On tap for Thursday is a five-game slate. Below, I dive into three of my favorite DFS options to consider for tonight’s NBA action.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Network app. You also can follow DK Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
PG/SG, Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, $9,100
Editor’s Note: Lakers PG/SG Austin Reaves (ankle) has been ruled out for tonight’s game vs. the Bucks.
Reaves has been on fire with LeBron James (groin) and Rui Hachimura (knee) sidelined, scoring at least 46 FPTS in four straight games. Both James and Hachimura remain out tonight and with those two starters off the court this season, Reaves is producing 1.3 FPTS per minute, thanks to his usage and assist rates increasing 3.5 and 5.9 percentage points, respectively.
The Bucks rank 11th in defensive efficiency this season, but they had always had major issues slowing down opposing guards since trading for Damian Lillard a few years ago. Plus, Reaves faced Milwaukee exactly a week ago and he finished with 43 FPTS. Reaves has even better upside this time around with tonight’s rematch taking place on his home floor and Reaves is one of the best lucrative players to roster for this five-game slate.
UPDATE: Luka Doncic (ankle) will not play Thursday per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and with Doncic and James both unavailable, Reaves becomes the best option on the slate. Since the Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Doncic last month, Reaves has played two games with both Doncic and James inactive and Reaves destroyed his opponents for 73.1 FPTS per game with a massive 35.9% usage rate. With James, Doncic and Davis off the court this season, Reaves is scoring 1.6 FPTS per minute.
SG/SF, Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets, $6,200
Bridges was just priced up to $6,500 two games ago and he is a terrific value at only $6,200 tonight. The Knicks are going against a tanking Hornets team that ranks 27th in defensive rating since the All-Star break and Jalen Brunson (ankle) remains out for New York.
Bridges has made seven starts sans Brunson this season and Bridges is scoring 34.3 FPTS in 37.7 minutes per game in those contests. Brunson ranks inside the top-20 in usage rate this season and with the guard off the floor, Bridges’ usage increases 2.3 percentage points to 21.8% and he provides 0.9 FPTS per minute. Bridges should surpass five-times value with ease and is a great target for all formats.
PG/SG, D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets at Indiana Pacers, $5,800
Russell is coming off a 37.75 FPTS showing vs. the Celtics and he has the potential for an even better outing tonight. Cameron Johnson was available for that matchup with Boston, but he will be rested tonight, joining Cam Thomas (hamstring) on the sidelines. Both Thomas and Johnson are high usage players and with them missing, Russell becomes the Nets’ top option. The ex-Laker is amassing 33 FPTS per game in the six starts he has made without Thomas and Johnson since joining Brooklyn earlier this season.
Furthermore, with both players off the court, Russell’s usage increase 1.9 percentage points and his assist rate rise 4.6 percentage points, resulting in a strong 1.4 FPTS per minute for the guard. Russell will be playing way up in pace against the Pacers tonight, who rank seventh in pace, compared the Nets who rank dead last. In this up-tempo spot, Russell has a ceiling over 40 FPTS.
