DraftKings NBA picks February 23: LMA brings the Thunder

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 13: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 13, 2019 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 31: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives with the ball during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 31, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NBA centers:

Best Bets:

Nikola Jokic ($10,200): My only question here is if this game stays close enough. No matter what, I think Jokic plays a minimum of 30 minutes. He could very well have 60 DraftKings points in that time. Jokic is a strong play no matter what with Towns out.

Hassan Whiteside ($9,700): Whiteside coule be in for a huge night against Thon and Wood. Neither one looks equipped to battle with Whiteside up front. Whiteside is doing a little of everything right now. He’s a strong defender and a capable scorer. That’s going to be magnified against the faux Detroit front.

Honorable Mention:

Zion Williamson ($8,500): Is someone goint to stop this guy? It seems unlikely that it will be the Warriors without Draymond. It especially wont be the Warriors if Chriss is out. They don’t even have Spellman to throw at him anymore. It’s going to be Looney and Paschall trying to guard Zion. Good luck. You’re going to need it.

Serge Ibaka ($6,700): If we’ve learned anything in the first three meetings of these teams, it’s that Turner can’t handle Ibaka. Ibaka cleared 40 against the Pacers in both meetings with Gasol out and came very close wtih Gasol in. Expect another strong performance from Serge here.

Dark Horses:

Naz Reid ($5,500): Reid dazzled in his first start, piling up 38.75 DraftKings points on a solid Boston front in place of Towns. This wont be easy going against Jokic and Denver, but the Timberwolves are so short on players that Reid will likely play big minutes again even if this turns into a blowout.

Rui Hachimura ($5,300): Rui had another strong game against Cleveland on Friday. We are seeing what we saw from Rui before he got hurt. He put up 36.5 against the Bulls just before the break and the Bulls aren’t any better up front now. Rui is likely playing better. He’s a nice value at this price again.

Daniel Gafford ($3,500): The Bulls eased Gafford back into action, but he still put up 22.75 DraftKIngs points in his 25 minutes. He could do a lot of damage against Washington. I really like Gafford for this price. 7x value seems likely and he could go even higher.