There are six games on Thursday’s NBA slate. The Warriors and Spurs 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 $100K Fadeaway [$20K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves at Detroit Pistons ($6,700)
When Dosunmu first arrived in Minnesota, he was playing 26.2 minutes off the bench. He put up at least 20 FPTS in eight of his first 14 games with the franchise. He has started the last five contests, averaging 32.8 minutes a night in that span. Despite garnering a usage rate of only 20%, Dosunmu has been a fantasy beast, clearing 40 FPTS in four of those games — including two performances over 50 FPTS and a high of 65.2 FPTS. The matchup isn’t great, as Detroit is 23rd in pace and sixth in defensive rating over its last 15 games. But the price, along with his across-the-board production and potential ceiling, is certainly appealing.
Other Options: Luka Doncic ($12,200), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,400), Kawhi Leonard ($9,500), Brandin Podziemski ($7,500), Stephon Castle ($7,300), Daniss Jenkins ($7,000)
Value
Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($5,600)
Camara is another low-usage player who also contributes in every statistical category. The difference with Dosunmu? Camara is more dependent on defensive stats, while Dosunmu has done much of his damage on the offensive end. That said, Camara’s price is much lower, and he’s recently shown similar upside, notching 50.8 FPTS just five games ago. His likely outcome is somewhere in the 20 to 30 FPTS range, something he’s accomplished in six straight contests.
Other Options: Donte DiVincenzo ($5,500), Ajay Mitchell ($5,200), Coby White ($5,200), Dylan Harper ($4,700)
Forward
Stud
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($8,900)
I don’t like paying up at the forward position on this slate. If I had to, though, I’d likely go with Avdija. New Orleans doesn’t have the most imposing rim protection, and Avdija loves to get into the paint. Over the last 15 games, the Pelicans are 20th in defensive rating. And Avdija has cleared 40 FPTS in nine of his last 13 games, including two performances north of 50 FPTS.
Other Options: Kawhi Leonard ($9,500), Chet Holmgren ($7,800), Brandon Miller ($7,500), Ayo Dosunmu ($6,700)
Value
Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ($5,900)
I don’t like paying down at the position either. Do I have to roster forwards today? Well, I guess Harris, it is — a ringing endorsement! Harris is fairly mid from a statistical standpoint, as he’s finished in the 20 to 30 FPTS range in all but 13 games this season. The high was 40.5 FPTS. Over his last 10 games, Harris has put up at least 20 FPTS in all, with seven over 30 FPTS.
Other Options: Toumani Camara ($5,600)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers ($11,700)
The Clippers have done an excellent job of neutralizing power forwards with FPPM (-9.71%) this season. But Wembanyama is not a normal power forward. Some players can stuff the stat sheet. Wembanyama approaches each statistical category as if he’s installing cluster stuffing at Build-A-Bear. In two games against the Clippers this season, Wembanyama put up 51.2 and 54 FPTS. He’s put up at least 50 FPTS in all but one of his last 13 games, with six performances over 60 FPTS and three over 70 FPTS. He likely has the highest floor/ceiling combo on the slate.
Other Options: Donovan Clingan ($8,000)
Value
Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns ($5,600)
I’m not crazy about the price, especially since the range of outcomes has been wide for Diabate. Over his last 10 games, he’s fallen below 20 FPTS four times and played fewer than 30 minutes on six occasions. That said, he has three games over 30 FPTS and a high of 40.8 FPTS. Diabate won’t score many points, but his Tasmanian Devil-esque energy allows him to rack up defensive stats and be a force on the glass. Phoenix has been neutral in allowing FPPM to centers.
Other Options: Oso Ighodaro ($5,200), Brook Lopez ($5,200)
