DraftKings NBA picks February 4: Stars on parade

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 16: Anthony Davis #23 talks with James Harden #13 of Team LeBron during the 2019 NBA All-Star Practice & Media Day presented by AT&T on February 16, 2019 at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the first half (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA centers:

Best Bets:

Nikola Jokic ($10,000): Everything runs through Jokic with Murray out. If Murray does end up suiting up in any capacity, I’m completely off of Jokic. He has 85 DraftKings points in two games against Portland. That’s good, but not good enough if Jokic is commanding five figures. There are better options available. However, if Murray is out, Jokic has three triple-doubles in the seven games Murray has missed.

Hassan Whiteside ($8,500): Whiteside has 103 DraftKings points in just 60 minutes against Denver this year. That tells me that Jokic can’t handle him. I really like Whiteside here as well, but he’s just another big price tag on a night full of them. Does he stand out enough?

Honorable Mention:

Jerami Grant ($5,700): The Nuggets are still very thin up front and this is Portland’s worst position defensively. Grant is never a sure thing, but without Porter, Millsap, and Plumlee around to take his minutes, I’m willing to chase Grant here again. This could be a big night for him.

Brook Lopez ($5,300): Lopez had a ridiculous nine blocks against the Suns on Sunday. That’s not a typo. That’s not going to happen against the Pelicans. They’re longer than Phoenix. However, with Lopez protecting the rim that well and active in the offense, he should be worth this price as a mid-range option.

Dark Horses:

Derrick Favors ($4,900): This is not a great matchup, but Favors is about as solid as you can ask for. He has at least 22 DraftKings in eight straight and all but one game in 2020. I don’t really think that BroLo can shut him down either. I like the upside on Favors more than Lopez, and he’s a bit cheaper.

JaVale McGee ($3,500): I’m back to not trusting either Lakers center again. Howard only shot once in the last game. McGee at least starts and gets a little more run with the first team. These two are far more productive on the court than for DFS. For DFS it’s a headache. If you’re desperate, McGee is worth a dart. Howard is too if you are willing to completely ignore the rest of the centers.