There are eight NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
ATL, BOS, DAL, GSW, LAC, OKC and SAC are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Tyler Herro is probable. Franz Wagner, Deandre Ayton, Jeremy Sochan, Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, Toumani Camara, Anfernee Simons, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, Jett Howard, Jonathan Isaac, Keshad Johnson, Ochai Agbaji and Kris Murray are questionable. Goga Bitadze is doubtful. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are two double-digit favorites: OKC -10.5 over DAL and LAC -12.5 over WAS. There are no games within 3 points. There are three games with a total of at least 230: TOR/ATL (236), SAC/DEN (239.5) and CHI/GSW (231). There are two games with a total below 220: POR/ORL (209) and DAL/OKC (218.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks ($11,500): SGA is the blue-chip stock that pays out a hefty dividend to the NBA. The returns are juicy and consistent with a sprinkle of upside if things break right. Over the last 11 games, SGA has put up at least 50 FPTS in 10 of those contests. The one game he didn’t was due to a 41-point blowout in which he played 30 minutes and finished with 44.75 FPTS. He went over 60 FPTS twice during that span. On the season, he’s exceeded 70 FPTS three times. Jalen Williams, aka the OKC Robin to the SGA Batman, has been dealing with a hip injury, so more of the offensive onus will likely be on SGA if Williams is out.
Other Options: Trae Young ($9,600), Stephen Curry ($8,800), Scottie Barnes ($8,700), De’Aaron Fox ($8,400), Tyler Herro ($8,300), Zach LaVine ($8,200), Josh Giddey ($7,100), Malik Monk ($7,000)
Value
Anthony Black, Orlando Magic vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($5,400): On Tuesday, Black got the start with Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony out and he delivered 31.75 FPTS in 36 minutes. Anthony is questionable for Thursday, so Black could get another start. Even if he doesn’t, Black will be heavily involved, as he played 28, 29, 30 and 37 minutes in the prior four games off the bench, putting up at least 24 FPTS in three of those contests with a high of 36 FPTS.
Other Options: Duncan Robinson ($5,100),Payton Pritchard ($5,000), Dennis Schroder ($4,800), Vit Krejci ($4,500)
Forward
Stud
Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls ($6,100): Wiggins is coming off an 11.25 FPTS performance against the Boston Celtics in which he shot 1-for-11 in 24 minutes. Boston won that game 125-85. In the prior three games, he played 35 minutes in all, finishing with 28.25, 36.75 and 59.75 FPTS. Over the last 10 games, Chicago has played at the third-fastest pace while being 17th in defensive rating. This is a great bounce-back spot. The price is very palatable and there is the chance of a ceiling game.
Other Options: LeBron James ($10,200), Jayson Tatum ($9,800), Scottie Barnes ($8,700), Paolo Banchero ($8,400), Zach LaVine ($8,200), Norman Powell ($7,400), DeMar DeRozan ($7,000)
Value
Vit Krejci, Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors ($4,500): Krejci has started nine of the last 10 games, averaging 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.2 treys. Those numbers aren’t anything to write home about, but he’s been providing a little something something across the board on a nightly basis, which has utility. Over that same span, he’s gone over 20 FPTS seven times with two games over 30 FPTS. Toronto is 28th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Nikola Jovic ($5,300), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5,000), Aaron Gordon ($4,200)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings ($12,200): I will just leave what I wrote for Jokic a few nights ago: Price is always an issue and rostering Jokic will come down to roster construction. But if paying up, Jokic is the way because of the safety and ability to put up the most raw points on the slate. He has the highest floor/ceiling combo and has failed to hit 50 FPTS only three times this season. He has nine games over 80 FPTS with three of those over 90 FPTS!
Jokic faced the Kings back in mid-December and finished with 65.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Anthony Davis ($10,700), Domantas Sabonis ($10,000), Nikola Vucevic ($8,200), Daniel Gafford ($6,500), Wendell Carter Jr. ($6,300) if Goga Bitadze is out
Value
Jaylin Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks ($5,300): I worry that the MIL/MIA may get postponed due to the weather, so Ware is off the board for me as of now. Okongwu will likely be a popular selection, especially if he starts again, but he only played 28 minutes last game. With both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein out, Williams has started the last three games. He only played 14 minutes in the first start against Cleveland, but then received 31 and 27 minutes in the last two games, putting up 33.5 and 36 FPTS.
Other Options: Kel’el Ware ($5,700), Onyeka Okongwu ($5,600), Nikola Jovic ($5,300)
