There are six NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
BKN, MIA and PHI are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Anthony Davis, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Kyle Anderson, Gabe Vincent and AJ Green are questionable. Brandin Podziemski and Jerami Grant are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there is one double-digit favorite: MIL -13 over BKN. There are two games within 3 points: MIA -1.5 over IND and GS -1.5 over PHI. There are no games with a total of at least 230. There are two games with a total at or below 220: LAC/OKC (217.5) and BKN/MIL (218.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($7,200): Something has shifted in LaLa Land recently. Reaves has garnered usage rates of 30.7, 26.7 and 33.1 percent over the last three games. On the season, that number was 23.9 percent. He’s dished out 10, 16 and 10 dimes while scoring 35, 26 and 26 points. LeBron James only missed one of those games. That’s all translated to 63.25, 58 and 60.5 FPTS. Portland plays at the seventh-fastest pace and is 27th in defensive efficiency.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,900), Damian Lillard ($9,400), James Harden ($9,100), Tyler Herro ($8,600), Anfernee Simons ($6,500)
Value
Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($3,200): Brandin Podziemski has been ruled out while Stephen Curry is questionable. There’s a good chance that Moody will see over 20 minutes in this one, possibly in the high 20s. Over the last two games, Moody has received 21 and 24 minutes, producing 23 and 26 FPTS.
Other Options: Shaedon Sharpe ($5,800), D’Angelo Russell ($5,200), Donte DiVincenzo ($4,900), Scoot Henderson ($4,800), Duncan Robinson ($4,400)
Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets ($11,400): Giannis has a Q next to his name, but he is listed as probable for Thursday. Brooklyn is 22nd in defensive efficiency and has no one to stop Giannis in the paint. In two meetings with Brooklyn this season, Giannis has put up 51 and 61.75 FPTS. He’s gone for over 70 FPTS in two of the last four games.
Other Options: Jayson Tatum ($10,400), LeBron James ($9,900), Jimmy Butler ($8,500)
Value
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($6,000): As with Austin Reaves, something has changed over the last three games for Kuminga. He’s received 32, 34 and 37 minutes of playing time after playing in the 28 to 30-minute range. He’s attempted 15, 20 and 19 shots after being in the 10 to 15 range. He’s been more aggressive all around, especially on the boards. That’s resulted in 39, 52.25 and 60.5 FPTS over that span. With Curry possibly out, Kuminga may be asked to shoulder more of the offensive load.
Other Options: Deni Avdija ($5,700), Noah Clowney ($5,000), Moses Moody ($3,200)
Center
Stud
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($10,700): Davis dominates at both ends of the court. He’s playing in the high 30s minutes per game and has finished with over 60 FPTS in the last two outings. He faced Portland early in December and put up 60.75 FPTS.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,400), Ivica Zubac ($7,600), Isaiah Hartenstein ($7,600), Deandre Ayton ($6,300)
Value
Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks ($5,000): Clowney hasn’t been good recently, putting up 16 and 14.75 FPTS in the last two games. In the prior four games, though, he finished with at least 20 FPTS in all with a high of 32 FPTS. In four games at the end of last season, Clowney put up 10.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.0 blocks in 35.6 minutes. He hasn’t blocked a shot in six games. It’s only a matter of time and, with the trade of Dorian Finney-Smith, Clowney should be locked into at least 30 minutes a night.
Other Options: Trayce Jackson-Davis ($4,700), Guerschon Yabusele ($4,500)
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.
