There are two NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
As for injuries, Isaiah Stewart is questionable.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, DET is -2 over NYK at home with the total at 212.5. LAC is -6.5 over DEN at home with the total at 211.5.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks ($9,700): Cade finished with 45.5 FPTS in Game 1, as he shot 38% from the field and did not rack up any defensive stats. Since then, he’s gone for at least 50 FPTS in all, stuffing the stat sheet and notching a triple-double in Game 4. He is the Alpha and Omega for the Pistons, garnering a usage rate over 30%. With an elimination game in front of what should be a raucous home crowd, another 50-burger is very likely, with the possibility of more. He’s already gone over 60 FPTS twice in this series. The floor/ceiling combo is the best at the position.
Other Options: James Harden ($8,700)
Value
Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers ($5,300): My initial thought was to go with THJ, who is much cheaper and returns to Detroit, where the shooting efficiency has been much better. But he is so one-dimensional and, if his shot isn’t falling, there is little hope for fantasy relevance. Braun has attempted double-digit shots only twice in this series, but the looks he gets are usually high quality because they often come off cuts and in transition. He also is a good rebounder and racks up some defensive stats. Braun has put up at least 20 FPTS in all but one game this series, with the two most recent contests each over 35 FPTS.
Other Options: Norman Powell ($5,500), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,400)
Forward
Stud
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets ($8,200): Beep. Boop. Bop. The Kawhibot 2025 has been functioning like a well-oiled machine in these playoffs. The joints are well lubricated, while the guidance chips have been functioning at a high level. The usage level isn’t high, considering his superstar status, but he’s so efficient with his opportunities that it doesn’t matter much. Since the 35.5 FPTS outing in Game 1, Kawhi has put up at least 40 FPTS in every contest, with two over 55 FPTS, which includes Game 5, missing a triple-double by one measly rebound.
Other Options: Josh Hart ($7,000), OG Anunoby ($6,400)
Value
Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers ($5,700): This season has truly been a weird one for Gordon. He’s a career 33% from downtown, but drilled 43% during the regular season. He’s a career 69% shooter from the free throw line, but converted 81% during the regular season. Through five games in the playoffs, he’s shooting 40% from beyond the arc and 85% from the line. Crazy. I guess the regression monster is either in Cancun or Gordon has truly leveled up. In the five games against the Clippers, Gordon has put up at least 23 FPTS in all, with three over 30 FPTS. He’s going to continue getting good looks playing alongside Jokic while he does decent work on the boards. Gordon doesn’t dish out many dimes or rack up defensive stats, but the points and rebounds have provided a relatively high floor.
Other Options: Tobias Harris ($5,800), Aaron Gordon ($5,700), Norman Powell ($5,500), Christian Braun ($5,300), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,400)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers ($11,600): Jokic “only” went for 53.5 FPTS in Game 5. Considering the price, it was a disappointment. He only shot 4-of-13 from the field. It happens, yet he still notched a triple-double. His floor is the ceiling for most, but the floor/ceiling combo is the best in the game. In the first four games of the series, Jokic put up over 60 FPTS in all, with a high of 82.25 FPTS. He has a 100-FPTS ceiling, and it’s a level that no one else on the slate can match. It comes down to roster construction, but on a two-game slate, raw points matter.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,500), Jalen Duren ($6,500)
Value
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons ($3,800): More often than not, sauntering down Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood is not going to be a pleasant experience. The playing time will be low while everything is reliant on blocks and boards. But who doesn’t like a good block party? Robinson has blocked two shots in two games, but provided bagels in the other three. That said, he did play 23 minutes in Game 5, producing 13 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. The range of outcomes is wide but if you like to live dangerously, then take a stroll down Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood.
Other Options: Aaron Gordon ($5,700)
