There are four NBA games on Thursday’s main slate. Philadelphia and Sacramento are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
This article was written on Wednesday night. Any changes will be updated.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks ($10,300)
Joel Embiid is hobbled and could be out for this one. Paul George is back but he’s been brought along slowly. Even if those two were healthy, Maxey would still probably be the captain of this 76ers ship because he’s leveled up into superstar status. Maxey has scored at least 50 FPTS in all but two contests, and in those two games, he still finished in the mid-to-high 40s. He has five games over 60 FPTS, but what I most like about rostering Maxey is that Nick Nurse is playing him around 40 minutes a night. And minutes are half the battle.
Other Options: James Harden ($10,000), De’Aaron Fox ($9,300), Russell Westbrook ($7,900), Desmond Bane ($7,500), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($6,800)
Value
Anthony Black, Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Clippers ($4,800)
Black has played 33 and 36 minutes in the last two games, starting one of those. He’s been playing alongside Jalen Suggs at times and has done an excellent job on offense as a cutter while being a menace on defense, racking up steals. Black has put up over 30 FPTS in three of the last four games and there’s a good chance he makes it four out of five because the Clippers are 24th in defensive rating.
Other Options: VJ Edgecombe ($6,000), Dennis Schroder ($5,700)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks at San Antonio Spurs ($9,800)
Johnson has been on quite the heater recently with no Trae Young out of the lineup. He’s gone for at least 50 FPTS in each of the last four games with a high of 92 FPTS! In that contest, he triple-doubled with 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists and a whopping seven steals. That is the ceiling. The floor has been quite high as well. Victor Wembanyama is out for this one, so action at the rim won’t be so daunting.
Other Options: Franz Wagner ($8,800)
Value
Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings ($5,300)
With no Ja Morant, Williams has picked up some of the slack. On Tuesday, he went for 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in 30 minutes, good for 38.8 FPTS. In the prior three games, he finished with at least 22 FPTS in all with a high of 33.2 FPTS. Sacramento is sixth in pace while being an abomination on defense with the 27th best rating.
Other Options: Santi Aldama ($5,800), Keldon Johnson ($5,400), Harrison Barnes ($5,200), Tristan da Silva ($5,000), Mouhamed Gueye ($4,500) if Porzingis is out
Center
Stud
Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks ($6,400)
Joel Embiid has missed five of the last six games. Over that span, Drummond has replaced him in the starting lineup and finished with at least 31 FPTS in all with two over 40 FPTS. Philadelphia has not submitted an injury report yet for Thursday, but I think Embiid sits again because he was designated as doubtful for Wednesday and the 76ers next play on Sunday at home, so he could get another three days of rest.
Other Options: Onyeka Okongwu ($7,600), Ivica Zubac ($7,400)
Value
Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Clippers ($5,400)
Carter played 35 and 37 minutes over the last two games and put up 38.5 and 36 FPTS. On the season, Carter has finished with at least 20 FPTS in all but three games with six over 30 and a high of 40.2 FPTS.
Other Options: Zach Edey ($5,900), Santi Aldama ($5,800), Luke Kornet ($5,800), Drew Eubanks ($4,800), Mouhamed Gueye ($4,500) if Porzingis is out
