Stan Son provides his thoughts and insights on DFS options for Thursday’s NBA slate on DraftKings.
There are five NBA games on Thursday’s slate.
CLE, MIN and WAS are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Gary Harris is probable. LeBron James, Alperen Sengun, Walker Kessler, John Collins, Jalen Suggs, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jerami Grant, Rayan Rupert, Steven Adams, Johnny Juzang, and Gabe Vincent are questionable. Anthony Davis, Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, There is one double-digit favorite: CLE -10 over ATL. There is no game within 3 points. There are two games with a total of at least 230: ATL/CLE (238.5) and HOU/MEM (235.5). There is one game with a total below 220: ORL/POR (210). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks ($7,600): This will be the second leg of a back-to-back for Cleveland, but Garland is sitting on Wednesday, so he should be well-rested for this one. Over the last four games, Garland has put up at least 40 FPTS in three with a high of 56.75 FPTS. He’s attempted over 20 shots in three of those contests while dishing out at least 7 assists in three games. Atlanta has been third in defensive rating over the last 10 games, but this game has a total of 238.5 with Cleveland favored by 10 points. Dyson Daniels will likely be guarding Donovan Mitchell.
Other Options: Anthony Edwards ($9,500), Austin Reaves ($8,500), Amen Thompson ($8,300), Dyson Daniels ($7,500)
Value
Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers at Washington Wizards ($3,900): Knecht is coming off a game in which he shot 8-of-13 from the field for 24 points, translating to 32.25 FPTS. It’s been a long time since he’s been relevant, but Knecht garnered more playing time and shot attempts due to the Anthony Davis injury. Davis is out for this one, so Knecht should elevate the offensive totem pole once again.
Other Options: Bilal Coulibaly ($5,500), Isaiah Collier ($5,500), Max Christie ($4,600), Max Strus ($4,500)
Forward
Stud
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers at Washington Wizards ($10,500): With Davis off the court this season, James has seen a 4.71% usage rate bump to 34.76%. He put up 53 FPTS last game with Davis out and had contributed at least 50 FPTS in four of the prior six games with a high of 62 FPTS. The matchup is a fantasy-friendly one as Washington has been playing at the second-fastest pace over the last 10 games while being dead-last in defensive rating.
Other Options: Amen Thompson ($8,300), Evan Mobley ($7,700), Julius Randle ($7,500), Kyle Kuzma ($6,400)
Value
Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves at Utah Jazz ($5,500): Over the last four games, McDaniels has put up at least 30 FPTS in all with a high of 50.5 FPTS. McDaniels is a low-usage player who is out there for his defense, but he’s become a threat on offense and has stuffed the goodie bag with plenty of rebounds and stocks. He’s also playing a ton of minutes, receiving at least 40 minutes in two of the last four games. Utah has been 25th in defensive rating over the last 10 games.
Other Options: Bilal Coulibaly ($5,500), Max Christie ($4,600), Max Strus ($4,500), Dalton Knecht ($3,900)
Center
Stud
Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers vs. Orlando Magic ($6,600): I kind of hate this, but kind of like it at the same time. The total for this game is a gross 210.5 and Orlando has been playing at the slowest pace over the last 10 games. That said, Ayton has played 34, 34 and 37 minutes over the last three games after being in the mid-to-high 20s. Portland showcasing him perhaps? Regardless, he’s getting the minutes and Ayton has been producing, finishing with 39.75, 46.75 and 46 FPTS over the last three games.
Other Options: Alperen Sengun ($9,000) if he plays, Evan Mobley ($7,700), Julius Randle ($7,500)
Value
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves at Utah Jazz ($5,600): Gobert hasn’t been great this season, and there have been flurries of inconsistency. Over the last three games, though, he’s finished with 37, 48.5 and 30 FPTS. Now he faces a Jazz team that is 25th in defensive rating and dead-last in opponent blocks per game at 6.4.
Other Options: Jonas Valanciunas ($5,700), Zach Edey ($4,700)
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