A five-game, ten-team NBA slate is on tap for basketball fans on Thursday. Among the matchups to watch, a Western Conference battle between the Rockets and the Grizzles in Memphis stands out. There’s plenty of ways to get in on the action with DraftKings NBA Pick6 fantasy basketball selections ahead of tonight’s matchups!
Zaccharie Risacher more than 9.5 points
Jalen Johnson is set to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, leaving the Hawks without their second-best player. In the forward’s absence, Atlanta head coach Quin Snyder has several options he can turn to off the bench. Among those in line for an increased role, Zaccharie Risacher makes the most sense. Drafted first overall during last summer’s draft, the 19-year-old has taken some time to adapt to the NBA. Through 40 games, he’s averaged 10.5 points on 40.0% shooting from the field.
The Frenchman isn’t a dominant scorer by any stretch, but he should get more touches on offense without Johnson. Thursday’s matchup against an elite Cavaliers team won’t be easy. Still, Risacher tallied 11 points in just 21 minutes when these two teams last met in November. With more time out on the floor, the rookie can make a significant impact tonight.
Jaxson Hayes more than 6.5 rebounds
Anthony Davis is set to miss at least a week due to an abdominal strain. The center’s absence leaves a massive void down low for the Lakers, who need all the help they can get around LeBron James. To fill out Los Angeles’ starting lineup, head coach JJ Redick will likely turn to Jaxson Hayes. The former first-round pick has recorded 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds over 16.3 minutes per game.
When given an opportunity, the seven-footer has put up solid numbers. Over eight career games played for the Lakers without Davis, Hayes has averaged 9.1 points and 7.6 rebounds. As if that wasn’t promising enough, the Lakers will get the pleasure of visiting the Wizards on Thursday. This season, Washington has allowed the most rebounds per game to opponents (57.0). Los Angeles’ backup big man is well-positioned for a terrific performance on the glass.
Jordan Poole more than 5.5 assists
The six-win Wizards can’t seem to do anything right. However, if there’s something Washington can hang its hat on, Jordan Poole’s improved play has been a bright spot. Through 38 games, the guard has posted 21.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and a team-leading 5.0 assists. There’s something to be said about inflated statistics on a bad team, but the 25-year-old is clearly playing with more confidence this season.
Thursday’s opponent, the Lakers, have struggled on defense. This season, Los Angeles is allowing the 11th-most points (114.3) and the seventh-most assists (27.5) per game to opponents. The Wizards should have an even easier time scoring with Anthony Davis (abdominal strain) out of action. Poole has gone over this assist total in each of his last three appearances; expect that trend to continue tonight.
Julius Randle more than 20.5 points
The enigma that is Julius Randle has seen his production take a hit this month. Over 15 outings in January, the power forward is averaging 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Those numbers, while good, represent a season-low. Still, at nearly 33.2 minutes per game, it’s only a matter of time until the three-time All-Star delivers a monster stat line.
Randle has reached 21 points just twice over his last nine games; if that’s to change, it would likely come tonight. This season, the Jazz have allowed 119.8 points per game to opponents, third-most in the NBA. Over his last eight meetings with Utah, Randle has reached 30 points five different times. Against a terrible defense, the bruising forward should find a way to deliver for Minnesota on Thursday.
Jalen Green more than 22.5 points
There’s no true ‘1A’ option on the Rockets, which makes their 32-14 start all the more impressive. If there’s anyone on Houston’s roster that can take over a game, it’s Jalen Green. The former second overall pick isn’t the most consistent player, but he leads the team with 21.3 points per game. For an offensively-challenged team, that level of scoring shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Houston’s opponent, the Grizzlies, play at the fastest pace in basketball. As a result, there’s usually plenty of possessions for both teams. Over three matchups vs. Memphis this season, Green is averaging 30.3 points. The guard has gone over 22 points in 11 of his last 14 appearances. Another stellar shooting night is likelier than not in this one.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope more than 1.5 three-pointers made
The Magic are finally healthy, having welcomed back stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner this month. Yet if Orlando wants to emerge as a threat in the Eastern Conference, it needs more production from the rest of the roster. That includes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, signed this summer after two years with the Nuggets. The 31-year-old has seen his numbers dip across the board, putting up 9.2 points on 41.5% shooting from the field (31.4 3PT%).
Those numbers are poor enough to scare most fantasy basketball managers away. However, KCP has been much better in January, averaging 10.3 points on 46.7% shooting (37.5 3PT%). Teams have shot 37.2% from three-point range against the Trail Blazers, the sixth-worst mark in basketball. With Banchero and Wagner drawing plenty of attention, Caldwell-Pope will have open looks from beyond the arc in Portland.
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