This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
POR vs. MIA (-3.5), O/U: 218.5
WAS vs. NY (-3), O/U: 225.5
LAC (-6.5) vs SA, O/U: 222
GS vs. SAC (-2.5), O/U: 224.5
PHI (-5) vs. LAL, O/U: 211.5
Thursday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST and includes five games. Stephen Curry (tailbone) and Serge Ibaka (back) remain out, while Goran Dragic (back), Derrick Rose (conditioning) and Seth Curry (ankle) are listed as questionable. The trade deadline didn't cause the chaos it was expected to yesterday but prepare for news to have a big impact tonight as trades are likely to open up some unexpected cheap value.
The GS-SAC matchup is an appealing game to target, and doing so would allow for flexibility to deal with any trade news as it tips off last at 10:00 p.m. EST. De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton are likely to be popular options on the Kings' side while the Warriors are still without Stephen Curry, so the likes of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins are in play as well. All of the Kings starters are viable as they play a condensed rotation that could even be made a bit tighter after they traded top backup Cory Joseph yesterday.
Injuries to Monitor
LeBron James (ankle): OUT
James is expected to miss several weeks with a sprained ankle. Kyle Kuzma ($6,800), Devontae Cacok ($3,000) and Markieff Morris ($4,700) started in the frontcourt last time out.
Stephen Curry (tailbone): OUT
Curry will miss another week due to inflammation in his tailbone. Jordan Poole ($6,100) has been starting point guard in his absence.
Goran Dragic (back): QUESTIONABLE
Dragic has missed consecutive games due to back spasms and is listed as questionable for tonight. Kendrick Nunn ($4,600) started and played 35 minutes last time out.
Derrick Rose (conditioning): QUESTIONABLE
Rose hasn't played since Feb. 28th but has a chance to return tonight. Immanuel Quickley ($5,500) has seen increased run in his absence.
Seth Curry (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Curry has missed three consecutive games with a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable for tonight. Furkan Korkmaz ($4,100) has been starting at shooting guard in his place.
Serge Ibaka (back): OUT
Ibaka will miss a sixth consecutive game tonight as he continues to deal with a back injury. Ivica Zubac ($5,600) will continue to start at center.
Elite Players
Center:
Julius Randle ($10,200)
Randle is the only spend-up option at center tonight, and he's in a great spot again as the Knicks will run it back against the Wizards after blowing them out on Tuesday. Randle has topped 60 DK points in three of his last six games, and I'd expect him to be quite popular tonight with the lack of appealing spend-up options across the board.
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($10,900)
Westbrook is the most expensive player on the slate, and he would be a contrarian option tonight as his salary has reached a season-high, and the Wizards aren't in a good spot in a rematch with the Knicks. Damian Lillard ($10,000) would be another contrarian spend-up option. He's struggled a bit of late as he's failed to reach 50 DK points in four consecutive games since CJ McCollum returned to the lineup.
De'Aaron Fox ($8,700) is my preferred option at guard tonight. He's been incredibly consistent as he's scored at least 43 DK points in eight of his last nine games. The Kings have a favorable matchup against the Warriors, and Fox has seen his salary drop to its lowest point in 10 games. I'd expect him to be popular.
Forward:
Kawhi Leonard ($8,800) and Jimmy Butler ($9,000)
Leonard is coming off 48.75 DK points against his old team yesterday, and the Clippers and Spurs will run it back tonight. Butler is the most expensive small forward on the slate, but he hasn't been as consistent since Bam Adebayo returned from injury. Both guys still have the upside to be the night's highest scorer, especially with the lack of appealing spend-up options, but I'll likely be paying up at other positions instead.
Expected Chalk
De'Aaron Fox ($8,700)
Julius Randle ($10,200) will be a popular spend-up option at center, but other than him, there are a lack of elite options to choose from. Fox has seen his salary reach its lowest point in 10 games, and the Kings are in a good spot tonight against the Warriors. He's coming off 50 DK points last night, and he's been consistent as he's scored at least 43 DK points in eight of his last nine games.
Tyrese Haliburton ($6,000)
Haliburton has put up at least 36 DK points in consecutive games as he seems to be finding form after entering the starting lineup last week. He's played 36 minutes in back-to-back games, and playing time will be even more secure after the Kings traded Cory Joseph yesterday.
Value Picks
RJ Barrett ($6,800)
Barrett has scored at least 34 DK points in five of his last six games, and he's seen at least 39 minutes in four straight. The Knicks are playing in a pace-up spot tonight against the Wizards.
Andrew Wiggins ($6,700)
Wiggins should continue to benefit from increased usage in the absence of Stephen Curry. He's coming off a complete dud last time out, and that could lessen his popularity for a favorable matchup against the Kings.
Buddy Hield ($6,500) and Harrison Barnes ($6,300)
Hield and Barnes continue to see big minutes as the Kings play a condensed rotation. They're in a good spot tonight against the Warriors in a game that tips off in the final time slot at 10:00 p.m. EST.
Jordan Poole ($6,100)
Poole has played at least 34 minutes in each of three consecutive starts in place of the injured Stephen Curry. He's seen a significant bump in salary but still should be good value with the Warriors in a good spot against the Kings tonight.
Mitchell Robinson ($5,100)
Robinson put up 40.5 DK points in 31 minutes last time out in his second game back following an extended injury absence. The Knicks have the same matchup against the Wizards, and I'd expect him to be a relatively popular value play at center.
Kendrick Nunn ($4,600)
Nunn scored 32.75 DK points while playing 35 minutes last time out as the Heat were without Goran Dragic. If Dragic misses again, Nunn's salary is still very affordable for tonight's matchup against Portland.
