There are three NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
As for injuries, Michael Porter Jr. and Isaiah Stewart are questionable.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, NYK is -1 over DET on the road with the total at 213.5. OKC is -8.5 over MEM on the road with the total at 226.5. LAC is -5 over DEN at home with the total at 213.5.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks ($9,400): There are many good options up top at the position, but I have some concerns with many of them. With SGA, OKC may be too good, while Jalen Williams could siphon some offensive responsibility. He’s also the most expensive and likely won’t exceed 50 FPTS. James Harden plays alongside Kawhi Leonard. Jalen Brunson is an excellent scorer, but his fantasy upside is limited due to a lack of periphery stats. Cunningham is THE guy in Detroit. No question. He’s also a threat to triple-double and the crowd in Detroit should be raucous. Cunningham put up 56 FPTS in Game 2 and another 50-burger is likely on the menu once again. Dare I say a 60-burger?
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,000), James Harden ($9,000), Jalen Brunson ($8,600), Ja Morant ($7,600), Desmond Bane ($6,900)
Value
Kris Dunn, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets ($4,000): Dunn has started and played 29 and 31 minutes in the first two games of the series. He’s contributed a little something something in every statistical category so far and put up 20.25 and 24 FPTS. Sure, the ceiling is low because he’s a low-usage player, but the floor is relatively high. If you need salary, Dunn isn’t a bad floor option.
Other Options: Norman Powell ($5,600), Mikal Bridges ($5,400), Malik Beasley ($5,100), Lugentz Dort ($4,600), Dennis Schroder ($4,300)
Forward
Stud
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets ($8,500): The Kawhibot 2000 has been upgraded with the new operating system and guidance chips. He converted 15-of-19 from the field in Game 2 and finished with 57.75 FPTS. He looks healthy and, most importantly, has played 39 and 41 minutes in the first two games of the series. Leonard is going to get his. It’s just a matter of how much, and the price is palatable for the potential upside.
Other Options: Jalen Williams ($7,800), Chet Holmgren ($7,200), Desmond Bane ($6,900), Josh Hart ($6,700), OG Anunoby ($6,600), Tobias Harris ($6,100)
Value
Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons ($5,400): Bridges finished with 32.25 FPTS in Game 2, but he missed his last four shots late in the fourth quarter, which could ironically benefit his fantasy prospects for Game 3. The Pistons already made the adjustment in Game 2 of guarding Karl-Anthony Towns with Tobias Harris, then doubling. Bridges was a beneficiary of the strategy, attempting 18 shots, compared to nine in Game 1. The Pistons will likely continue that defense on Towns, since it was very effective, and try and limit Jalen Brunson. More than likely, Bridges will huck up over 20 shots in this one. He had some epic heaters during the regular season, but he’s also been very streaky. The opportunities should be there. The only question is if he makes the shots.
Other Options: Norman Powell ($5,600), Malik Beasley ($5,100), Lugentz Dort ($4,600)
Center
Stud
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies ($7,200): Normally, it’d be an autoclick on Jokic if he’s on the slate, but, as of the time of the writing, I’m thinking a more balanced approach may be the way. Jokic does have the highest floor/ceiling combo on the slate and he’s gone over 60 FPTS in the first two games of this series against the Clippers, but Los Angeles is one of the better defensive teams in the league, so I think the chances of a “had-to-have-it” game from Jokic are lowered. Holmgren has put up 46.25 and 43.5 FPTS in the first two games against Memphis, a team that plays fast. Memphis will also likely come out like a pack of banshees in Game 3 in front of their home crowd. Holmgren grabs boards, scores and racks up defensive stats. He’s going to get clean looks, especially with Zach Edey on the court. If this game stays competitive, Holmgren should play in the mid-to-high 30s, increasing the chances for a 50-burger.
Other Options: Nikola Jokic ($11,600), Jalen Duren ($6,300)
Value
Nicolas Batum, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets ($3,300): I do not like any of the value at center on this slate, so Batum it is. A ringing endorsement! Batum is a low-usage player who will likely only play around 20 minutes. He’s near the minimum, though, and has produced FPTS in the teens during his last five games. In the first two games of this series, Batum has put up 18 and 13.5 FPTS. This is truly a “break glass in need of salary” play.
