If you’re trying to build some DraftKings lineups tonight, you’re going to need some players — preferably good ones. I’m here to help.
Here are three must-start NBA DFS picks for Thursday’s six-game slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
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PF Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls, $8,900
The Magic need to start winning games and that desperation has started to translate into some massive workloads and performances for Banchero. In Orlando’s past three contests, the former first-overall pick is averaging a whopping 38.3 minutes. It’s probably not a coincidence that this is the same stretch where Banchero has twice scored 41 points, including Tuesday’s loss to Toronto, where the forward added eight assists, eight rebounds and four steals for 73.5 FPTS. All of this is even more impressive when you consider that the Magic operate at the league’s second-slowest pace — though that might not be an issue on Thursday. The Bulls present an ideal matchup. They’re uptempo and awful at defense. For the season as a whole, Chicago is surrendering the fifth-most FPTS per game to opposing power forwards. If ever there was a night where Orlando might flirt with 120 points, it’s this evening. That obviously raises the ceiling of Banchero and Franz Wagner ($8,600). Act accordingly.
SG/SF Caris LeVert, Atlanta Hawks vs. Indiana Pacers, $5,300
The Hawks possess the Eastern Conference’s fastest pace (104.1), so it probably won’t come as a shock that the team tends to take part in high-scoring games. Still, this recent stretch seems particularly special. Atlanta’s last three contests have all gone over 245 points, which has coincided with a few great performances from LeVert. The wing has registered at least 20 points in all three and, overall, he’s averaging 37.9 FPTS in this span. LeVert has seen his role expand since being traded at the deadline. In his 10 games with the Hawks, the 30-year-old is putting up 16.8 points and taking an eye-popping 20.5 field goal attempts per 100 possessions. In layman terms, LeVert isn’t afraid of hunting his own shot. In a matchup with the Pacers that features by far the largest implied total on this slate, LeVert should keep the good times rolling at a decent price.
PG/SG Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics, $6,100
Meet Quentin Grimes. He’s the face of the 76ers’ new tanking scheme. Alright. That’s unfair to Grimes, who has proven himself to be a legitimate rotation player in the NBA. However, Grimes probably shouldn’t be a team’s No. 1 scoring option — and that’s been the case in Philadelphia’s last three games. Since March 1, Grimes is averaging 29.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 37.8 minutes. His 63.2% field goal rate will certainly not sustain much longer, yet Grimes’ 26.7% usage rate is more than enough volume to offset the coming drop in efficiency. His price tag is also only up $100 from Tuesday despite the fact that Grimes has registered 63.0 FPTS, 33.5 FPTS and 43.25 FPTS in his past three starts, respectively. With Tyrese Maxey (back) ruled out and Paul George ($7,600; groin) questionable, Grimes should once again get all the opportunity he can handle in Boston.
