Another loaded, must-watch evening of hoops is upon us. Five games between ten different teams make up Thursday’s featured NBA DFS slate. It’s not the biggest set of matchups, but there’s certainly options to choose from. Seven players are commanding a salary of at least $9,000 tonight; finding a star won’t be an issue.
The challenge for fantasy managers is building a balanced lineup. For every big name, there’s a lesser known player or two that need to be rostered. Which diamonds in the rough should you target on Thursday? Here are three to consider tonight in DFS and season-long fantasy formats.
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PG Ryan Nembhard, Dallas Mavericks vs. UTA ($4,700)
Things can’t get any worse for the Mavericks…or can they? Anthony Davis (hand) is set to miss at least six weeks. In addition, both Cooper Flagg (ankle) and Daniel Gafford (ankle) are questionable to suit up tonight. That leaves Dallas with a shockingly limited amount of ‘sure things’ on its roster. While that’s a rough blow to the team’s chances of winning, it presents opportunity for some role players. In the backcourt, Ryan Nembhard should see more playing time. This season, the guard is averaging 7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game (17.9 FPTS).
20+ minutes, if not more, feels like a reasonable expectation tonight for Nembhard. It helps that Dallas will take on one of the NBA’s worst defensive units. The Jazz are allowing 127.0 points per game to opponents, by far the highest mark in all of basketball. To boot, Utah has given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. Nembhard has recorded at least 22 fantasy points in two of his last three outings. An even better performance on Thursday wouldn’t come as a surprise.
SF/PF Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics at MIA ($4,000)
Despite their slow-paced offense, the Celtics love nothing more than jacking up some three-pointers. Boston is averaging 42.6 shots per game from beyond the arc, second-most in the association. One player that embodies this approach is Sam Hauser. The fifth-year pro’s biggest role on the team is that of a sharpshooter. However, he’s suffered through a difficult 2025-26 campaign. Over 38 games, Hauser has tallied just 7.8 points on 39% shooting. That includes a career-worst 38% mark from three-point range.
With that being said, Boston’s floor-stretching forward remains a threat to go off on any night. That’s especially true when facing a vulnerable Miami roster. The Heat have surrendered the tenth-most three-pointers per game (13.9) to opponents this season. In addition, they could be without impact defenders Davion Mitchell (shoulder) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee). When these clubs last met on December 19th, Hauser accounted for 15 points, four rebounds and three assists (26.0 FPTS). A similar showing on Thursday would make the veteran a steal at his current salary.
C Moussa Cisse, Dallas Mavericks vs. UTA ($3,900)
We’ll head back to Dallas, where the Mavericks are short-handed down low. As previously mentioned, Anthony Davis is out while Daniel Gafford is questionable tonight. If the latter can’t take the floor, the Mavericks will be forced to get creative in the front court. Undrafted free agent Moussa Cisse is in line for an expanded role going forward. Over his previous two games, the center has posted 3.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. Despite a lack of scoring, the defensive specialist has enough all-around ability to intrigue fantasy managers.
At just $3,900, Cisse doesn’t need a double-double to make a strong impact tonight. Granted, going against a dismal Utah defense certainly doesn’t hurt. The Jazz are giving up the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season. Outside of Cisse, Dallas’ options at the five are limited, at best. Dwight Powell ($3,500) might see more playing time, but there’s no reason to give the veteran a large workload. For a now-rebuilding Mavs squad, why not give a young, inexperienced center an opportunity? Don’t be shocked if Cisse delivers 20+ fantasy points in this one.
