With another compact Thursday slate, NBA Pick'Em players on Sleeper, Underdog and PrizePicks can gain an edge by leaning on reliable NBA projections, updated NBA injury reports and confirmed NBA starting lineups. Whether you're reviewing fantasy basketball rankings or checking NBA depth charts, today's matchups offer plenty of actionable angles. Tools like an NBA lineup optimizer and the latest fantasy news can help guide sharper decisions. And as always, keeping an eye on NBA rumors, emerging sleepers and any late-breaking updates is essential when evaluating today's leans.
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NBA Pick'Em Today
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets: Ivica Zubac over 27.5 points + rebounds + assists, Underdog, 1:30 PM CT
Zubac has been one of the few bright spots for the Clippers this season, and the big man could be in line for a tough matchup against the Rockets' frontcourt, regardless of whether he has to spend the whole game dealing with either Steven Adams or Alperen Sengun. Zubac is coming off a 15-point, 13-rebound performance in the loss to the Timberwolves on Dec. 6, and he has four double-doubles over his last five outings -- surpassing the 27.5 P+R+A line in each of those contests. He has had at least 26 P+R+A in eight of his previous 10 games and has recorded over 28 seven times. There's value in this line if he's able to take advantage of the tough matchup that awaits him.
Denver Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings: Cameron Johnson over 13.5 points, Sleeper, 1:30 PM CT
Johnson's role in the Nuggets' offensive scheme has been reduced to spot-up shooting, so his value will depend on how efficiently he can hit his three-pointers. Johnson is averaging 5.4 three-point attempts per game over his last 10 outings and is hitting them at an elite 48.1 percent clip, so it's clear the shooting woes he endured earlier in the year are no longer an issue. Johnson is also averaging 14.7 points per game over that stretch, a line that would be healthy enough to surpass the proposed mark here. Johnson has scored at least 14 points in five of his last eight games, and he'll face a Kings defense that has been among the worst in the Western Conference this season.
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Ryan Rollins under 29.5 points + rebounds + assists, PrizePicks, 1:30 PM CT
Rollins has scored in double digits in each of his 24 starts this season, and it's clear he has a prominent role in the Bucks' offensive scheme without Giannis Antetokounmpo (out). However, the emergence of Kevin Porter and the presence of Myles Turner, as well as AJ Green (shoulder) as a three-point menace, might leave Rollins with a lesser role than the one he had on some stretches in November. Rollins has failed to reach the 15-point mark in five of his last eight starts, a stretch in which he's averaging 15.1 points, 6.0 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. Plus, to further enhance the chances of this line hitting the under, Porter has recorded under 30 P+R+A in six of those eight games. Having to deal with the backcourt of Derrick White and Payton Pritchard isn't ideal for Rollins from a matchup perspective, either.
