There are three NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
As for injuries, Jayson Tatum is questionable. Sam Hauser and Pelle Larsson are doubtful. Scottie Barnes is out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, BOS is -13 over DET at home with the total at 226.5. MIA is -10.5 over TOR at home with the total at 222.5. SAC is -5.5 over NOP on the road with the total at 231. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $50K Four-Point Play [$10K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Cade Cunningham, Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics ($9,600): Cunningham has leveled up in his fourth NBA season, averaging career-highs across the board. Some of that is due to roster construction while he must also be given credit for putting in the work and developing. The usage rate is 31.4% and he is the bonafide alpha of the Pistons offense. On the season, Cunningham has failed to hit 40 FPTS only twice. He’s gone for at least 50 FPTS in six of the last seven games with three over 60 and a high of 71.5 FPTS. He faced the Celtics two games ago and finished with 61.25 FPTS.
Other Options: De’Aaron Fox ($9,000), Dejounte Murray ($8,300), Jaylen Brown ($8,200) if Tatum is out, Tyler Herro ($7,700), Malik Monk ($7,300), Derrick White ($6,700)
Value
Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons ($5,400): Pritchard has been the microwave off the bench for the Celtics, and he has been scorching hot for most of the season, catapulting himself to the front of the Sixth Man of the Year race. Over the last six games, he’s exceeded 30 FPTS in five with three over 40 FPTS. Tatum is questionable and the Celtics are favored by double digits, so that could provide more playing time. Three games ago, he finished with 33.75 FPTS against these Pistons.
Other Options: Malik Beasley ($5,200), Jrue Holiday ($5,000), Duncan Robinson ($4,200)
Forward
Stud
RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat ($8,800): Early in his career, Barrett was an inefficient hucker and chucker. To be fair, most young scorers are. In his sixth NBA season, Barrett is now a seasoned vet, shooting 46% from the field and 34% from downtown while dishing out 5.8 dimes per game. He’s exceeded 40 FPTS 13 times this season with six over 50 and a high of 68.5 FPTS. With Scottie Barnes now out for a few weeks, Barrett becomes numero uno on the offensive totem pole. The usage rate will likely be in the low-to-mid 30% range now.
Other Options: Jayson Tatum ($9,800) if he plays, Jaylen Brown ($8,200) if Tatum is out
Value
Herbert Jones, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings ($5,000): Jones is out there for his defense. In the first four games of the season, he did not exceed 20 FPTS or attempt 10 shots in any game. Then he got injured and missed all of November. Since returning to action three games ago, Jones has attempted at least 10 shots in every game and gone for 23.25, 35.5 and 38.75 FPTS. He’s still racking up defensive stats and even dishing out dimes. That’s due to all the injuries the Pelicans are dealing right now. The most important numbers are the 38, 37 and 32 minutes he’s playing.
Other Options: Malik Beasley ($5,200), Jonathan Mogbo ($3,900)
Center
Stud
Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons ($7,300): It’s been five games since Porzingis returned to action. The first two were tuneup games, as he received 23 and 25 minutes. Over the last three games, he’s played 32, 29 and 33 minutes. Boston last played on Saturday, so Porzingis should be well rested. Their next game is on Sunday, so he should see a full complement of minutes. He’s put up over 40 FPTS in each of the last three games, with a 44.75 FPTS performance against these same Pistons two games ago.
Other Options: Domantas Sabonis ($9,500), Bam Adebayo ($8,100), Jakob Poeltl ($7,500)
Value
Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings ($5,000): This is a rough matchup for Missi, as Domantas Sabonis is a load down low, so the risk of foul trouble is elevated. In addition, Sabonis is one of the best rebounders in the game. That said, Missi should play close to 30 minutes, barring foul trouble, and his athleticism could give Sabonis some problems, especially in transition. I’m expecting around 20 FPTS, but Missi has put up over 40 FPTS in two of the last four games.
Other Options: Jonathan Mogbo ($3,900)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $50K Four-Point Play [$10K to 1st]
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
