There are nine games on Thursday’s NBA slate. Houston, Sacramento, and San Antonio are playing the second night 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
Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($6,900)
I usually eschew empty-calorie bucket-getters like Jalen Green, who don’t contribute much outside of points. And even those are a challenge due to the inefficiency. That said, Green’s usage rate has been over 36% over the last four games — and now, both Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks are sidelined. With those two off the court, Green has seen the greatest usage bump on the team. He also had a recent streak with three steals in three straight games. The cherry on top? The Lakers rank 24th in defensive rating this season. It wouldn’t be surprising if Green clears 40 FPTS in this one.
Other Options: Tyrese Maxey ($10,000), Isaiah Collier ($7,800), Grayson Allen ($7,500), Kon Knueppel ($7,400), Stephon Castle ($7,400), DeMar DeRozan ($7,200), CJ McCollum ($6,800), Norman Powell ($6,800), Collin Gillespie ($6,700), V.J. Edgecombe ($6,700), Jrue Holiday ($6,600), Toumani Camara ($6,100)
Value
Jamaree Bouyea, Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($3,100)
Jamaree Bouyea has recorded 20 FPTS seven times this season despite playing limited minutes. With all the injuries — Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jordan Goodwin — there’s a strong chance Bouyea gets at least 25 minutes in this one. He averages 0.86 FPTS per minute and is priced nearly at the minimum — so he should easily clear his salary expectations, especially since the Lakers aren’t a great defensive team.
Other Options: Brice Sensabaugh ($5,700), Nique Clifford ($5,600), Scoot Henderson ($5,500), Brandon Williams ($5,200), Max Christie ($5,000), Jordan Poole ($4,100), Taelon Peter ($3,100) if he plays
Forward
Stud
Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($7,600)
With Jusuf Nurkic done for the season, Kyle Filipowski has started Utah’s last three games and averaged 27.3 minutes a night. He finished with at least 34 FPTS in each contest, with a high of 42.2 FPTS. Filipowski has a diverse skill set, so he can produce fantasy goodies in a variety of ways. Utah is currently employing shenanigans, so the minutes could be volatile. But as long as he’s out there, Filipowski should provide plenty of FPTS.
Other Options: Kevin Durant ($8,900), Zion Williamson ($8,000), Grayson Allen ($7,500), Jabari Smith Jr. ($6,900), Norman Powell ($6,800), Kelly Oubre Jr. ($6,400), Naji Marshall ($6,300), Toumani Camara ($6,100), Andrew Wiggins ($6,100)
Value
Precious Achiuwa, Sacramento Kings at Dallas Mavericks ($4,900)
With Domantas Sabonis and Dylan Cardwell out, Precious Achiuwa’s playing time has been secure. He has been starting most of the season and received over 32 minutes in two of his last three games, putting up at least 40 FPTS in both. While he only played 21 minutes two games ago, that may have been because of that Victor Wembanyama guy. Achiuwa still finished with 26.2 FPTS in that contest. The upside is too nice for the price — some might say it’s Precious.
Other Options: Jonathan Kuminga ($5,800) if Jalen Johnson is out, Brice Sensabaugh ($5,700), Nique Clifford ($5,600), Will Riley ($5,000), Guerschon Yabusele ($4,900), Daeqwon Plowden ($4,700), Kobe Brown ($4,600), Bilal Coulibaly ($4,600), Micah Potter ($4,400), Tristan da Silva ($4,300), Karlo Matkovic ($3,700), Taelon Peter ($3,100)
Center
Stud
Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers at Chicago Bulls ($7,300)
Donovan Clingan has been a beast over the last seven games, averaging 16.4 points, 13 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.4 blocks across 29.9 minutes per contest. He put up at least 50 FPTS in four of those contests, including a high of 63.5 FPTS. Now he gets to face a hapless Bulls team that ranks 11th in pace, 28th in defensive rating, and 22nd in rebounding over its last 15 games.
Other Options: Victor Wembanyama ($10,900), Onyeka Okongwu ($7,700), Kyle Filipowski ($7,600), Maxime Raynaud ($6,300)
Value
DeAndre Jordan, New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz ($4,000)
What in the world is New Orleans doing? The Pelicans’ two first-rounders have been relegated to reserve roles, and a 37-year-old is starting at center over the rookie who was acquired for significant draft capital. Shrug. Whatever. All we can do is take in the information and act accordingly.
DeAndre Jordan has played 32 and 22 minutes over his last two games, finishing with 31.8 and 24.5 PFTS. New Orleans won both of those contests, so maybe I should be quiet! If Jordan keeps starting and playing significant minutes, he’s too cheap — especially against a Jazz team that ranks second in pace and dead last in defensive rating.
Other Options: Moussa Diabate ($5,800), Will Riley ($5,000), Guershon Yabusele ($4,900), Marvin Bagley III ($4,900), Precious Achiuwa ($4,900), Micah Potter ($4,400), Karlo Matkovic ($3,700)
