Today, we take a look at Thursday’s 11-game slate of NBA action, which begins at 7:00 p.m. EST. Here are the top plays at each of the five core positions on DraftKings.
Point Guard
Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors (DK: $8,600) Vs. ATL
Although the point guard position is absolutely stacked tonight, Lowry is a very intriguing option, despite the various rumors being floated about him being traded before the deadline. With Fred VanVleet, O.G. Anunoby, and Pascal Siakim all ruled out, Lowry is going to get a ton of touches against the Hawks tonight. Lowry should easily surpass 40 minutes, and don’t be surprised if he puts up 15-20 shots. On the season, the veteran is averaging 18.0 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.5 rebounds for a solid 38.8 fantasy points per game. Against a shaky Hawks’ defense that is allowing the most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season, Lowry should stuff the stat sheet. He might have more upside than any other player tonight due to the large load he is going to have to carry if the Raptors want to compete without three of their starting five players.
Other Options: Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox, Lonzo Ball
Shooting Guard
Shake Milton, Philadelphia 76ers (DK: $5,300) @ CHI
Just like teammate Tobias Harris, Milton is going to have massive upside tonight for the undermanned 76ers. Usually I don’t recommend playing two players on the same team, but tonight I am making an exception. When Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have been out of the lineup, Milton has seen the greatest uptick in usage rate (7.1 percent) on the team. Over the last five games, he has been delivering almost 6x value. He will log a ton of minutes tonight against a weak Bulls defense and will be asked to shoot more and will provide more playmaking opportunities with Simmons out of the lineup. Considering his cheap price tag, this is a no brainer.
Other Options: Victor Oladipo, Malik Monk, Immanuel Quickley
Small Forward
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timverwilves (DK: $6,700) @ NO
Edwards had been dominating prior to the All-Star break. He had logged over 30 minutes in each of his previous four contests, and was averaging 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game over that span. With Malik Beasley still suspended, and D’Angelo Russell still sidelined due to injury, Edwards should continue to see a tremendous workload for the struggling Wolves. Minnesota also has plenty of incentive to let the kid play plenty of minutes considering the season is already lost for the last-place Timberwolves. Edwards is a great contrarian play in what should be a high-scoring affair against a Pelicans team that ranks in the bottom-third of the league at defending opposing wingers.
Other Options: Normal Powell, Derrick Jones Jr., Precious Achiuwa
Power Forward
Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers (DK: $8,100) @ CHI
With Embiid and Simmons out due to COVID-19 protocols, Harris is an excellent position against a Bulls’ defense that ranks in the bottom-third of the league at defending opposing forwards. Harris entered the All-Star break averaging 20.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists for 38.4 fantasy points per game. Over his last seven outings, Harris has produced four double-doubles and has recorded a steal in four straight games. Without his two All-Star teammates, he is going to get a ton of touches tonight for the undermanned Sixers. Over February and March, he has been shooting 15-plus times per game. Expect that number to increase to 20 tonight with Embiid and Simmons sidelined.
Other Options: Jerami Grant, John Collins, P.J. Washington
Center
Richaun Holmes, Sacramento Kings (DK: $6,500) Vs. HOU
Holmes has sneaky value tonight with the Rockets missing Christian Wood and the Kings missing Hassan Whiteside. The Rockets allow the eighth-most fantasy points to the center position this season, and both the Kings and Rockets play with above league average pace. All of these things bode well for Holmes’ value tonight. In his previous four outings, Holmes never failed to produce at least 30 fantasy points. Over that span, he is averaging a double-double with 15.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals. Fire up the big man tonight. It’s hard to imagine him not exceeding value.
Other Options: Clint Capela, Nicolas Claxton, Dwight Howard
