There are four NBA games on Thursday’s main slate. No teams are 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
Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics ($7,600)
In the game where Giannis Antetokounmpo got injured, Porter garnered a whopping 35.9% usage rate. With Giannis out, I expected the offense to primarily flow through Porter and Ryan Rollins. Well, the usage rate for Porter over the last two games has only been 25.9% and 23.4%, but Porter has still been highly productive, stuffing the stat sheet for 59 and 44.8 FPTS. He’s a little too cheap for the expected playing time, usage, and potential.
Other Options: Deni Avdija ($9,700), Jamal Murray ($8,900), Amen Thompson ($8,200), Shaedon Sharpe ($6,700), Toumani Camara ($6,200)
Value
Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($4,800)
I love Alvarado because he plays with an energy that would make every dad on Earth shed a few tears out of joy. Normally, Alvarado plays in the low 20-minute range, backing up Jeremiah Fears, but over the last two games, he’s received 30 and 31 minutes. Alvarado has put up at least 22 FPTS in each of his last four games and has three games over 30 FPTS with a high of 42 FPTS. A ceiling game is unlikely against a stout Portland team, but he should be able to pay off his price tag.
Other Options: Cameron Johnson ($5,300), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,000)
Forward
Stud
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers at New Orleans Pelicans ($9,700)
Avdija has leveled up again this season. He has two triple-doubles on the season and narrowly missed out on a few more. What makes Avdija most deadly is his strength and ability to get to the rack. With the Pelicans lacking rim protection, Avdija should feast in this one. New Orleans is 28th in the NBA in defensive rating. Avdija has put up over 50 FPTS nine times this season, with two of those over 70 FPTS.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($9,900), Alperen Sengun ($9,600), Derik Queen ($6,900), Shaedon Sharpe ($6,700), Jerami Grant ($6,300)
Value
Jordan Walsh, Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks ($4,700)
Walsh has been entrenched in the Celtics lineup recently behind his stout defense. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Walsh has confounded the best offensive threats in the game. He’s a low usage player on offense, but gets plenty of open shots due to surrounding talent and being an excellent cutter, both on the baseline and towards the paint. He’s also done yeoman’s work on the glass. Basically, he’s chipping in a little something something in every category. He’s put up over 20 FPTS in each of his last five games, with three over 30 FPTS and a high of 41.8 FPTS.
Other Options: Peyton Watson ($5,600), Bobby Portis ($5,200), Kyle Kuzma ($5,100), Herbert Jones ($4,400), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings ($12,900)
Jokic has “only” put up 50 FPTS in four of the last six games — the sky is falling! I don’t care because Jokic is the greatest fantasy player of our generation and a threat to go for 100 FPTS on any given night. On the season, he’s put up over 80 FPTS four times.
Other Options: Alperen Sengun ($9,600), Ivica Zubac ($7,200), Derik Queen ($6,900)
Value
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks ($5,300)
Queta’s size will be necessary in this one. While Myles Turner likes to space the floor on offense, he punishes smaller defenders down low when given the chance. In addition, Queta’s rim protection is paramount against drives from Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins. Over his last five games, Queta has gone over 30 FPTS three times, with a high of 46 FPTS.
Other Options: Maxime Raynaud ($5,400), Bobby Portis ($5,200)
