DraftKings NBA: Thursday Cheat Sheet

DraftKings NBA: Thursday Cheat Sheet

This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.

Slate Overview

CHI (-4) at ATL, O/U: 231.5

MEM (-3.5) at BOS, O/U: 224

MIA (-3.5) at BKN, O/U: 221 

DET at TOR (-8,5), O/U: 216.5 

GSW (-2) at DAL, O/U: 219

SAC at SAS (-6.5), O/U: 237.5 

LAL at LAC (-3), O/U: 218.5

The Raptors and Bulls benefit from matchups against opponents with weaker defenses. 

Kings-Spurs is expected to be a high-scoring matchup and has plenty of good options on both sides to make the most of a large score. 

Look out for relatively low-priced picks from the Clippers, including Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann and Marcus Morris, who have been playing well and will be motivated to come up big against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. 

Injuries to Monitor 

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

Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White continue to play big minutes. 

ATL - Trae Young (ankle), John Collins (foot): Questionable 

Delon Wright and Danilo Gallinari will have to step up in place of Young and Collins. 

MEM - John Konchar (ankle): Questionable
Dillon Brooks (ankle): OUT

Ziaire Williams continues to start. De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson are up for a boost off the bench. 

BOS - Jaylen Brown (ankle): OUT

Derrick White will get the start. 

MIA - Kyle Lowry (personal): Questionable

Gabe Vincent would get another start. 

BKN - Kyrie Irving (not injury related), Ben Simmons (back), Joe Harris (ankle): OUT

Patty Mills, Seth Curry and Bruce Brown are in line to step up. 

DET - Marvin Bagley (ankle): Questionable 

Kelly Olynyk will get more playing time. 

TOR - OG Anunoby (finger), Fred VanVleet (knee): Questionable

Malachi Flynn would have to step up in place of VanVleet. Precious Achiuwa and Thaddeus Young will get more action if Anunoby is out. 

GSW - Damion Lee (quadriceps): Questionable
Draymond Green (back), Andre Iguodala (back): OUT

Gary Payton continues to start, while Otto Porter and Jonathan Kuminga are up for added playing time. Jordan Poole will get a boost if Lee is out. 

DAL - Trey Burke (shoulder), Frank Ntilikina (ankle): Questionable 
Marquese Chriss (knee), Tim Hardaway (foot): OUT

Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans will see added minutes. 

SAC - Richaun Holmes (back): Questionable

Trey Lyles and Maurice Harkless will pick up more action. 

SAS - Doug McDermott (knee): Questionable 

Josh Richardson and Lonnie Walker would get extra playing time. 

LAL - Avery Bradley (knee), LeBron James (knee): Questionable
Anthony Davis (foot): OUT

Austin Reaves and Malik Monk are expected to start at the wings. Stanley Johnson, Carmelo Anthony and Trevor Ariza have to step up without Davis. 

Elite Players

Guards

Dejounte Murray ($10,600)

Murray goes up against the Kings who are giving up 115.0 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot an average of 47.6 percent from the field, which are both second most in the league. Murray topped 60 DK points three times over the last six games, including one game with 80 DK points. 

Zach LaVine ($8,000)

LaVine has an advantage in his matchup against the Hawks' backcourt defense. LaVine is averaging 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in three games since returning from a three-game absence. 

Forwards/Centers

Jayson Tatum ($10,000)

Tatum has to step up for the Celtics in the absence of Jaylen Brown, and he has an advantage in his individual matchups against the Grizzlies' forwards. Tatum is averaging 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games, and he logged 54 DK points in his last outing. 

Pascal Siakam ($9,200)

Siakam has a favorable matchup against the Pistons who are giving up an average of 112.7 points per game, which is fifth most in the league. They also allow opponents to shoot an average of 47.6 percent from the field, which is second highest in the league. Siakam topped 50 DK points three times in the last 10 games. 

Domantas Sabonis ($9,700)

Sabonis is averaging 18.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.0 steals in seven games since joining the Kings. He has an advantageous matchup against the Spurs, as they are giving up an average of 112.8 points per game, which is fourth most in the league. They also give up the fifth most rebounds per game. 

Expected Chalk 

DeMar DeRozan ($10,300)

DeRozan is averaging 35.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals over the last 10 games, including one outing where he logged 67.3 DK points. He has an advantage against the Hawks, who allow opponents to shoot an average of 46.5 percent from the field, which is among the highest in the league. 

Value Picks 

Malik Monk ($4,700)

Monk logged 31.3 DK points in the last game, and he is up for another start for the Lakers. 

Reggie Bullock ($4,400)

Bullock is averaging 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.1 steals over the last 10 games, including two games where he topped 40 DK points. 

Javonte Green ($3,900)

Green is averaging 10.8 points, 4,4 rebounds and 1.2 assists over the last 10 games, and he topped 29 DK points seven times over that span. 

Brandon Clarke ($4,300)

Clarke is averaging 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and just under 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games, including four games where he surpassed 33 DK points. 

Kevon Looney ($4,400)

Looney is averaging 7.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games. He topped 30 DK points two times in the last four games, including 33.5 DK points the last time the Warriors faced the Mavs. 

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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