DraftKings NBA: Thursday Cheat Sheet

DraftKings NBA: Thursday Cheat Sheet

This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.

Slate Overview

CLE (-7.5) at DET, O/U: 209

BOS (-7) at BKN, O/U: 213.5

ATL at CHI (-4), O/U: 234.5

MEM (-3) at MIN, O/U: 239

PHX (-9.5) at OKC, O/U: 215

GSW (-9.5) at POR, O/U: 223.5

DEN (-4.5) at SAC, O/U: 232.5

Grizzlies-Timberwolves is expected to be a high-scoring matchup and features a good selection of picks through all price tiers. 

Ja Morant and Karl-Anthony Towns are by far the highest-priced players on their teams, but they have both been playing well and have the advantage at their respective positions. 

The Timberwolves' D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards make excellent mid-priced options and can easily turn out top-tier numbers. Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaden McDaniels are priced for value. 

On the Grizzlies' side, Jaren Jackson and Desmond Bane are modestly priced in the middle salary range, while Ziaire Williams, Kyle Anderson, De'Anthony Melton and Tyus Jones are solid value options. 

Injuries to Monitor 

CLE - Darius Garland (back), Caris LeVert (foot): OUT

Rajon Rondo ad Isaac Okoro will play major roles in the backcourt. 

BKN - Goran Dragic (not injury related), Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle), Kyrie Irving (not injury related), Ben Simmons (not injury related): OUT

Patty Mills, Bruce Brown and Kessler Edwards will get a boost, while Seth Curry and Andre Drummond will see increased opportunity. 

ATL - John Collins (foot): Doubtful

Danilo Gallinari is up for another start. 

CHI - Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist): OUT

Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White will continue to play big minutes. 

MEM - Dillon Brooks (ankle): OUT 

Ziaire Williams gets another start. 

PHX  - Chris Paul (thumb), Cameron Payne (wrist): OUT

Aaron Holiday is up for a starting role, while Elfrid Payton should also see a boost. 

OKC - Luguentz Dort (shoulder), Ty Jerome (hip), Mike Muscala (ankle), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot), Kenrich Williams (knee): OUT

Darius Bazley, Isaiah Roby and Aaron Wiggins will get more action. 

GSW - Andre Iguodala (back): OUT
Draymond Green (back): OUT

Jonathan Kuminga and Otto Porter have to step up.

POR - Damian Lillard (abdomen), Jusuf Nurkic (foot) and Eric Bledsoe (achilles): OUT

Anfernee Simons continues to start in place of Lillard. Trendon Watford is expected to start in place of Nurkic, while CJ Elleby, Justise Winslow and Josh Hart will also play key roles.   

SAC - Terence Davis (wrist): OUT

Davion Mitchell will pick up additional minutes. 

Elite Players

Guards

Stephen Curry ($10,200)

Curry has an advantage against the Trail Blazers, who are missing a couple key backcourt players. Curry averaged 26.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists over his last five games and topped 50 DK points in three of his last 10 games. 

Devin Booker ($8,800)

Booker has an advantageous matchup against the Thunder, and he has to step up in the absence of Chris Paul. Booker is averaging 25.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game, and he surpassed 43 DK points in six of the last 10 games. 

Forwards/Centers

Jaylen Brown ($8,500)

Brown has a size advantage in the backcourt against the Nets. He accounted for 45 DK points in each of his last two games, and he is averaging 22.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals, over the last 10 games. 

DeMar DeRozan ($10,700)

DeRozan was on fire heading into the break, averaging 35.8 points on 57 percent shooting over the last 10 games. He topped 52 DK points in six of the last seven games, including one outing where he logged 67.3 DK points. He has an advantage against the Hawks' defense. 

Nikola Vucevic ($10,100)

With the absence of John Collins, Vucevic has an advantage against the Hawks' frontcourt. Vucevic averaged 24.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 blocks over the last 10 games, and he topped 54 DK points five times over that span, including one game where he totaled 70.8 DK points. 

Expected Chalk 

Nikola Jokic ($12,500)

Jokic has an advantage against the Kings, who allow an average of 114.9 points against, which is second most in the league. They also allow opponents to shoot an average of 47.5 percent from the field, which is third highest in the league. Jokic generated 70.8 DK points in his last game, and he has averaged 26.6 points, 14.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.0 blocks over the last five games. 

Value Picks 

Aaron Holiday ($3,700)   

Holiday will pick up significant playing time in the absence of Chris Paul

Justin Holiday ($4,200)

Holiday continues to start for the Kings, and he is averaging 10.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks through four games with his new squad. 

Aaron Wiggins ($3,600)

Wiggins will play a key role and pick up additional playing time, as the Thunder remain shorthanded. 

Jeff Green ($4,200)

Green is averaging 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists over the last five games, and he has a favorable matchup against the Kings. 

Trendon Watford ($3,400)

Watford is expected to start in place of Nurkic. Over the last 10 games, Watford averaged 6.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists, in just under 18 minutes per game. 

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Dan Bruno plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: duelingdan.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Bruno
Dan has been writing all things NBA for RotoWire since 2014. He is an active fantasy sports player, with a love for DFS. Dan is a certified Coach with the Ontario Basketball Association and is a recreation professional in his home city.
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