DraftKings NBA Picks February 7: Memphis gets Thunderstruck

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 28: Thomas Bryant #13 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after scoring in the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena on December 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Picks February 7: Memphis gets Thunderstruck

We have a solid six game Thursday for our DraftKings NBA tournaments. Only three players are priced in five figures. The Lakers may be monitoring LeBron’s minutes and the other two play for the same team. Are any of them worth playing for those prices? Let’s check it out!?

DraftKings NBA Point Guards:

Best Bets:

Russell Westbrook ($11,300): Well, the trade deadline passes before tipoff so at least we will know if Westy has to deal with Conley or not. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me if he does or not. That’s seven straight triple doubles for Russ. This isn’t the 80+ DraftKings points ones that Russ was known for before the arrival of George, but he is still comfortably clearing value. He will again tonight no matter who is available for Memphis.

Damian Lillard ($8,600): Lillard rang up 117.5 DraftKings points on the Spurs in the first two games. Tonight will be much of the same. I would even consider fading Russ for Lillard because Lillard’s ceiling is almost as high and he is a lot less. I’m assuming the Spurs will try since they rested DeMar and LMA last night. They could rest Gay, but the game should still stay close. That means a whole lot of DFS goodness for Lillard.

Honorable Mention:

Mike Conley ($8,400): Conley is carrying the Grizz right now. Maybe he knows he’s on the block and is trying to get to a contender. Conley has five straight games of more than 48 DraftKings points. Assuming he’s not dealt before this game, I find is really hard to fade Conley here. He is playing arguably the best basketball of his career right now. If Conley is dealt, Shelvin Mack is an outstanding value play.

Kyle Lowry ($7,100): Lowry has ravaged the Hawks for 104 DraftKings points in two games this year. Of course, that was before the back issues that plagued most of his January. There is good upside for the price here, but the back is concerning. Toronto will limit his minutes any chance they get, so if either team pulls away, Lowry’s night will be truncated.

Darren Collison ($6,400): This is a great matchup for Collison, but there is a little cause for concern. The Clippers are thin in their rotations and weren’t good at the point anyway. Indiana just blew the other L.A. team off the court in Indy Tuesday night. Collison still picked up a solid 26 DraftKings points in 25 minutes, but that is still under value. There is massive blowout potential here, so I don’t know which Pacers I’m really okay with paying for here.

Dark Horses:

Jerryd Bayless ($5,800): Rose is still out and Teague is still doubtful, so fire up Bayless again. Bayless was a bust against Memphis on Tuesday, but this is a more favorable matchup. The only thing different for Bayless was that he was terrible from the field. So long as his shot is back to normal, Bayless should be right around 5x value again, but I don’t see a ton of upside tonight.

Cory Joseph ($4,400): Joseph is one of the safer value plays around tonight. He has four straight games of 20 or more DraftKings points anyway. His minutes load has been up with Oladipo out, but he could still see the court plenty if Indiana pulls away in this one. Joseph is a strong value play, but I don’t see a ton of upside. Eventually the Pacers will pull Joseph too since he is part of the regular rotation now. If you are banking on a blowout, go with Aaron Holiday. He played more minutes than Joseph in the blowout of the Lakers and racked up 26.25 DraftKings points in the process.

My pick: Westbrook(PG), Joseph(G)

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 19: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs attempts a shot during the game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on December 19, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Shooting Guards:

Best Bets:

DeMar DeRozan ($7,600): Maybe some rest did DDR some good. He has only hit value, even at this price, three times out of the last ten games. There is reason to be optimistic here though. DeRozan has 105.25 DraftKings points in the first two tilts against the Blazers. It seems as though Portland has made sure Aldridge isn’t going to beat them. That’s great news for DeRozan. I’m a big fan at this price tonight.

Lou Williams ($7,400): LouWill is about the only scorer left with Tobias Harris on the way to Philly. None of the new toys are expected to be in uniform, not that they are much to play with anyway. Williams is going to be leaned on heavily in the coming games, but there is now massive blowout potential just about every time the Clippers take the court. Still, I like Williams to do damage while he is in there.

Honorable Mention:

Evan Fournier ($5,500): I wasn’t all that interested in Fournier against the Thunder. He must have read my article because he threw it back at me with a 43.75 DraftKings point performance. Only the Pacers have held Fournier under 5x value in the last six games. Fournier put up 30.5 DraftKings points in the first meeting with Minnesota. He looks like a strong play here again.

Terrence Ross ($5,100): You have to hand it to Ross. When he fails, he does it in spectacular fashion, like posting single digit DraftKings points. You just have to know when to lay off. Ross has been outstanding when the matchup suits him, as it does here against Minnesota. Ross put up a solid 18.5 DraftKings points in 23 minutes in the first meeting, but he is playing closer to 30 minutes now and is the go to guy on the second string. I like the upside for his price here.

Dark Horses:

Dennis Schroder ($4,900): Schroder has quietly put together a string of five games with more than 5x value. Four of those games he was over 6x value. Whether Memphis is playing thin at the guards tonight by the time this game rolls around is irrelevant. Schroder is putting up great value in about 25 minutes per game right now. Schroder is probably better suited for cash games, but he has been playing well enough for consideration in GPP lineups as well.

Bryn Forbes ($4,600): This is pretty much the same as last night. Forbes gets more minutes. Patty Mills has the higher upside. Something else to watch is that Pop could be resting some veterans in this one as well. If he does, there is a great chance Mills sits, so it’s pretty much Forbes or nothing for me with Spurs guards tonight.

Terrance Ferguson ($3,600): I get it. Sometimes you find yourself in a tight bind when it comes down to finishing off your lineup. You find yourself with less than $4,000 to spend, and most nights there is little or nothing down there. Should you find yourself in that situation, Ferguson is a good punt play. He has little upside, but Ferguson has been above 5x value in seven of the last nine games. This is a good matchup with Memphis as well, so if you need to go really cheap, Ferguson is about as safe as you are going to get.

My pick: Ross(SG)

SAN ANTONIO, TX – JANUARY 3: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after he scored his fist basket against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on January 3, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Small Forwards:

Best Bets:

Paul George ($10,000): It has been more than three weeks since George has been under 45 DraftKings points. Hell, he hasn’t been under 40 since January 21st when he played only 31 minutes against the Knicks. The Thunder are firing on all cylinders behind Russ and George right now. I subscribe to the notion that you are cheating yourself if you use one and not the other in your lineups right now. They are meant to be used together. Like peanut butter and jelly. Or Laurel and Hardy. Or Batman and Robin. One just isn’t as good without the other.

Kawhi Leonard ($9,400): This appears to be a good spot for Kawhi. He dropped a 60 spot on the Hawks in the first meeting this year. Prince is the only player among both teams presumed to be on the block, so this game looks relatively safe from that perspective. The Hawks are capable of keeping this close. If they do, there are pieces to like from both sides.

Honorable Mention:

Danilo Gallinari ($6,000): Gallinari is finally questionable after missing ten games with back spasms. That seems a little extreme, but the Clippers really need him tonight, so I would think he plays. With Harris out of the fold, Gallo would become the focal point of this offense. He and Williams could be in for huge nights. I want Gallinari if he’s not facing a minutes restriction here.

Bojan Bogdanovic ($5,600): One of the more interesting things to take away from the worst loss of LeBron’s career was the fact that Bojan still played 33 minutes in the blowout. Should tonight end in the same manner, Bogdanovic would appear to be safe no matter how this game goes. The Pacers allowed Bojan to get his groove back. No sense wasting it by resting him!

Justin Holiday ($5,200): This slate is littered with really good mid range options. Holiday has evolved into one of those. Holiday has exploded for 91 DraftKings points over the last three games. DraftKings is a bit behind on the pricing, so enjoy it! Holiday is playing big minutes for the Grizzlies lately, and it looks like he has finally gained the trust of the coaching staff.

Dark Horses:

Jaylen Brown ($4,700): Brown is an interesting punt here. First off, he’s not really priced as a punt. Boston is also a very deep team, so certain things would have to happen for Brown to see good run with all of the Boston guards healthy. Like a blowout, perhaps. That looks more than possible. It looks likely. Brown could be a sneaky play here.

Luol Deng ($3,300): You haven’t heard this name in a while, huh? Deng was brought it as part of the TimberBulls, but Thibs didn’t even play him after he took the trouble to bring him to Minneapolis. Just add it to the long list of asinine things that he did as head of the Timberwolves. Deng kept his head down and worked, and outlasted the ass. Now he is reaping the rewards. With Covington out, Deng has played very well off the bench for Minnesota. He has at least 5x value in three of the last four games. This isn’t a fluke anymore, nor is it garbage minutes. Deng is actually relevant again.

My pick: George(SF), Brown(F), Deng(UTIL)

PORTLAND, OR – MAY 2: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to an officials call in the first quarter of Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on May 2, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Power Forwards:

Best Bets:

John Collins ($8,100): Collins has done very well when the Hawks in games that have stayed close. He looked good against Washington before he was forced to leave the game. Toronto isn’t all that great up front. Collins is physical and athletic enough to give Toronto some problems. If this game stays close, Collins will go way over value. If he only plays 30 minutes, you’re sunk.

LaMarcus Aldridge ($7,800): The revenge narrative hasn’t been a thing for Aldridge against the team that he entered the league with. LMA has 78.5 DraftKings points over the first two games, so it’s not like he has been bad. DeRozan has just dominated the games. That will likely happen again, but it shouldn’t keep Aldridge from hitting value if you want to late stack your lineup.

Honorable Mention:

Thaddeus Young ($6,100): Again, Young was very efficient. He ravaged the Lakers for 42.25 DraftKings points in just 24 minutes. Thad is one of the driving forces on the team with Oladipo out, and his price really hasn’t risen that much. The Pacers have been giving him more minutes lately as well, so there’s little risk with Young here. Just the risk of a blowout, but as Young showed on Tuesday, he can do a lot with little minutes.

Jayson Tatum ($5,800): I fully expect a blowout in this game, but we saw what Thad did to the Lakers in just 24 minutes on Tuesday. They are weak against power forwards anyway. This is the place where Tatum should be able to take them apart. His price is still low enough to chase this. Should Tatum come up somewhat empty, we still have a chance to make it up somewhere.

Jonathan Isaac ($5,400): Isaac has five straight games of more than 5x value and has hit in seven of the last eight. He has proven himself to be a valuable part of the Orlando rotation. Orlando is building for the future, so they have no reason to take minutes away from him. Isaac is a strong play at this price.

Dark Horses:

Ivan Rabb ($5,100): Rabb was a monster on Tuesday, and will be again if Gasol is dealt as expected. I’m tempted to play Rabb even if Gasol isn’t dealt. Memphis has no reason to bench the guys that are playing well. The Grizzlies are going to give extended auditions to their young players regardless of what transpires today.

Dario Saric ($4,100): Saric exploded against Memphis for 39.25 DraftKings points. Saric’s minutes have fluctuated a lot under the new coaching staff, but really, Gibson is doing nothing to warrant holding onto the job. Saric is capable of putting up numbers like that every night. All he needs is the minutes. Check the lineups to see if Saric has finally gained the trust of this staff. Tuesday’s performance should have earned him more minutes at the very least.

Daniel Theis ($3,700): Theis is on my radar because he is a pretty solid play with Baynes out even if this game stays close. Of course, Theis has a much higher ceiling in the event of a blowout. The added bonus we get with Thies is that he isn’t dependent on this being a blowout to hit his floor.

My pick: Rabb(PF)

basketball parlay: PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JANUARY 22: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 22, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA Centers:

Best Bets:

Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,900): On paper, this is a terrible matchup. In reality, KAT put up 56.75 DraftKings points on the Magic the first time around. Right now, Towns is most of the offense with Rose, Teague, and Covington out. Expect another strong game from the big guy here, though his ceiling is lower than usual.

Nikola Vucevic ($9,300): Vucevic didn’t do all that well in the first meeting with Minnesota, but with Bamba out, I have a feeling Orlando may play Vucevic into the high 30’s instead of the low 30’s. That extra few minutes could make a pretty big difference. That said, the only reason to really play Vucevic is to go for separation. Find the extra $600 for Towns.

Honorable Mention:

Montrezl Harrell ($7,200): I don’t like this matchup for Harrell, but with Harris out of town and Boban shipped as well, Harrell probably will be forced to not only start, but to play a lot of minutes. Harrell usually doesn’t hit 30 minutes, but I tend to think he goes way over that here. While it remains to be seen who will pick up most of the slack, Harrell is as good a bet as any to get the first crack at it.

Myles Turner ($6,500): Turner has now been in the 30’s for DraftKings points in four straight and eight of the last nine. He has been a strong force for the Pacers up front, and he is primed to dominate against a thin Clippers front. Turner racked up 32.75 DraftKings points in just 22 minutes against the Lakers on Tuesday. We could see a similar line to that tonight.

Serge Ibaka ($6,200): The numbers say to run this Toronto front against Atlanta, but neither Ibaka nor Siakam have had big games against Atlanta this year. There are better options to hit value, but I would consider both of them in cash games.

Dark Horses:

Jaren Jackson ($6,000): I am going to approach this article as if Marc Gasol is traded in the afternoon. That would leave Jackson as the starter, and a great pick to hit value. Jackson ran 38 minutes and put up a strong 41.5 DraftKings points on Minnesota. He probably wont find the going as easy against the Thunder, but he should still clear 5x value without any issues.

Khem Birch ($3,200): Birch has a very low ceiling, but he should be getting all of the minutes that Mo Bamba was getting before he went down. That should mean that Birch plays around 20 minutes per game. Judging by his per minute stats, that should leave Birch at 6x value pretty easily.

My pick: Jackson(C)

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