The Late Cut: NBA $12,000 Thursday

The NBA returns on Draftstars with the biggest day of the week. There is a huge $12,000 to be won when you select your lineups from eleven matches. Highlights of the day’s play include the Houston Rockets taking on the Jazz, as well as the Golden State Warriors hosting the Boston Celtics. Tip-off is at 11.00am so make sure you get your lineups in by then.

Yesterday’s Score: 253.75

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Here is a team you may consider for the NBA $6k+ Tuesday competition

Point Guard

Ricky Rubio ($13,150)

Rubio is coming off a rare triple double, his first of the season as his Timberwolves pushed the Spurs into overtime. Rubio has not been shooting particularly well lately, however he brings a lot of assists to the table. Rubio is excellent at feeding his two main scorers, Wiggins and Towns, and in a high tempo game will have plenty of chances to score big.

Darren Collison ($8,950)

Collison is well positioned to have a decent game against the inform Spurs, who have played in multiple overtime games recently. Collison and his Kings will be playing the fatigued Spurs who hopefully will take them more likely than the two playoff bound teams they have played previously. Collison has been enjoying a slight uptick in production since All Star DeMarcus Cousins was traded, hopefully he can continue it here.

Shooting Guard

James Harden ($21,500)

Whilst he has not recorded a triple double since the return from the All Star break, Harden continues to put up huge numbers day in day out. Harden has topped 63 DS points in his last two matches, but comes up against the best defensive team in the league, the Utah Jazz. Harden can do it all, shooting, rebounding and assisting and is carrying his team to a high seeding in the Western Conference. Look for him to have a huge game and extend the gap on the fourth seeded Jazz.

Malcolm Brogdon ($8,350)

Brogdon has increased his minutes on court, largely thanks to efficient play as well as a cold spell from Aussie, Matthew Dellavedova. Brogdon has been serviceable so far in his rookie season and is considered one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year, but that is more of a reflection on the draft class rather than exceptional play. Brogdon’s Bucks come up against the Knicks in what will likely be a very high scoring game. Brogdon looks as though he should be able to score freely here.

Small Forward

Andrew Wiggins ($12,750)

Wiggins is coming off a quiet match where he was dominated by the form player of the league, Kawhi Leonard. Leonard shadowed Wiggins all game and restricted him to 17 points at 25% shooting. Wiggins will get it much easier against the Clippers who are a strong offensive team, but are lacking defensively. Wiggins should be able to bounce back with a strong performance.

Dion Waiters ($8,750)

After a bit of a slump, Waiters was dominant against the Cavaliers in his last match scoring 29 points on his way to 43 DS points. Waiters has been playing at a high level in 2017. Recent injury and indifferent form has seen his salary drop to a very reasonable $8,750, which makes him a great value play.

Power Forward

Bismarck Biyombo ($9,000)

Biyombo has returned two double-doubles I the two matches where he has started for the injured Nikola Vucevic. With Vucevic most likely going to be out for this match as well, Biyombo can easily make that 3 out of 3 matches with a double-double and keep his good scoring patch going.

Cody Zeller ($8,800)

With the injury to Frank Kaminsky, Zeller will regain his place in the starting lineup for the Hornets. Whilst he does have a hard task against Hassan Whiteside, Zeller should still be able to score and rebound, which should see him return a good score. With Kaminsky likely to be out for another week, Zeller is a good prospect for selection over that period.

Centre

Guillermo Hernangomez ($8,150)

With the long term injury to Joakim Noah, rookie Hernangomez has been receiving extra minutes in the centre slot for the Knicks. He has been injured recently, spraining his ankle, but will most likely return to the starting lineup for the upcoming match against the Bucks. It is a good fantasy play to choose the player who will spend the most time on Thon Maker as he is still a very raw prospect who concedes a lot of rebounds and points to his opponents.

The Line Up

PG: Ricky Rubio ($13,150)

PG: Darren Collison ($8,950)

SG: James Harden ($21,500)

SG: Malcolm Brogdon ($8,350)

SF: Andrew Wiggins ($12,750)

SF: Dion Waiters ($8,750)

PF: Bismack Biyombo ($9,000)

PF: Cody Zeller ($8,800)

C: Guillermo Hernangomez ($8,150)

Salary Remaining: $600