This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a healthy six-game slate on Thursday, March 21.
Per usual, we have some injuries to monitor with potential for more while moving closer to tip-off. You'll want to stay in the loop with Rotowire's NBA News Feed before setting your final lineups. As of Thursday morning, these are the situations we are looking at:
- Taj Gibson is questionable. Dario Saric would benefit from his absence.
- Trevor Ariza is questionable. Troy Brown stepped in for 26 fantasy points through 30 minutes with Ariza leaving early last game.
- Kelly Oubre is doubtful. This helps the fantasy prospects of Josh Jackson and Mikal Bridges.
- Maxi Kleber is questionable. He missed last game, where Justin Jackson stepped up for 21 points and four rebounds in 34 minutes.
- Darren Collison is questionable. Cory Joseph started with Collison out last game, but Tyreke Evans benefitted the most with 38 fantasy points in 29 minutes.
- These notable players will continue to miss time: Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose, Cody Zeller, Tyler Johnson, T.J. Warren, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Victor Oladipo, Dwight Howard, John Wall
With that, I'll be breaking down the best fantasy choices on DraftKings for Thursday. The following write-ups contain a blend of cash game staples, bargain fillers, and tournament pivots.
GUARDS
Luka Doncic – DAL at SAC ($8,900): Doncic has been an absolute fantasy beast this season, and that shouldn't change while playing up in pace at Sacramento. The Kings rank 24th in defensive efficiency to opposing backcourts, opening the door for Doncic to post another strong DFS total. There's enough value to make him work alongside other premium options, and that's a strategy I fully intend to deploy on this slate.
Kemba Walker – CHA vs. MIN ($8,100): This Minnesota-Charlotte game has a really nice fantasy atmosphere, and I'll be looking towards quality DFS options on both sides. That includes Walker, who has a great chance to get back to 48-plus fantasy points: something he did in two of his past four. He's looking at a competitive home draw against a Timberwolves team that ranks below average in overall defensive efficiency and 17th to opposing backcourts.
Ricky Rubio – UTA at ATL ($5,200): Rubio is super cheap despite hitting 30 or more fantasy points in three straight games. We'd like to see more playing time than his usual 25 minute allotment, but that could be a result of five straight blowouts for the Jazz. Tonight's matchup looks great against an Atlanta club that ranks first in pace and dead last in defensive efficiency to opposing point guards. I'll be looking towards Rubio as a value filler with an excellent chance to extend his 30-plus fantasy point streak.
Other guards to consider: De'Aaron Fox – SAC vs. DAL ($7,300), Tyus Jones – MIN at CHA ($5,400)
FORWARDS
Keita Bates-Diop ($3,500) would represent solid value if Wiggins misses tonight's tilt at Utah.
Paul Millsap – DEN at WAS ($6,700): Millsap tends to come and go from a fantasy standpoint. He's on fire at the moment with a nice 40 FPPG average over his past four, so now is the time to give him a strong look. It doesn't hurt that he's playing at Washington, who ranks dead last in defensive efficiency to opposing power forwards. I'm not considering Millsap a "core play" in my DraftKings' lineups, but he's definitely someone to consider through any format if you have enough cap space.
Nicolas Batum – CHA vs. MIN ($5,000): Batum has been very mediocre in back-to-back games, but I believe he'll return to his usual 30-35 fantasy point ways this evening. The Charlotte forward continues to see heavy minutes, which is something that should continue in tonight's competitive draw. Batum's opponent, Minnesota, ranks dead last in defensive efficiency to small forwards this season.
Josh Jackson – PHX vs. DET ($4,800): Tyler Johnson will remain sidelined, and Kelly Oubre is doubtful. That helps solidify a full workload of 32-35 minutes for Jackson. He's an excellent DFS streamer who posted 31 fantasy points through 32 minutes with Phoenix shorthanded on Monday. That's a realistic baseline with upside beyond that, making Jackson a deserving option through any format.
Other forwards to consider: Kevin Durant – GS vs. IND ($9,100), Bojan Bogdanovic – IND at GS ($5,900)
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns – MIN at CHA ($10,000): I'm building my DraftKings' lineups around Towns tonight. The Minnesota big man has been aggressive through the second half of the season, rewarding DFS backers with some incredible stat lines. I'm expecting more of the same while facing a shorthanded Charlotte frontcourt without Cody Zeller. The Hornets rank 24th in defensive efficiency to opposing centers, and Towns should dominate this matchup.
Dwight Powell – DAL at SAC ($6,000): I'm treating Powell similar to Millsap. In other words, he's a fine mid-range option if you are looking for someone in this price range, but I'm not necessarily forcing him into lineups. The matchup looks good at Sacramento, as the Kings rank bottom ten in rebound rate and defensive efficiency to centers. Powell had a rough game in a tricky matchup at Portland last night, but this is a favorable draw to get back on track.
Other centers to consider: Andre Drummond – DET at PHX ($8,700), Rudy Gobert – UTA at ATL ($8,300)
