There are six NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
MIA and WAS are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Scottie Barnes, Anfernee Simons, Guerschon Yabusele, AJ Green, Jalen Wilson, and Jonathan Kuminga are questionable. Jerami Grant is doubtful. Cameron Johnson, Brandon Clarke, Ziaire Williams, Scoot Henderson, Jakob Poeltl, and Immanuel Quickley are out.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are three double-digit favorites: MIL -11.5 over PHI, ORL -13.5 over WAS and MIN -13.5 over BKN. There are two games within 3 points: POR -1 over TOR and LAL -2 over GSW. There is one game with a total of at least 230: GSW/LAL (230). There are two games below 220: ORL/WAS (217) and MIN/BKN (216).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers at Toronto Raptors ($7,100): I’m definitely venturing far off the range here, but Sharpe should be very low owned and I think there’s a chance he matches the output of the higher-priced options. Over the last two games, Sharpe has put up 41.75 and 56 FPTS. Luka Doncic obviously has 100-FPTS upside and the floor is extremely high, but he’s been in the 50-FPTS area in the prior seven games. In addition, Golden State is fifth in defensive rating over the last 10 games while LeBron James and Austin Reaves could cap Doncic’s ceiling. Stephen Curry is coming off a 95-FPTS game, but the prior four games were 30.75, 45, 22.5 and 40 FPTS. While Toronto has been fourth in defensive rating, they have been playing at the second-fastest pace.
Other Options: Luka Doncic ($11,900), Stephen Curry ($9,400), Ja Morant ($9,100)
Value
Dalano Banton, Portland Trail Blazers at Toronto Raptors ($4,300): Banton received the start in the last game with Scoot Henderson out, and produced 35.75 FPTS. Henderson has already been ruled out, while Anfernee Simons is questionable. There’s a chance Banton plays over 30 minutes in this one. Towards the end of last season, Banton was a fantasy beast, putting up 50-burgers left and right. Not saying that will happen on Thursday, but it’s well within the range of outcomes.
Other Options: Keon Johnson ($5,300), Davion Mitchell ($4,800), Lonnie Walker IV ($4,700), Ryan Rollins ($4,700), Pelle Larsson ($4,400) if he starts, Ja’Kobe Walter ($4,200)
Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers ($8,100): This is probably where I want to spend my money. Damian Lillard is out due to injury, so it’s all about Giannis. The floor/ceiling combo is too high while the matchup is pristine, as Philadelphia has no one that can protect the pain and is dead last in defensive rating over the last 10 games. There is a blowout risk for sure, which could depress the minutes played, but if there is a blowout, Giannis will likely be a big reason why.
Other Options: LeBron James ($10,100), Paolo Banchero ($9,900), Deni Avdija ($8,600), Julius Randle ($7,800)
Value
Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies ($4,400): The coaching staff raved about Larsson in the offseason. Unfortunately, the rookie didn’t see much run earlier in the season. Eventually, he started seeing playing time in the teens, but the minutes weren’t consistent. Over the last two games, though, Larsson has played 30 minutes in each, as Andrew Wiggins has been out with an injury. Larsson put up 32.25 and 40 FPTS. There is no timetable for Wiggins to return yet, so Larsson should continue getting around 30 minutes of run.
Other Options: Santi Aldama ($5,500), Ricky Council IV ($5,300), Lonnie Walker IV ($4,700), Ja’Kobe Walter ($4,200)
Center
Stud
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves at Brooklyn Nets ($6,800): Gobert has been a beast over the last five games, double-doubling in all and dominating the glass. He’s put up at least 40 FPTS in four of those contests with a high of 53.25 FPTS. The game that he “missed,” Gobert had 39 FPTS. And he’s only blocked two shots over that span. Brooklyn doesn’t have the size to neutralize Gobert.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,100), Julius Randle ($7,800), Brook Lopez ($6,000)
Value
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies at Miami Heat ($4,500): Edey played 32 minutes last game and finished with 40 FPTS. It was against the Warriors too, which is exciting because they play small, spread the court and usually play centers like Edey off the court. With a new head coach in Memphis, there have been tweaks to the rotation and offensive philosophy. There is a risk that Tuesday’s game was just a one-game blip, so keep that in mind, but I’m more apt to think it’s real.
Other Options: Donovan Clingan ($5,500), Adem Bona ($5,200)
