Yesterday was wild. We had to navigate through 13 games, and it made for one of the highest-scoring slates of the season. I had an average day, but the article went pretty well. We’re back to a much smaller slate here, so let’s go ahead and get into it!
We have another three-game slate for this Thursday’s card. If you read Tuesday’s article, you know these short slates are my favorite. This one is perfect, and I feel like I have a great read on what’s going on. There’s a lot to discuss, though, so let’s go ahead and get into it!
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Schedule and Odds
- UTA at PHI (UTA -2.5) O/U: 217
- LAL at MEM (LAL -2.5) O/U: 222.5
- DEN at SAS (DEN -1.5) O/U: 214
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Injury Report
Core Plays
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,800 DraftKings, $11,100 FanDuel
Joker is quite simply the best player in fantasy. He led the NBA with nearly 60 DraftKings points per game last season and is backing it up with a 57-point average this year. That makes him the easiest choice on a three-game slate, especially with Jokic dropping at least 53 fantasy points in 11 of his last 12 games. We also don’t mind that San Antonio plays at the fifth-fastest pace in the NBA, either.
Yesterday was wild. We had to navigate through 13 games, and it made for one of the highest-scoring slates of the season. I had an average day, but the article went pretty well. We’re back to a much smaller slate here, so let’s go ahead and get into it!
We have another three-game slate for this Thursday’s card. If you read Tuesday’s article, you know these short slates are my favorite. This one is perfect, and I feel like I have a great read on what’s going on. There’s a lot to discuss, though, so let’s go ahead and get into it!
Get a $5 bonus when you make your first deposit at FanDuel
Schedule and Odds
- UTA at PHI (UTA -2.5) O/U: 217
- LAL at MEM (LAL -2.5) O/U: 222.5
- DEN at SAS (DEN -1.5) O/U: 214
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Injury Report
Core Plays
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): $11,800 DraftKings, $11,100 FanDuel
Joker is quite simply the best player in fantasy. He led the NBA with nearly 60 DraftKings points per game last season and is backing it up with a 57-point average this year. That makes him the easiest choice on a three-game slate, especially with Jokic dropping at least 53 fantasy points in 11 of his last 12 games. We also don’t mind that San Antonio plays at the fifth-fastest pace in the NBA, either.
Anthony Davis (PF/C – LAL): $10,000 DraftKings, $10,000 FanDuel
AD is one of the best options in fantasy, scoring at least 46 DK points in seven of his last eight games. He’s also got a 52-point average in that span, a superb total from a $10K player. We love all of that since Davis has legitimate 80-point upside, particularly against a Memphis team that ranks 25th in defensive efficiency.
Dejounte Murray (PG – SAS): $9,700 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
Murray has become a Russell Westbrook-type player, flirting with triple-doubles on a nightly basis. The Spurs guard averages 18.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He’s been even better recently, scoring at least 47 fantasy points in nine of his last 11 games. We couldn’t ask for a better matchup either, with the Lakers sitting 29th in total defense.
Cash Game Considerations
LeBron James (SF – LAL): $10,100 DraftKings, $10,400 FanDuel
It’s weird that LeBron has remained so affordable. The 20-year vet is in the midst of another sensational stretch, averaging 31 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.2 steals over his last five games played. That equates to a 52-point average, and he should continue that Memphis sitting 25th in defensive efficiency and 24th in points allowed.
Dillon Brooks (SG/SF – MEM): $6,200 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel
DB is the playmaker in the absence of Ja Morant, leading the club with a 32 percent usage rate. That’s scary since this dude hucks up shots at will, averaging 25 shots per 36 minutes played. That has led to him averaging 28.3 DK points per game across 26 minutes a night for the season. That 26-minute total might worry you, but he was limited in his return from injury. We fully anticipate him playing between 35-40 minutes here, making him a good bet for 40 fantasy points.
Rudy Gobert (C – UTA): $9,400 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel
We talked about this yesterday, and we’re going right back to the well. The simple fact is, Gobert is probably the best bet for a sub-$10K player to reach 35 fantasy points. We say that because he’s got at least 34 DraftKings points in 20 of 22 games this season. That’s an absurd floor from someone in this price range, especially since he will be asked to play 35-40 minutes here to oppose Joel Embiid. In their one matchup earlier this season. Gobert gobbled up 47.3 DK points, despite playing just 28 minutes.
GPP Targets
Jaren Jackson Jr (PF/C – MEM): $7,000 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
JJJ is helping Brooks run things in Memphis with Morant out of the lineup, generating a 31 percent usage rate with him off the floor. That’s led to one of the best stretches of his career, averaging 34 DK points per game across 28 minutes a night over his last eight outings. Those 28 minutes are likely his floor because the Grizzlies have had a ton of blowouts in that stretch. That has kept JJJ’s price a bit too low, and we love that against one of the worst defenses in the NBA.
Shake Milton (PG/SG – PHI): $5,000 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
With Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and Embiid all nicked up, Philly may be shorthanded here in the second half of a back-to-back set. If any of those guys are missing, Milton should be looking at a much more significant role. Shake has been stellar when given the opportunity this season, averaging 29.2 DK points per game in the eight outings he’s played at least 24 minutes.
Steven Adams (C – MEM): $5,100 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
This season, Adams has been all over the map, but he’s starting to play better recently. The big man has scored at least 20 fantasy points in six straight fixtures, averaging 31 fantasy points per game in that span. You can’t ask for any more from a sub-$6K player, and he should play big minutes to oppose this large Lakers frontline.
Value Plays
Jakob Poeltl (C – SAS): $6,400 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel
I don’t understand why Poeltl remains below $7,000 on both sites. Outside of his first game back from COVID, Poeltl has been one of the most reliable centers in the NBA. In fact, Jakob has at least 27 DK points in 13 of the other 15 games, posting a 36-point average across those 13 outings. That’s a ridiculous total from someone in this price range, especially with Denver owning a 16th OPRK against opposing centers.
Dwight Howard (C – LAL): $4,400 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel
This is a risky option, but something tells me Howard will start here. The Lakers tend to ride Howard when they face a traditional center, and Adams is undoubtedly one of those guys. It’s the recent form that makes Dwight a dandy option, averaging 24.4 DK points per game across 23 minutes a night over his last three outings. That would make Howard one of the value picks of the day against one of the most pitiful defenses in the NBA.
Tyus Jones (PG – MEM): $6,000 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
We already talked about how Jackson and Brooks have stepped up in the absence of Morant, but Brooks has been the direct beneficiary. He’s the one starting for Morant, scoring at least 22 DK points in all six starts he’s made. Tyus is also averaging 29 DK points per game across 29 minutes a night in that span and should continue to see most of the ball-handling for this team.
Advantageous Pricing
- Jaren Jackson Jr (PF/C – MEM): $7,000 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
- Derrick White (PG/SG – SAS): $6,300 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
- Mike Conley (PG – UTA): $5,800 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
- De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – MEM): $4,600 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel
- Will Barton (SG/SF – DEN): $6,800 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
- Jeff Green (SF/PF – DEN): $4,800 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
