This might only be a five-game NBA slate, but it is jam-packed with star power.
We’ve got Nikola Jokic ($12,300). We’ve got Luka Doncic ($11,000). We’ve got Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,700). Needless to say, it’s going to be difficult to pick who exactly you want in your DraftKings lineups.
Here are three of my favorite DFS plays for Thursday evening.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
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C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks, $12,300
It’s a Jokic night. I mean, it’s honestly been a Jokic month. Dating back to February 1, Jokic is averaging a triple-double, with 27.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game. It’s a stretch of 10 games where the former MVP has exceeded 65 FPTS eight times. Heck, his only performance under 50 FPTS came on February 22 against the Lakers, a contest where Jokic didn’t play his usual allotment of minutes in a rare blowout loss for the Nuggets. That shouldn’t be the case this evening, with Denver squaring-off versus a healthy, yet middling Bucks team. For 2024-25 as a whole, Jokic is producing a league-best 1.80 FPTS per minute. In February, he’s been even better, registering 1.83 FPTS per minute. The man is a fantasy machine.
SG/SF Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $6,800
I’m not sure how much longer Beal will be priced below $7,000, but I’m going to keep taking advantage — especially when he’s in a matchup with the defensively-challenged Pelicans. Phoenix is currently in desperation mode and is throwing anything at the wall to see what sticks. Specific to Beal, that’s meant re-insertion into the starting lineup across the past three games, a span where Beal is averaging 40.8 minutes, which is the second-highest mark in the entire NBA. This hasn’t been empty volume, either. Beal has actually scored at least 24 points in five of his last six contests, culminating in a massive 55.25 FPTS performance on Tuesday against the Grizzlies. A repeat showing would be asking a lot, but I have faith that Beal can do some serious damage on Thursday, as New Orleans is surrendering second-most FPTS per game to opposing shooting guards this season. Stay hot.
PF Bol Bol, Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $4,900
This doesn’t have to be too complex. The fact of the matter is, if Bol Bol draws another start on Thursday, he’s viable. It’s that simple. First and foremost, as referenced above, this is a fantastic game environment, carrying this slate’s second-highest implied total. I doubt we’ll be flirting with 300 points like the Suns were 48 hours ago, but who knows? Secondly, Bol has been as consistent as you could ask for when called upon to shoulder a large role this season. In the five games where the 25-year-old has logged at least 20 minutes (three starts), he’s averaging 36.5 FPTS. That includes Tuesday’s loss to Memphis, where Bol managed 39.0 FPTS in 31.4 minutes of action. Make sure to keep a close eye when Phoenix announces its starters this evening.
