Six games, 12 teams and, thankfully, 12 submitted injury reports. That’s the scenario for tonight’s featured NBA DFS slate on DraftKings.
Do you want to know the best matchups? The highest implied game totals? The best value picks? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive in.
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Key Injury News
QUESTIONABLE: Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Paul George, Josh Giddey, Bennedict Mathurin, Cole Anthony, Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, Kevin Huerter, Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams, Justin Edwards
DOUBTFUL: Nikola Vucevic
OUT: Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Fred VanVleet, Al Horford
Click here for the slate’s full and updated injury report
Matchup Analysis
Best Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)
- Golden State Warriors at BRK (106.8)
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. NYK (107.4)
- Houston Rockets at NOP (110.3)
Worst Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)
- Philadelphia 76ers at BOS (120.2)
- Chicago Bulls at ORL (118.6)
- New York Knicks at LAL (118.5)
Fastest Pace (Last 10 Games)
- Atlanta Hawks vs. IND (103.4)
- Chicago Bulls at ORL (102.3)
- Houston Rockets at NOP (100.7)
Slowest Pace (Last 10 Games)
- Boston Celtics vs. PHI (95.6)
- Orlando Magic vs. CHI (96.7)
- Brooklyn Nets vs. GSW (97.5)
Highest Game Total
- Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks (248.5)
- Houston Rockets at New Orleans Pelicans (231)
- New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers (230.5)
Top DFS Pick
PF Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic vs. Chicago Bulls, $8,900
The Magic need to start winning games and that desperation has started to translate into some massive workloads and performances for Banchero. In Orlando’s past three contests, the former first-overall pick is averaging a whopping 38.3 minutes. It’s probably not a coincidence that this is the same stretch where Banchero has twice scored 41 points, including Tuesday’s loss to Toronto, where the forward added eight assists, eight rebounds and four steals for 73.5 FPTS. All of this is even more impressive when you consider that the Magic operate at the league’s second-slowest pace — though that might not be an issue on Thursday. The Bulls present an ideal matchup. They’re uptempo and awful at defense. For the season as a whole, Chicago is surrendering the fifth-most FPTS per game to opposing power forwards. If ever there was a night where Orlando might flirt with 120 points, it’s this evening. That obviously raises the ceiling of Banchero and Franz Wagner ($8,600). Act accordingly.
Top Value Pick
Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers, $5,500
Look, I’m obviously going to list some stats here in a moment, but let’s be honest. You don’t really need me to tell you that Pritchard is a great play on Thursday. The man is less than 24 hours removed from scoring 43 points with 10 rebounds and five assists against the Blazers. However, despite that performance, Pritchard’s salary is only up $200. The Celtics are once again going to have an injury-depleted rotation, as Jaylen Brown (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (illness), Jrue Holiday (finger) and Al Horford (toe) have all been ruled out — not to mention a questionable tag for Jayson Tatum ($10,100; shoulder). Pritchard won’t start, as he continues to strengthen his case for Sixth Man of the Year, but he should likely flirt with 40 minutes of action. This is a wonderful matchup, too. Philadelphia owns the NBA’s worst defensive rating across their past 10 games. Don’t overthink it.
