This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a healthy six-game slate on Thursday, February 28.
Per usual, we have several 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:
Jeff Teague is questionable. Tyus Jones would continue to log significant minutes if Teague remains out.
Ricky Rubio is questionable. He left yesterday's game with hamstring tightness. Raul Neto would likely pick up extra minutes if Rubio can't go.
Boban Marjanovic is out. Remember that Joel Embiid is also sidelined at the moment. Jonah Bolden will likely step into a larger role for the Sixers.
These notable players will continue to miss time: Joel Embiid, Hassan Whiteside, Domantas Sabonis, DeAndre Jordan, James Johnson, Tristan Thompson, Victor Oladipo
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
Take note that Tyus Jones ($5,300) would become a confident play through all formats if Teague is out.
Ben Simmons – PHI at OKC ($8,400): This should be a fun game to watch, and there should be plenty of fantasy production from both sides considering the inflated 240 point total. Simmons has been up-and-down lately, but I'm expecting him to come up big with Embiid still out. Simmons has taken 16 or more shots over the past three with Embiid sidelined -- a good sign for DFS upside. On top of that, the rebound rate will continue to surge, and playing up in pace at OKC (first in possessions per game) should help pad the stats.
Jordan Clarkson – CLE at NYK ($5,100): This Cleveland-New York matchup doesn't have a gaudy total like other games from this slate. However, it pairs two of the worst defenses in the league against each other, creating some enticing fantasy situations on both sides. Clarkson is a mid-range DFS streamer who could take advantage. He had a bad outing against Memphis last Saturday, but the Cleveland guard is averaging a strong 36 FPPG in six of his other most recent games. He could find that range in a nice draw at New York tonight.
Dwyane Wade – MIA at HOU ($5,100): Wade came up huge for the Heat last night, and he's suddenly averaging a respectable 35 FPPG over his past four. Miami will need him to keep stepping up with a shorthanded rotation, especially considering that Goran Dragic remains on a minutes limit. The salary remains relaxed on DraftKings, making Wade a respectable backcourt filler if you need someone in this price range.
Other guards to consider: Donovan Mitchell, UTA at DEN ($8,000), Dennis Smith Jr. – NYK vs. CLE ($6,300), D.J. Augustin – ORL vs. GS ($4,500)
FORWARDS
Tobias Harris – PHI at OKC ($7,300): You have to love the way Harris has been playing, rewarding DFS backers with 40 or more fantasy points in four of his past five. Tonight provides an excellent opportunity to keep the momentum while stepping into a lofty 240 point over/under at Oklahoma City. The Thunder rank first in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency to opposing power forwards, which opens the door for Harris to post some quality numbers. Needless to say, he's a confident play through all formats.
Kelly Olynyk – MIA at HOU ($4,900): As mentioned earlier, Johnson and Whiteside will continue to miss time for Miami. That leaves Olynyk and Adebayo to pick up the frontcourt slack. Olynyk has logged 41 and 30 minutes in that role over the past two games while producing 49 and 27 fantasy points respectively. The combination of a bargain salary and heightened role makes him worthy of a "core play" in DFS tonight.
Bojan Bogdanovic – IND vs. MIN ($5,400): Bogdanovic isn't a 100 percent necessity on this slate, but I'm keeping him in mind. That especially holds true for tournaments. Bojan has looked good with a 30 FPPG fantasy floor as of late -- something that should continue with Oladipo (and Sabonis) sidelined. There's room for upside beyond that while facing a Minnesota team that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency to opposing small forwards. We all know Bogdanovic can score in bunches when given the opportunity, and this favorable draw could be his chance.
Other forwards to consider: Draymond Green – GSW at ORL ($6,000), Justise Winslow – MIA at HOU ($5,000), Jerami Grant – OKC vs. PHI ($4,900)
CENTERS
Mitchell Robinson – NYK vs. CLE ($6,400): DeAndre Jordan will remain out for New York, which gives Robinson a chance to keep thriving in a starting role. The rookie has been fantastic over his past two games in that spot, posting 45 and 54 fantasy points respectively. Granted, those totals are inflated by 11 total blocks in that span, but Robinson has been great otherwise and that represents a big part of his game. The matchup is great against Cleveland, and the rookie should continue to thrive. Fade him at your own risk.
Bam Adebayo – MIA at HOU ($4,000): As mentioned earlier, Johnson and Whiteside will not play again tonight. That promotes Adebayo into a starting role, which is a position he thrived in for 35 fantasy points through 32 minutes last night. Adebayo has proven himself as an efficient fantasy producer this season, and he's finally seeing enough minutes to make some noise in DFS. He's one of the most obvious value plays of this slate as someone to build your lineups around.
Other centers to consider: DeMarcus Cousins – GS at CHA ($8,000), Jonah Bolden – PHI at OKC ($4,000)
