Before heading into a week off for the All-Star break, the NBA has a three-game slate lined up for this Thursday to give everyone one more night of DFS contests before a six-day hiatus. The Warriors, Grizzlies, and Jazz are each finishing back-to-back sets on Thursday, but no team has to worry about playing again for at least a week. While there aren’t a ton of games, the three matchups are solid and bring plenty of storylines, stars, and fantasy values to consider.
Throughout the day, keep an eye on the injury report to see who will play and who might get the break started early. As statuses are finalized, be sure to refresh the NBA Models for the latest updates and adjustments to make sure your squad is ready to roll.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Stephen Curry continues to re-write the NBA record book, and he’s a strong option as long as he plays the second night of the back-to-back in Utah. Curry has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection of all point guards on the slate, and he’s in a great matchup with an Opponents Plus/Minus of +4.52 on FanDuel, which is the highest of any point guard on the site.
Curry dropped 41 points in Wednesday night’s loss to the Clippers and became the first player in NBA history with 7+ made three-pointers in four straight games. He hit nine threes in that contest and exceeded salary-based expectations for the fourth game in a row and the seventh time in his last 10 games. In those 10 games, he produced an impressive 1.54 DraftKings points and 1.40 FanDuel points per minute while playing 34.1 minutes per game.
The Warriors have the highest implied team total on the slate, and their matchup with the Jazz has the highest over/under by a wide margin. Be sure to get plenty of exposure to this matchup, and you can start at the top by building around Steph.
Value
The best value option at guard comes from the other side of the Warriors-Jazz matchup. Keyonte George has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards on DraftKings and the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position on FanDuel. George has an 84% Bargain Rating on DraftKings, where he brings an affordable salary of under $5,000.
The 20-year-old rookie has moved back into the starting lineup for the last two games for the Jazz, and the team will try to give him a long look down the stretch. On the season, he has produced 0.90 DraftKings points and 0.84 FanDuel points per minute in 24.5 minutes per game with a 21.7% usage rate. He is trending up, though, having exceeded salary-based expectations on DraftKings in six of his last seven games by producing 0.92 DraftKings points and 0.86 FanDuel points per minute and increasing his workload to 26.7 minutes per game.
The Jazz have the second-highest implied team total, with only the Warriors ahead of them on Thursday’s slate. George is a great way to get starter’s minutes and good usage at an affordable salary.
Fast Break
Aside from Steph, Damian Lillard is the other big-name point guard on Thursday’s schedule. He is listed as probable with an ankle issue but has been playing through the injury. His shooting has been a little off, but he still brings the highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position on FanDuel, where he has a 93% Bargain Rating for his matchup in Memphis.
The Timberwolves are in Portland on Thursday night, and Mike Conley is a solid value once again. His production is seldom spectacular but usually very consistent. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in eight of his last 10 games on FanDuel and six of his last seven on DraftKings. Over those seven games, he averaged 1.02 DraftKings points and 1.02 FanDuel points per minute in 27.9 minutes per game.
The Grizzlies continue to be extremely short-handed at point guard. Jordan Goodwin joined the team on a 10-day contract on Tuesday and played 24 minutes on Wednesday with Scotty Pippin Jr. (back) and Jacob Gilyard (G League) unavailable. Derrick Rose did play but was very limited and may not be ready for a back-to-back. Despite just joining the team, Goodwin looked solid with 10 points, three assists, three rebounds a block and a steal. He brings good non-scoring numbers, and if he gets more minutes on Thursday, he should be a good value once again.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Anthony Edwards brings the highest ceiling, median, and floor projection at shooting guard on both DraftKings and FanDuel this Thursday. He’s an expensive play, but one you can definitely build around as he and his Timberwolves finish a two-game stop in Portland against the Blazers.
On Tuesday, in the first game of this two-game set, Edwards dropped 41 points against the Blazers. That was his sixth straight game with 22+ points, and he has reached that mark in 10 of his last 11 games. Over those 11 games, Edwards averaged 1.27 DraftKings points and 1.21 FanDuel points per minute in 35.6 minutes per game. His 33.6% usage rate over that span and typically heavy workload always give him a very high ceiling.
In this matchup that he dominated Tuesday, Edwards is a strong stud to build around on Thursday night.
Value
If you need to go cheaper at shooting guard, Collin Sexton continues to be a very solid midrange option in his current role with the Jazz. He has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard on DraftKings and the fifth-highest on FanDuel.
He had 18 points in Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers and has scored at least that many points in six of his last seven games while producing 1.20 DraftKings points and 1.14 FanDuel points per minute. Sexton typically chips in solid non-scoring numbers as well and managed 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists when his Jazz took on the Warriors earlier this week. He should be a solid value once again in the rematch on Thursday.
Fast Break
Anfernee Simons matches more Pro Trends than any other player on this slate on DraftKings and more than any other guard on FanDuel. He only had 20 points in his first matchup with Minnesota but had 24+ points in his four games before that. He brings an extremely high ceiling since he’s carrying so much of the scoring load for the Blazers, especially with Malcolm Brogdon (elbow) out.
Earlier this week against the Jazz, Klay Thompson had a throwback game with 26 points in a true ceiling performance. He came back to earth with just 12 points against the Clippers on Wednesday, so that outburst may have been just an outlier. However, he does have the highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position on FanDuel in Thursday’s rematch. He edges out his teammate Brandin Podziemski for the top spot on that site, where both come with a Bargain Ratings over 80%.
New Trail Blazer Dalano Banton is eligible at both guard spots on DraftKings and at small forward on FanDuel. He’s a solid bargain option on either site, though, since he has stepped into a sizeable role with his new squad, playing over 25 minutes in each of his two games with Portland. Banton had a season-high 16 points on Tuesday against Minnesota and produced 0.93 DraftKings points and 0.86 FanDuel points per minute in his very limited sample size. If he continues to get so much run, he’ll be a great bargain play.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
One of the few bright spots for the Grizzlies in their injury-riddled season has been the emergence of Vince Williams, who has done a little bit of everything and earned a contract extension earlier this season. Williams has a top-five median, ceiling, and floor projection at small forward on both DraftKings and FanDuel on Thursday’s slate. He has a 71% Bargain Rating on DraftKings, where his salary is still under $7,000, but he’s worth a look on either site while carrying such a hefty workload.
Williams has scored double-digit points in each of his 14 games over the last month and added at least seven assists in four straight games. He leads the team with 483 minutes (34.5 per game) over that stretch and produced 0.99 DraftKings points and 0.98 FanDuel points per minute with an 18.5% usage rate over that span. His production has climbed over the last week, with his increased assists boosting him to 1.02 DraftKings points and 1.02 FanDuel points per minute over his last four games.
Against the Bucks, he has an 18.1% usage projection in his 33.0 projected minutes, and he could end up with even more work depending on what other Grizzlies end up taking the night off.
Value
It’s been an up-and-down season for Andrew Wiggins, but he has been trending in the right direction and brings good value in this matchup with the Jazz. Wiggins has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward on FanDuel and the second-highest at the position on DraftKings. He also has the versatility to slide to power forward on both sites.
Wiggins had 17 points against the Jazz on Monday and 10 points against the Clippers on Wednesday, and he has reached double-digit points in five straight games since a rough patch early in February. He has been back in the starting lineup in each of his last 14 games after coming off the bench for a while, and in those 14 games, he averaged 29.9 minutes per game with 14.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He produced 0.94 DraftKings points and 0.96 FanDuel points per minute over that span.
If you need value at forward, Wiggins is getting enough usage that he’s a solid midrange play with good upside, and he could be in an even larger role if the Warriors opt to rest some of his teammates headed into the break.
Fast Break
The Jazz continue to rely heavily on Lauri Markkanen on a nightly basis. His numbers have been a little down lately, but he always has a high ceiling since he takes so many shots and can post a double-double if a few boards bounce his way. He had 33 points and 11 boards against the Thunder in a ceiling game last Tuesday but struggled a little in his three games since.
Another forward with a high scoring ceiling is Jerami Grant, who exploded for 49 points last Thursday in a rematch against his former team, the Pistons. He only had 24 and 12 points in his two games since then and was mostly held in check by the Timberwolves on Tuesday. He definitely has a high ceiling but hasn’t been as consistent and isn’t as affordable as Williams.
If you’re looking for a bargain play, Jaden McDaniels continues to play plenty of minutes for Minnesota. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards on DraftKings and the highest of all the options under $5,000 on FanDuel. McDaniels failed to score in Tuesday’s game against Portland, but his role on the wing as a “three-and-D” complement for Minnesota is fairly secure and usually gives him a high floor for a punt play.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
As usual, when the Bucks are in action, Giannis Antetokounmpo has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection on the slate. Giannis also matches the most Pro Trends on the slate on FanDuel, where he has an 85% Bargain Rating. On DraftKings, he brings extra center eligibility but isn’t quite as much of a value.
In each of his last three games, Giannis has posted a double-double, and he has scored 30+ points in four of his last seven. In his seven games so far in February, he averaged 1.74 DraftKings points and 1.70 FanDuel points per minute while playing 33.3 minutes per game with a 34.2% usage rate.
Giannis has picked up the slack a little bit with Dame’s shooting struggles and Khris Middleton’s (ankle) latest injury. He should dominate the Grizzlies when on the floor and has a projection of 35.9 minutes on Thursday.
Value
As long as he’s good to go for the second half of Golden State’s back-to-back, Draymond Green should be one of the best values on the slate. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate on both DraftKings and FanDuel, and he can slot in at either power forward or center.
Green has been producing in multiple categories, as usual, since returning to a full-time role after his suspension. He had 12 points, eight assists and nine rebounds in just 23 minutes against the Jazz on Monday and fell just one point short of a double-double on Wednesday in 31 minutes against the Clippers. In his eight February games, he has produced a solid 1.13 DraftKings points and 1.10 FanDuel points per minute while playing 27.8 minutes per game.
In a very fantasy-friendly matchup, he should be a great play under $7,000 on Thursday.
Fast Break
While he has tailed off a little bit in his last few games, Jonathan Kuminga continues to be a critical contributor for the Warriors, and he could be set up for more work if Golden State rests anyone. Over the last month, he has been a key scoring option for Golden State.
The Jazz have been getting good play from John Collins, which was one of the reasons they could move Kelly Olynyk at the trade deadline. Collins has exceeded salary-based expectations on FanDuel in 10 of his last 11 games, averaging 1.23 DraftKings points and 1.22 FanDuel points per minute while playing 28.4 minutes per game. He’s a solid mid-range option at either power forward or center and is a good alternative if you don’t want to go with Draymond.
Like Jordan Goodwin, Lamar Stevens looks like he’ll be a great value after joining the Grizzlies. He has been with the team for just two games but played 26 and 20 minutes, producing double-digit points and good rebounding numbers against both the Pelicans and the Rockets. He’s incredibly cheap on both DraftKings and FanDuel, and he should contribute strong numbers for as long as he keeps getting 20+ minutes a game.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
With so many injuries in Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr. has had to step into a much more high usage role. He has the highest median and floor projection at center on FanDuel and the second-highest on DraftKings, behind only Giannis.
JJJ had 18 points on Wednesday but only had to play 28 minutes in a win over the Rockets, which hopefully means he’ll be fresh to take on Giannis in this showdown spot. He has a huge 37.4% usage rate over the last month while producing 1.22 DraftKings points and 1.21 FanDuel points per minute in 32.4 minutes per game. In his 37 games before the last month, his usage was only 28.2%, but injuries to Desmond Bane and Ja Morant have forced him to take way more shots.
Jackson is always a strong defensive presence, and his big workload gives him a high ceiling. He has an 84% Bargain Rating on DraftKings, and he brings a better Projected Plus/Minus than Giannis on both DraftKings and FanDuel since he comes at a much more affordable salary.
Value
Aside from Draymond (discussed above), our projections have Walker Kessler as the top value play at center on DraftKings, where he brings a 97% Bargain Rating and a salary under $6,000. Kessler has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven straight games on DraftKings and is stepping into a bigger role after the trade of Olynyk.
Over those seven contests, Kessler has produced 1.28 DraftKings points and 1.42 FanDuel points per minute in 22.6 minutes per game. He has played over 25 minutes in each of his last three contests and four of his last five. If his playing time stays that high against the Warriors, he should be ready to keep producing big numbers. He’s priced up a bit on FanDuel, but he’s still worth a look due to his elite block numbers.
Fast Break
Brook Lopez is a solid midrange option if you don’t trust Collins and Kessler against the Warriors. BroLo is typically very steady, although he is looking to bounce back from a down game in limited minutes against the Heat on Tuesday.
On DraftKings, Lamar Stevens (discussed above) is an elite bargain option, but there aren’t many great options if you’re shopping for a cheap center on FanDuel. Kevon Looney has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers with salaries under $5,000 on FanDuel with Duop Reath as another option to consider.
