Stan Son provides his thoughts and insights on DFS options for Thursday’s NBA slate on DraftKings.
There are four NBA games on Thursday’s main slate. No teams are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
This article was written on Wednesday night. Any changes will be updated. Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons vs. Miami Heat ($10,200)
Cade Cunningham is the catalyst for the resurgent Detroit Pistons. He is a threat to log a triple-double on any given night and has accomplished the feat three times this season. Over his last eight games, Cunningham has put up over 50 FPTS six times, with two outings topping 60 FPTS. Miami is playing at the fastest pace in the league, so there should be plenty of opportunities for Cunningham to rack up fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Tyrese Maxey ($9,500), James Harden ($9,100), Keyonte George ($8,200), Derrick White ($7,700), Norman Powell ($7,000), VJ Edgecombe ($6,400), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($6,100)
Value
Brandon Williams, Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($4,400)
The range of outcomes is wide for Williams because we don’t know how many minutes he will play. He’s not a good outside shooter, and Ryan Nembhard is a more effective conductor of the offense. However, he’s logged 30 minutes in back-to-back contests and produced 33.8 fantasy points in each outing. He has juice and can break down defenses when the Mavs are trailing, and that game script could be presented once again on Thursday.
Other Options: Naji Marshall ($5,400), Kris Dunn ($4,700), Max Christie ($4,500), Duncan Robinson ($4,300)
Forward
Stud
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz ($9,600)
Ever since Brook Lopez replaced Ivica Zubac in the lineup, Leonard has gone bonkers — putting up at least 54 FPTS in all five games with two over 60 and a high of 90.2 FPTS. Lopez spaces the floor out, which provides more room for Leonard to operate in the paint. The matchup is a fantastic one, as Utah ranks fourth in pace, 29th in defensive rating, and 14th in offensive rating.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($9,700), Lauri Markkanen ($8,000), Cooper Flagg ($7,400), Norman Powell ($7,000), Andrew Wiggins ($6,300), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($6,100)
Value
Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons ($4,300)
Since returning from injury, Jovic has put up 26.2, 42.8, and 37 FPTS. In that span, his playing time has gradually increased from 21 minutes to 26 minutes, and Jovic has provided plenty of points and rebounds with a few steals. The real eye-openers, though, are his four, seven, and five dimes. Detroit isn’t a good matchup, but Miami plays fast, and it looks like Jovic is getting more comfortable in the offense.
Other Options: Naji Marshall ($5,400), Max Christie ($4,500), Nique Clifford ($4,200)
Center
Stud
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks ($8,500)
It took a few games for Embiid to get ramped up, but it looks like he’s ready to go. We may never get vintage Embiid again, but this version is still pretty, pretty good. He has put up at least 40 FPTS in five straight games, including two over 50 and a high of 64.5 FPTS. He played a season-high 38 minutes on Tuesday. And minutes are half the battle — yo, Joe!
Other Options: Anthony Davis ($9,400), Bam Adebayo ($7,500), Jalen Duren ($7,300), Jusuf Nurkic ($6,200)
Value
Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings vs. Boston Celtics ($6,000)
Since late November, Raynaud has been a significant part of Sacramento’s rotation. With Domantas Sabonis out, and the Kings pretty much in development mode, his playing time is secure. The only way he doesn’t play is injury, foul trouble, or the Golden 1 Center springing a leak. Raynaud has put up at least 30 FPTS in six of his last seven games with a high of 50.8 FPTS.
Other Options: Brook Lopez ($5,300), Neemias Queta ($5,200), Nikola Jovic ($4,300)
