There are five games on Thursday’s NBA slate. No team is 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 $80K Fadeaway [$20K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards ($7,100)
It’s deja vu, as these teams played on Tuesday, with the Bulls winning 129-98. Jones finished with 37 FPTS. He has started the last 14 games for Chicago and averaged 28 minutes, 18 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.1 steals. All but three of those were playing alongside Josh Giddey. Over that span, Jones put up at least 30 FPTS 10 times with three over 40 FPTS. On Sunday with Giddey out, Jones played 31 minutes and went for 45.2 FPTS while garnering a usage rate of 30%. Giddey is out once again so the minutes and usage rate should be elevated once again. The matchup is a fantastic one, as Washington is third in pace and 29th in defensive rating over the last 15 games.
Other Options: Jalen Brunson ($9,200), Amen Thompson ($7,800), Payton Pritchard ($6,700)
Value
Ja’Kobe Walter, Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat ($4,800)
Remember Gradey Dick, the 13th overall pick of the Raptors in the 2023 draft, who was supposed to alleviate the spacing issues? Yeah, me neither. Instead, it’s been Walter, the 19th overall pick in the 2024 draft, who has assumed that role. Walter is shooting 40% from downtown and has started 18 of 69 games this season, with seven of those starts coming in the last nine games. Over that span, Walter averaged 27.9 minutes, 10.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.7 treys. That translated to at least 20 FPTS in all but one of those contests with a high of 36.8 FPTS.
Other Options: Jamir Watkins ($5,200), Ben Saraf ($5,900), Rob Dillingham ($4,400)
Forward
Stud
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics at New York Knicks ($10,000)
Over the last seven games, Tatum has gone for at least 50 FPTS in all but one with a high of 73.5 FPTS. It’s crazy to think that Tatum tore his Achilles about a year ago. Anyways, he’s been straight up ballin’, scoring at least 20 points in six straight while grabbing double-digit rebounds in six of the last eight contests. He’s dishing out plenty of dimes and notched a triple-double four games ago. The only thing he hasn’t been doing is getting his Mutombo on. Tatum faced the Hornets five games ago and put up 54.8 FPTS. He wasn’t able to replicate the feat against the Hornets on Tuesday, finishing with 37.8 FPTS, but he could see an increase in usage with both Jaylen Brown and Derrick White questionable for this one.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,100), Scottie Barnes ($8,900), Kevin Durant ($8,800), RJ Barrett ($7,500), OG Anunoby ($6,600), Will Riley ($6,500), Jabari Smith Jr. ($6,300)
Value
Leonard Miller, Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards ($5,300)
Over the last seven games, Miller has put up at least 20 FPTS in all but one. These teams met on Tuesday and Miller played 25 minutes, contributing 13 points, eight rebounds, an assist and two blocks, good for 29 FPTS. With many of the frontcourt pieces injured for the Bulls, the playing time should be secure for Miller. In addition, Washington is one of the best matchups for fantasy because they play fast and eschew defense.
Other Options: Jarace Walker ($5,700), Jamir Watkins ($5,200), Ja’Kobe Walter ($4,800), Collin Murray-Boyles ($4,500), Jalen Slawson ($4,500), Tre Scott ($3,900)
Center
Stud
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets ($9,800)
Injuries prevent Embiid from playing a full complement of games. In addition, they have sapped him of juice. That said, he is still a force on the court due to his size and skill. It’s just that the probability for ceiling games is lowered. Still, the 40 to 50 FPTS range ain’t bad, something he’s done in nine straight, hitting the 59 FPTS mark twice.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,100), Alperen Sengun ($8,600), Jabari Smith Jr. ($6,300)
Value
E.J. Liddell, Brooklyn Nets vs. Indiana Pacers ($4,500)
Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe and Danny Wolf are all out for Brooklyn. Liddell received the start on Sunday and put up 27.8 FPTS in 30 minutes of action. He got the nod Tuesday and put up 30.5 FPTS in 21 minutes. He is now priced $1,000 more, making him more fair-priced than cheap. He should still deliver those fantasy goodies, though.
Other Options: Julian Reese ($6,000), Jakob Poeltl ($5,500), Mitchell Robinson ($4,600), Collin Murray-Boyles ($4,500)
