This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense To Avoid
San Antonio Spurs, vs. Philadelphia 76ers: The Spurs have given up the second-fewest points (99.2) per game, and the Sixers are tied with the Nets for most turnovers (16.3) committed per contest. The Sixers have also won just six road games on the season, while the Spurs have triumphed in 17 of 23 contests at AT&T Center.
Offense To Use
Houston Rockets, vs. Atlanta Hawks: The Rockets have scored the second-most points per game (114.1) and shot a superb 46.7 percent this season. They've been even better at home, scoring 114.9 points per contest. The Hawks have scored a modest 101.0 points per game on the road, and the Hawks are on the second night of a back-to-back, having been blown out in Miami on Wednesday.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Rockets, Lakers
Second game of a back-to-back: Hawks, Warriors, Clippers, Sixers
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Stephen Curry, GS at LAC ($8,700): While James Harden ($12,400) and John Wall ($10,400) sit atop the guard pool Thursday, both check in with hefty price tags that may not necessarily pay off. However, Curry is still relatively underpriced and comes in with a very hot hand, having scored 66.75 and 68.25 fantasy points, respectively, over his last two, and between 43.0 and 52.0 in seven other contests in the last 10. He won't have to deal with any Chris Paul's defense, and he's already averaged a whopping 56.1 fantasy points over two previous meetings against the Clippers. Los Angeles has also been suffering the effects of not having Paul's stingy defense available, as they've surrendered the third-most fantasy points (61.1) to point guards over the last five.
Tim Hardaway, Jr., ATL at HOU ($4,200): Eric Gordon ($5,100) also makes for a very viable play on the other side of this matchup, but Hardaway is available at a significant savings. The Rockets have given up the fifth-most fantasy points (43.5) to two-guards on the season, along with the fourth-most made three-pointers (3.2) per contest. Hardaway has averaged 23.6 fantasy points over the last five games, and has flashed a solid ceiling, eclipsing the 30-fantasy point mark twice in the last 10 contests as well.
Kelly Oubre, Jr., WAS vs. LAL ($3,400): Oubre has posted double-digit points in six of his last 10 contests, scoring between 15.75 and 28.5 fantasy points in seven of those games. He seems to be locked in to a steady allotment of playing time, seeing no fewer than 20 minutes in any of the aforementioned 10-game stretch. While those are relatively modest returns, Oubre is just $400 away from minimum, and the Lakers surrender the third-most fantasy points (44.9) and highest field-goal percentage (48.3) to small forwards on the season.
Blake Griffin, LAC vs. GS ($7,700): Kevin Durant ($10,300) and Kawhi Leonard ($9,000) are fine options as well, but Griffin's price makes him the best potential value Thursday. He's back to a normal allotment of minutes after three games back from his knee surgery, having played 34 minutes against the Suns on Wednesday. That led to a 50-fantasy-point effort, and even on the second night of a back-to-back, Griffin could be in for another explosive outing. The Warriors have been middle-of-the-pack against power forwards and have surrendered 48.3 fantasy points per game to the position over the last five games.
Davis Bertans, SA vs. PHI ($3,100): The rookie is seeing consistent playing time in coach Gregg Popovich's rotations, having played between 15 and 23 minutes in five of the last six contests. He's scored double-digit fantasy points in all six of those outings, making him a viable punt play for tournaments at just $100 away from minimum with LaMarcus Aldridge (knee) ruled out Thursday.
Dwight Howard, ATL at HOU ($6,900): Howard has scored between 33.75 and 40.0 fantasy points in five of his last six games, and his price has actually dropped $300 from Wednesday. He also blasted his former Rockets teammates to the tune of 49.3 fantasy points in his one previous encounter with them this season, and there's ample reason there could be more from where that came from Thursday. Houston has surrendered the most fantasy points (67.4) to centers over the last five games, and the third-most (52.4) on the season.
Ivica Zubac, LAL at WAS ($3,900): For those who have a bit of cash to spare, Clint Capela ($4,700) also makes for an interesting play. However, Thursday could well be Zubac's last day with a cost under $4K, as he's now scored between 25.5 and 33.0 fantasy points in the last three games. He's seen at least 21 minutes in each of those contests, and there's increasing talk that his involvement will continue to bump up. The Wizards also make for an appealing target, considering they've surrendered the third-highest field-goal percentage (56.8) to centers, as well as 55.2 fantasy points per game over the last 10.
JaVale McGee, GS at LAC ($3,000): McGee figures to log another start in place of Zaza Pachulia (rotator cuff) Thursday, making him a viable minimum-priced play. He scored 21.5 fantasy points over just 17 minutes in Wednesday's start, and had scored 16.25 and 16.75 fantasy points, respectively, across an average of just 9.5 minutes in the previous two contests when he was coming off the bench. The Clippers also make for a nice target, having given up the third-most fantasy points (64.5) to centers over the last five, and the second-most points (22.1) to the position on the season.
INJURY REPORT
For the latest news on injured players heading into the games, check out our Injury Updates page.
