There are five NBA games on Thursday’s main slate. DAL, NYK and UTA 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 $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets ($10,500)
I initially had Cooper Flagg here, but he suffered an ankle injury on Wednesday night and is likely out for this one. So, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander it is. Not bad for a consolation prize. The matchup isn’t great as Houston is 28th in pace and ninth in defensive rating. The Rockets have Amen Thompson, who can make life difficult for SGA. That said, the reigning MVP is one of the top bucket-getters in the NBA. Oklahoma City’s offense flows through him, and he’s going to get his. While there is a chance he disappoints for his price point, I’m thinking that the ownership will be low. Plus, the game should be highly competitive, which means a full complement of playing time and opportunities to produce fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($10,700), Kevin Durant ($8,900), Stephon Castle ($7,000), Norman Powell ($6,400)
Value
Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns at Detroit Pistons ($5,200)
It took a few games for Allen to get comfortable after returning from injury, but he’s gone for 29.2 and 37.5 FPTS in the last two games while playing 24 and 27 minutes. The matchup isn’t great as Detroit is second in defensive rating but there’s a chance that he shoulders more offensive responsibility because Devin Booker is questionable. If Booker plays, a reasonable expectation is around 20 FPTS. If Booker is out, 30+ FPTS is well within the range of outcomes.
Other Options: Julian Champagnie ($5,800), Brice Sensabaugh ($5,700), Ajay Mitchell ($5,400), Anfernee Simons ($5,000), Ryan Nembhard ($4,700)
Forward
Stud
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics at Miami Heat ($9,900)
Brown missed Monday’s game due to back spasms. He’s off the injury report and should be well-rested for this one. Brown’s back has likely been stressed all season due to the massive 36.4% usage rate he’s been garnering, but he’s been carrying the Celtics offense successfully, averaging 29.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Miami is one of the better defensive teams in the league, but since they play at the fastest pace, the environment should be a fantasy-friendly one. Brown last faced Miami on December 19th and he finished with 52.2 FPTS in that one.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,000), Alperen Sengun ($9,200), Kevin Durant ($8,900), Chet Holmgren ($7,600), Norman Powell ($6,400), Naji Marshall ($6,300)
Value
Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics ($5,500)
Wiggins has put up at least 20 FPTS in all but one game this season, and he finished with 19 FPTS in that one, so the floor seems well-established. And that is the likely outcome, which isn’t terrible for the price. But there is upside. He went for 40.2 FPTS two games ago against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the last two games of December, he finished with 49 and 48.2 FPTS. The risk/reward seems favorable.
Other Options: Julian Champagnie ($5,800), Brice Sensabaugh ($5,700), Grayson Allen ($5,200), Sam Hauser ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Jusuf Nurkic, Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks ($7,400)
Nurkic has been a bastion of consistency, putting up at least 40 FPTS in six of the last seven games. The game that he “missed,” Nurkic still finished with 33.2 FPTS. Dallas will be without Anthony Davis, making things easier on the offensive end. In addition, Lauri Markkanen is dealing with an illness and could be out for this one, which would likely increase the usage rate for Nurkic.
Other Options: Alperen Sengun ($9,200), Jalen Duren ($7,200), Bam Adebayo ($7,000)
Value
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics at Miami Heat ($5,400)
The upside isn’t robust with Queta, but the floor is relatively high and soundly built. On the season, Queta has put up at least 20 FPTS in all but three contests. He has gone over 30 FPTS 11 times with two of those over 40 FPTS. In the last five games, Queta has finished with over 30 FPTS in four of those contests, so that ain’t bad. With how fast Miami plays, I wouldn’t rule out another 30 FPTS game, but I wouldn’t expect it especially since Queta is usually playing around 24 minutes a night.
