DFSGhost 
Only eight teams take the court tonight but this should be an interesting NBA slate. We have a rematch between New Orleans and Utah, while both Los Angeles and Miami are on the second half of a back-to-back. It’s a Thirsty Thursday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
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Milwaukee Bucks @ Memphis Grizzlies (-1.5)
Milwaukee Bucks (+1.5)
On such a small NBA slate, it is in your best interest to roster the player leading the slate in scoring. At times, especially on large slates, they may not be in the optimal lineup. However, on smaller slates, raw fantasy points are king. Thus, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be at the focal points of lineups. Giannis has scored 28 or more points in ten of his last eleven appearances, racking up seven double-doubles along the way. During that span, he has averaged 32.8/10.6/5.4 on 55.6% shooting. Memphis has good interior defense, but there is no stopping the Greek Freak when he wants to get to the rim.
Memphis Grizzlies (-1.5)
With Giannis being a priority at the top of the pricing grid, Ja Morant is the odd man out on this NBA slate. He makes for a good play with Jrue Holiday out on the other side of the ball, but rostering the two together limits the upside of your lineup. Thus, exposure to the Memphis offense will have to come elsewhere. Steven Adams has been a wildcard this season given his volatility in minutes and the strength of Memphis’ bench in the frontcourt. However, with Brook Lopez and Giannis on the other side tonight, he will be needed to match the Bucks’ size up front. Adams has a mere 14.1% usage rate on the season and averages 1.02 fantasy points per minute. However, he has averaged 8.6/13.5 when playing over 30 minutes this season, logging double digit rebounds in seven of those eight appearances.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Utah Jazz (+1.5)
New Orleans Pelicans (-1.5)
This is a rematch from Tuesday’s NBA slate and interest remains the same as then. Despite a blowout victory by Utah, Zion Williamson put up 47 fantasy points in a mere 26 minutes. He dominated the paint, as Monday’s writeup illustrated: “The Pelicans are still missing Brandon Ingram but this team is on an absolute tear right now. Not only are the one of the hottest teams in the NBA, but Zion Williamson has been turning heads. Over his last six games, Williamson has scored 25 or more points in each one. Moreover, he has averaged 31.2/9.3/4.8 on 68% shooting during that span through a 29.8% usage rate. With the Pelicans rolling smaller lineups and using Zion at the ‘5’, he’ll get the bulk of minutes in a favorable matchup. Utah currently ranks 28th in the league against centers and last in points allowed in the paint per game.”
Utah Jazz (+1.5)
Similarly to the Pelicans, the approach regarding the Jazz on this NBA slate remains the same. On Tuesday, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was highlighted, despite coming off the bench. He went on to score 35 fantasy points in 25 minutes played with only ten of those points coming in the fourth quarter due to a blowout. Tonight, interest remains in the trio of Alexander-Walker, Kessler, Vanderbilt, and Beasley.
Honorable Mentions:
- Miami Heat @ Houston Rockets (OTB)
- Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Clippers (OTB)
You can find me on Twitter @BetsByGhost and in the Win Daily Discord
