The NBA is back, with a seven-game featured DFS slate on tap for Thursday. Following a week-long All-Star break, most stars should be ready to hit the court. However, managers will also need to grab some lesser-known names to make everything work inside their budget. Here are three values to target this evening for your fantasy basketball lineups.
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C Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors at CHI ($4,700)
Toronto is on track for a playoff berth despite uncertainty at center. A back injury has sidelined Jakob Poeltl for most of the season, leaving undersized rookie Collin Murray-Boyles ($5,700) at the five. However, Poeltl made his long-anticipated return right before the All-Star break against Detroit. During that matchup, the Austrian tallied nine points and six rebounds over 20 minutes (16.0 FPTS). On the season, he’s putting up 9.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game (24.1 FPTS).
Despite middling numbers, Thursday could be a boon to Poeltl. The Raptors will take on a Bulls squad allowing 53.8 points in the paint, fourth-most in basketball. In addition, the Raptors are giving up the second-most fantasy points to centers this season. Following a week off, another 20+ minute workload should be expected for Toronto’s big man. If that occurs, he should be able to take advantage of a vulnerable frontcourt. For a reliable production floor, Poeltl is someone worth targeting tonight.
PG Nolan Traore, Brooklyn Nets at CLE ($4,600)
The Nets took five players in the first round last summer, bringing in a major influx of talent. While some of those rookies have shown their age, others are beginning to gain some momentum. The most promising youngster at the moment might be Nolan Traore. Through 31 games, the Frenchman is putting up 7.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists (16.0 FPTS). Still, he’s averaging 34.3 fantasy points over his last four outings. Given the lack of playmakers on Brooklyn’s roster, there’s no reason to expect a dramatic decrease in Traore’s offensive output.
Tonight, the Nets take on a middling Cavaliers defense that has struggled on the perimeter. Cleveland is giving up the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season. The addition of James Harden ($9,000), while beneficial to the team’s offense, hasn’t helped on the other end of the floor. Traore has garnered at least 32 minutes in three of his previous four matchups. Similar usage on Thursday should ensure he comes through at this modest $4,600 price tag.
C Tristan Vukcevic, Washington Wizards vs. IND ($4,300)
Alex Sarr (hamstring) is out, leaving the Wizards quite short-handed down low. Will Riley ($4,400) has gotten more minutes as a result, but there’s room for some other players to contribute. Tristan Vukcevic is far from a household name, but he’s shown flashes this season. Over 33 games, the Serbian has recorded just 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists (14.0 FPTS). However, the third-year pro has logged 20 minutes in each of Washington’s previous two games. During both games, he’s scored exactly 14 points.
Vukcevic, an offensively-minded big man, has an advantageous matchup on tap tonight. The Pacers are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season. To boot, Indiana has given up the most rebounds (56.7) and third-most points in the paint (54.2) per game. In addition, Pascal Siakam (personal) won’t take the floor tonight. That should make scoring inside even easier for Washington on Thursday. Given his dirt-cheap salary, Vukcevic is worth consideration for cost-conscious managers.
