FanDuel NBA: Thursday Value Plays

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Published on March 3, 2022

We had another good night Wednesday, as the Devin Booker scratch offered some value along with our other endorsements. Let's try for more profit during Thursday's seven-game slate.

SLATE OVERVIEW

CHI (-4) @ ATL O/U: 231.5

MEM (-3) @ BOS O/U: 224

MIA (-3) @ BKN O/U: 224

TOR (-8.5) vs. DET O/U: 216.5

GSW (-2) @ DAL O/U: 219

SAS (-6) vs. SAC O/U: 238

LAC (-2.5) @ LAL O/U: 218.5

Vegas is screaming for exposure to the Spurs and Kings, but we didn't give much love to the game aside from one elite player. We also failed to mention the Chicago stars, but I think they are all in play against the Hawks. There isn't a game I am dead-set against, so I encourage you to go beyond these recommendations and look for more spots on the Grizzlies, Spurs and Raptors.

INJURIES

ATL Trae Young (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE

ATL John Collins (foot) - QUESTIONABLE

Collins is less likely to play, and Danilo Gallinari ($5,000) would likely start in his place again. Young played through the pain after sustaining his injury, but Delon Wright ($3,800) would be the starter if he misses.

BOS Jaylen Brown (ankle) - OUT

It's probably wisest to rate the starters a bit higher across the board, as I don't see a pivot that could offer much value.

MIA Kyle Lowry (personal) - OUT

If this tag holds, we've already seen Gabe Vincent ($4,900) and Tyler Herro ($6,400) take advantage of the absence. Both are solidly in play if Lowry is out.

BKN Kyrie Irving (home game) - OUT

I still like Seth Curry ($6,000) as the top option when the Nets play at home.

TOR Fred VanVleet (knee) - QUESTIONABLE

TOR OG Anunoby (finger) - QUESTIONABLE

If VanVleet misses, Malachi Flynn ($6,200) will probably draw the start. If Anunoby remains out, I will gladly pivot to Scottie Barnes ($6,600).

ELITE PLAYERS

the most popular spend-up player on the slate is probably Dejounte Murray ($9,600). He's a bargain below 10K, and now that he is green-lit for full action, there isn't a more consistent fantasy producer on the slate. He also faces a Sacramento squad that ranks dead last in defensive efficiency. LeBron James ($10,600) is also too good to fade as he continues to carry the load for the Lakers in a rivalry game in Crypto.com Arena.

With Jaylen Brown out, it's an excellent night to pay up for Jayson Tatum ($9,400), who will be engaged in a shootout against the Grizzlies. Ja Morant ($10,500) is a little pricey, but he's fresh from a career-high 52 points against the Spurs and could keep the ball rolling.

EXPECTED CHALK AND VALUE PLAYS

Pascal Siakam, TOR ($8,100) vs. DET

Although the Pistons have shown some improvement, I believe Siakam's imposing presence in the paint will be hard for Detroit to defend. Siakam lit up the Pistons for 44 and 50 FDFP already this season, and if he can replicate those numbers, he is a cinch to beat 5x value.

Reggie Jackson, LAC ($7,000) vs. LAL

This spot is a real gut check because none other than Russell Westbrook ($7,000) sits at Jackson's salary on the other end of this matchup. Westbrook's struggles with the Lakers are well-documented, and there's been so much bad press about the Lakers' troubles it might be enough motivation for Westbrook to turn back the clock. I, for one, am not convinced. I think the Clippers will take this game and make a big statement for the Western Conference pecking order. Jackson will be the one to lead them as he continues to put up monster excellent stat lines.

Clint Capela, ATL ($6,400) vs. CHI

Capela is an even stronger endorsement from me if Young and Collins remain out. Although the big man will be forced to do a bit more off-the-ball shot creation, he'll be an obvious assist target for whoever takes over the reins at point guard. When a backup has less familiarity with the flow of the first-unit offense, the center is usually the easy feed. That's excellent news for Capela.

Al Horford, BOS ($6,200) vs MEM

With the Celtics lining up against Jaren Jackson and Steven Adams, Boston could put Horford in at Jaylen Brown's position for a better size match. His salary is just a bit too high to take a risk on this hunch, but it's a risk I am willing to take in large-field tournaments. I also think Marcus Smart ($6,100) will get a bit more play in Brown's absence.

Trey Lyles, SAC ($4,700) @ SAN

Lyles was a universal disappointment for the sharks after a great spot start. The follow-up game could put him back into exposure obscurity, but the game script for the Kings is basically the same. I'm not super confident in this spot, but recent bias makes him a fair pivot.

De'Andre Hunter, ATL ($4,400) vs. CHI

I've always been a Hunter apologist, as I think he's one of the best raw talents in the league. The injury bug continues to plague him, but he's coming into this game healthy. He's primed for more output if Young is limited or absent.

Also consider: Jerami Grant, DET ($6,400) @ TOR, Caleb Martin, MIA ($3,600) @ BKN, Luke Kennard, LAC ($4,200) vs, LAL

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.