Duren ($5,700), Zach Edey ($5,000)
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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.
