The Bucks are hosting the Clippers on Thursday and Antetokounmpo ($11,500, calf) is questionable.
Below, I break down my favorite value play from the Bucks if Antetokounmpo is out.
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SF/PF, Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Clippers, $6,500
Not only is Antetokounmpo questionable tonight, but Bobby Portis was just suspended by the NBA for the next 25 games for violating the league’s drug policy. The forward handles a huge role when Antetokounmpo is out, and if the superstar joins Portis on the inactive list, which feels likely, Kuzma will be asked to take on a massive workload. Antetekounmpo has missed six games in a row with a strained left calf, which is the exact injury that forced him to miss the end of last season, including all the playoffs. Milwaukee forcing him back quickly wouldn’t be a smart move, and him being active Thursday would be a surprise.
If Antetokounmpo is inactive as expected, Kuzma should see all the minutes he can handle and his usage rate should be one of the highest on the team. With both Antetokounmpo and Portis off the floor, Kuzma is handling a 24.7% usage rate, and he is scoring 1.1 FPTS per minute. The ex-Wizard is coming off a 42.75 FPTS outing across 39 minutes vs. the Timberwolves, and that was even with Portis active. Take the veteran out of the equation now and Kuzma will likely see over 40 minutes. While this matchup with the Clippers isn’t ideal, as they rank fourth in defensive efficiency, the elite role Kuzma will see if Antetokounmpo remains sidelined just isn’t reflected in his current salary, and he will have zero issues surpassing five-times value in that situation.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Return From Break Special [$100K to 1st]
