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. CHA, CHI and UTA 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
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls ($7,200)
Herro played his first game since early December on Tuesday. He only played 29 minutes but that was due to a blowout. I think there’s a good chance he gets over 30 minutes in this one. If so, the setup is a nice one, as both teams play fast with Miami first in pace while Chicago is third. In addition, Chicago is 24th in defensive rating. A 40 or even a 50-burger wouldn’t surprise.
Other Options: Anthony Edwards ($9,500), Donovan Mitchell ($9,100), Norman Powell ($7,100), Andrew Nembhard ($7,000), Kon Knueppel ($6,400), Tre Jones ($6,100)
Value
Brandon Williams, Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz ($4,700)
The point guard situation in Dallas has been all over the map this season. Cooper Flagg started the season at point guard, but he had some struggles so Williams, D’Angelo Russell and Ryan Nembhard had their turns. Well, Flagg has gotten more comfortable so Jason Kidd has gone back to the big lineup with the No. 1 pick at point guard. Russell has been a DNP while Williams has been the microwave off the bench. Over the last five games, he’s put up at least 27 FPTS in all with three of those outings over 30 FPTS. He’s been on quite the heater though, converting 58% of his field goal attempts, so he’s going to regress at some point. That said, the matchup is a good one as Utah is dead-last in defensive rating and fourth in pace.
Other Options: Naji Marshall ($5,100), Sam Merrill ($5,000), Max Christie ($4,400), Johnny Furphy ($3,600)
Forward
Stud
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz ($9,300)
As mentioned in the above Williams section, Utah plays fast and eschews defense. In addition, the Jazz are able to score points, forcing opponents to keep up. Davis averages 1.41 FPTS per minute but playing time is never guaranteed. That said, one can never predict injury, so if he plays, Davis should feast in this matchup.
Other Options: Cooper Flagg ($7,500), Miles Bridges ($7,300), Norman Powell ($7,100)
Value
Johnny Furphy, Indiana Pacers at Charlotte Hornets ($3,600)
Furphy played 30 minutes on Tuesday, finishing with nine points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal, good for 28.2 FPTS. I have no idea if he gets 30 minutes again as he received 13 and 14 minutes in the prior two games. The Pacers have been trying a plethora of options at center with Jay Huff and Micah Potter. Isaiah Jackson is still out due to injury. Furphy has been playing small-ball center with success. I think the price is worth the upside, especially since Ryan Kalkbrenner is likely out. Furphy will likely be facing the smaller Moussa Diabate, who isn’t much of a threat down on the block.
Other Options: Matas Buzelis ($6,000), Aaron Nesmith ($5,700), Ayo Dosunmu ($5,700), Nikola Jovic ($5,200), Naji Marshall ($5,200), Sam Merrill ($5,000), Max Christie ($4,400)
Center
Stud
Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat ($8,200)
The matchup isn’t the greatest as Miami has Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware in the front court. That said, both teams play fast so there should be plenty of opportunities for fantasy goodies. In addition, the Bulls are missing Jalen Smith and Zach Collins, so Vucevic should see playing time in the mid-30s. Vucevic has put up 48.2 and 51.2 FPTS in the last two games.
Other Options: Anthony Davis ($9,300), Bam Adebayo ($7,300), Jusuf Nurkic ($7,000), Kel’el Ware ($6,500)
Value
Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls ($5,200)
Jovic isn’t starting but he’s been an important player off the bench. The shooting efficiency hasn’t been great, but he’s finished with double-digit points in five of the last seven games while chipping in a little something in every statistical category. That’s resulted in at least 20 FPTS in each of the last seven games with two of those over 40 FPTS. The game environment should be a fantasy-friendly one as both teams play fast and Chicago is one of the poorer defensive teams in the league.
Other Options: Daniel Gafford ($4,300), PJ Hall ($4,100) if he starts
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