There are five NBA games on Thursday’s main slate. Brooklyn is playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
This article was written on Wednesday night. Any changes will be updated. Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Derrick White, Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards ($7,500)
Jaylen Brown has been en fuego lately, putting up oodles of FPTS while leading Boston to four wins in the last five games. Unfortunately, Brown is dealing with an illness and is doubtful for this one. Brown has been garnering a usage rate over 35%, so his absence would leave a massive vacuum. Brown hasn’t missed a game yet this season, but with him off the court, it’s been White who has seen the biggest usage bump of 8.49%. White has put up over 50 FPTS once this season. He could make it two on Thursday as the Wizards are fifth in pace and dead-last in defensive rating.
Other Options: Tyrese Maxey ($10,400), Anthony Edwards ($9,600), Austin Reaves ($8,300), Keyonte George ($7,700), Trey Murphy III ($7,500), Immanuel Quickley ($7,300), Payton Pritchard ($6,800)
Value
Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans ($5,600)
DiVincenzo has been a bastion of consistency this season, failing to score at least 20 FPTS only twice. He’s averaging a career-high 31.5 minutes per contest and draining 39% of his attempts from downtown. He’s put up at least 32 FPTS in each of the last three games and there’s a good chance he makes it four in a row because New Orleans is 28th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Egor Demin ($5,400), Jared McCain ($4,600), Gary Payton II ($4,200), Jamal Shead ($3,700), Walter Clayton Jr. ($3,300), De’Anthony Melton ($3,000)
Forward
Stud
Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets vs. Utah Jazz ($8,400)
Porter is garnering a usage rate of 29% on the season. Over the last seven games, he’s put up at least 42 FPTS in six with three of those over 50 FPTS. We know he can get his shot up against anyone due to his length and that he’s always been a good rebounder, but the playmaking has been a pleasant surprise. This game should be fantasy-friendly as Utah is fourth in pace while both teams are in the bottom five in defensive rating.
Other Options: Scottie Barnes ($9,000), Jimmy Butler ($8,700), LeBron James ($8,500), Lauri Markkanen ($8,200), Saddiq Bey ($6,700)
Value
Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets vs. Utah Jazz ($5,600)
As mentioned in the Porter Jr. section, this game should be fantasy-friendly because both teams eschew defense while Utah plays fast. Clowney hasn’t been the most consistent player, but he’s flashed and has one game over 40 FPTS. Clowney can shoot from downtown, rack up defensive stats and finish strong at the basket.
Other Options: Naz Reid ($5,700), Jaden McDaniels ($5,500), Dominick Barlow ($5,000), Ace Bailey ($5,000), Kyle Filipowski ($4,800), Jake LaRavia ($4,200), Jordan Walsh ($4,100), Danny Wolf ($3,900)
Center
Stud
Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets vs. Utah Jazz ($6,600)
Claxton is skinny at 215 pounds, but he’s bouncy and has length at 6-foot-11. Jusuf Nurkic is questionable for this one, so Claxton may not have to be worried about getting pounded in the paint. The environment should be a good one for Claxton because he likes to get up and down the court. As with Porter Jr., the playmaking has been quite the surprise and Claxton does have a triple-double on the season. He’s put up over 40 FPTS seven times with two of those over 50 FPTS.
Other Options: Derik Queen ($6,600), Deandre Ayton ($6,400), Andre Drummond ($6,100) if Joel Embiid is out
Value
Marvin Bagley III, Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics ($5,000)
Bagley has started the last three games he’s played in and put up over 30 FPTS in all. Alex Sarr is out once again so Bagley should get the nod again. Another 30-FPTS performance seems likely outside of injury or foul trouble.
Other Options: Rudy Gobert ($6,000), Naz Reid ($5,700), Neemias Queta ($5,300), Dominick Barlow ($5,000), Kyle Filipowski ($4,800), Danny Wolf ($3,900)
