After only one game Wednesday, the NBA is back with a full nine-game slate on Thursday. Just like with NFL DFS, stacking games for NBA DFS is a strategy that can really pay off. Embracing correlation with multiple players from the same game can be the key to climbing the leaderboard in GPPs. Below, I have featured two of my favorite games to stack for Thursday’s nine-game slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Return From Break Special [$100K to 1st]
Indiana Pacers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies and Pacers rank first and seventh in pace, respectively, and this game boasts the highest total the NBA has seen this season at a whopping 251 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. This is the largest total on the slate by 7.5 points and this matchup between Indiana and Memphis is without a doubt the best game to stack Thursday.
Starting with the hosting Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton ($8,000) and Pascal Siakam ($7,800) bring the highest ceilings from Indiana and are worthy spends. Specifically, Haliburton is averaging 40 FPTS per game in totals of 240 points or more this season. Myles Turner ($6,000) is back tonight after missing the last three, and he also is too cheap for his upside, assuming he has no limitations. Turner has always been more productive on his home floor throughout his career and this season has been no exception, with Turner amassing 33 FPTS per game at home, which is 3.0 more FPTS per game than his average on the road. Lastly, Bennedict Mathurin ($5,200) is a compelling cheap option in this setting. While he has come off the bench for the last two, Mathurin has played starter-like minutes with over 30 in each contest, resulting in 35.5 FPTS per game for the wing.
For the Grizzlies, Ja Morant ($8,500), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,100), and Desmond Bane ($7,500) all are strong spends in this elite setting. Jackson Jr. posted 46 FPTS when he faced the Pacers in December and is the best target of Memphis’ big three if forced to choose. On the cheaper side, Santi Aldama ($4,500) has a ton of merit. The forward has been lights out as of late, shooting 57% from the field in his last three, which has translated into 30.5 FPTS per game.
Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets
Editor’s Note: Hornets PG LaMelo Ball (injury management) and C Mark Williams (conditioning) have been ruled out for tonight’s game vs. the Nuggets.
The Nuggets are hosting the Hornets tonight and this game has a plethora of appealing DFS options to consider. Beginning with Denver, Nikola Jokic ($12,500) per usual is the No.1 option on the slate. The center has scored over 60 FPTS in eight of his past 10 starts and destroyed Charlotte for 83.25 FPTS when these clubs met earlier this month. Jamal Murray ($8,100) also comes into this game in great form and is a very valuable option tonight with him being shooting guard eligible. Murray is handling a 25.3% usage rate in the new year, and he is fresh off a season-high 74 FPTS explosion vs. the Trail Blazers, which is the fifth time in his last eight starts that he has eclipsed 40 FPTS. This also feels like a great time to buy low on Aaron Gordon ($5,000). Coming off the All-Star break, the veteran should be fully healthy and ready to get back to his usual large workload of over 30 minutes. Gordon is producing 0.9 FPTS per minute this season, and he should come with very little ownership.
The Hornets defeated the Lakers last night. LaMelo Ball ($9,800, ankle) didn’t miss a beat in his return after missing two of their last three. In 33 minutes, the guard finished with 45.25 FPTS. Ball ranks second only to Joel Embiid in usage this season and is scoring 1.5 FPTS per minute. Against this Denver team that ranks 20th in defensive efficiency, Ball is a terrific high-end option. Miles Bridges ($8,700) also went off for 50 FPTS vs. the Lakers and is a GPP spend that most won’t consider. Finally, Jusuf Nurkic ($4,300) needs to be considered at this season-low salary. In just his second game with Charlotte, Nurkic posted 26 FPTS in 18 minutes off the bench last night as the Hornets’ backup center behind Mark Williams ($8,500). Nurkic is amassing 1.3 FPTS per minute this season, and there is a chance he sees over 20 minutes tonight, as Williams could get in foul trouble trying to defend Jokic. Nonetheless, Nurkic is way underpriced for his upside and is a great punt play.
