As fans gear up for a notable five-game main slate on FanDuel this Thursday night, the matchups promise plenty of excitement, showcasing a host of star players and competitive games. With a lighter injury report than usual, enthusiasts can still count on a varied pool of players to craft their lineups.
The current betting odds reflect close contests ahead. The matchups for the night feature:
– Phoenix Suns at Detroit Pistons (-6.5) with an over/under of 223.5
– Boston Celtics (-2) at Miami Heat (O/U: 233.5)
– Oklahoma City Thunder (-4.5) at Houston Rockets (O/U: 222.5)
– Milwaukee Bucks at San Antonio Spurs (-7.5) (O/U: 227.5)
– Utah Jazz (-1) at Dallas Mavericks (O/U: 236.5)
The slate suggests a strong betting landscape, with several games expected to be fiercely competitive. While the Suns-Pistons and Thunder-Rockets could lean toward lower scores, the remaining games could create engaging DFS opportunities.
Monitoring injury updates is crucial ahead of the slate:
– Devin Booker (PHO, ankle) is listed as questionable, and his absence could lead to Jordan Goodwin stepping into the starting shooting guard position.
– Cooper Flagg (DAL, ankle) is a game-time decision; if he doesn’t play, Ryan Nembhard and D’Angelo Russell could see increased minutes at point guard.
– Lauri Markkanen (UTA, illness) is also a game-time decision. If sidelined, Brice Sensabaugh, who recently scored 43 points in a start, would continue in the lineup.
Other key injuries to note include:
– Jalen Green (PHO, hamstring): OUT
– Tari Eason (HOU, ankle): OUT
– Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC, calf): OUT
– Devin Vassell (SAN, thigh): OUT
– Davion Mitchell (MIA, shoulder): DOUBTFUL
– Tyler Herro (MIA, toe): PROBABLE
– Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL, ankle): PROBABLE
On the elite player front, four athletes are commanding five-figure salaries this Thursday:
– Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,400) has a robust average of over 50 FD points this season, recently achieving 38.1 in just 30 minutes of play.
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,900) faces a tough defensive matchup against the Rockets but has posted impressive scores in his last three outings.
– Cade Cunningham ($10,800) is back and has performed admirably, scoring over 52 FD points in his past three appearances.
– Victor Wembanyama ($10,100) has shown potential, achieving over 44 FD points in three of four recent matches, despite some playing time limitations.
Several additional players are expected to be highly owned:
– Alperen Sengun (HOU, $9,600) has excelled since returning from injury.
– Jaylen Brown (BOS, $9,400) is off the injury report and scoring impressively.
– If cleared, Devin Booker (PHO, $9,200) is chasing another high score.
– Kevin Durant (HOU, $9,000) remains a consistent performer.
– Amen Thompson (HOU, $8,700) is also steadily scoring well.
Key value options to explore include:
– Neemias Queta (BOS, $5,600), who has been impactful, especially against teams allowing high scoring to centers.
– Brandon Williams (DAL, $5,500) has an enhanced outlook if Flagg is not able to play, projected to shine against a weak Utah defense.
– Julian Champagnie (SAN, $5,400) has been delivering solid numbers, making him a strong candidate at his salary, especially against a Bucks defense that has struggled recently.
As fantasy players prepare their lineups, the potential for both star performances and sleeper picks this Thursday night could lead to exciting outcomes in daily fantasy contests.