The Late Cut: NBA $12,000 Thursday

The highlight of the NBA week on Draftstars is here with another huge $12,000 Thursday. There are ten cracking matches to choose your lineups from, with the highlights including the red hot Timberwolves travelling to Boston to take on the Celtics as well as the inform Trail Blazers taking on the new leaders in the west, the Spurs. Tip-off is one hour earlier (10.00am AEDT) due to US daylight saving starting, so try not to sleep in!

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Here is a team you may consider for the NBA $12k+ Thursday competition

Point Guard

Ricky Rubio ($13,350)

There aren’t too many point guards playing better than Rubio at the moment. The Spanish Magician has been carving up defenses with his incisive passing. Rubio posted a team record 19 assists in his last match against the Wizards, finishing up with 62 DS points. Rubio has posted four double-doubles in his last five matches and can easily make it five out of six against the Celtics.

Patty Mills ($8,700)

Mills has assumed the responsibility of stating point guard for the Spurs for this part of the season. With numerous injuries in the team, Mills has also become a high usage player, putting up 13 shots in each of his last two matches. With a lot of minutes and good usage, Mills represents great value.

Shooting Guard

Jimmy Butler ($16,250)

It a season that is balancing on the edge for the Bulls, Butler continues to shine for the inconsistent team. Butler carries them in their last game, scoring 23 points and dishing out 11 assists as the Bulls snapped their five game losing streak. Butler and his Bulls face up against the Grizzlies who are in a massive slump, so it could be a good game for Butler to score big again.

Dion Waiters ($11,600)

After a bit of a slump post the All Star break, Waiters has regained his touch and is dominating. In his last four matches, Waiters has scored over 20 points and with starting point guard Goran Dragic still potentially out with an eye injury, Waiters will see even more usage.

Small Forward

Marvin Williams ($12,100)

Williams has hit a purple patch for the hornets, posting five double-doubles in his last six matches. He has been a beast on the boards, averaging nearly 15 rebounds per match over his last four. If Williams can continue his hot run, it will go a long way to seeing your lineup in the money.

Derrick Jones Jr. ($5,000)

Jones Jr is one of the most athletic guys in the league, he just isn’t that good at basketball. Jones Jr is usually a low usage player, but someone who converts almost every opportunity he receives. Jones Jr will most likely start the game for the Suns and receive decent minutes, which makes him a good value play at his salary, and if he does decide to take more of his shots he could be a very good point of difference for your team.

Power Forward

Paul George ($16,050)

PG13 is set up for a huge final month of the NBA regular season. His team will make the playoffs and if George makes the All-NBA team, he qualifies for an extra $30 million on his next contract. George is borderline in that team now, but probably needs to overtake a couple to cement his spot. George and his Pacers are on the quick back up against the Hornets. Look for him to rack up a huge score.

David Lee ($8,350)

With the continued absence of LaMarcus Aldridge due to heart problems, Lee will continue to start for the inform Spurs. The Spurs have overtaken the Warriors as the leaders of the Western Conference and will look to cement their place with a win against Portland. Lee should be able to score freely as he is matched up against the inconsistent Noah Vonleh.

Centre

Ivica Zubac ($7,450)

With high priced recruit Timofey Mozgov placed in cotton wool for the rest of the year, the Lakers will persist with Zubac, who has shown flashes of promise throughout this disappointing year for the Lakers. Zubac has posted at least 20 DSA points in his last four matches, including a brilliant 42.25 DS point performance against the Nuggets in his last match. Zubac should be able to rack up some rebounds against the Rockets who shoot a lot from long distance.

The Line Up

PG: Ricky Rubio ($13,350)

PG: Patty Mills ($8,700)

SG: Jimmy Butler ($16,250)

SG: Dion Waiters ($11,600)

SF: Marvin Williams ($12,100)

SF: Derrick Jones Jr. ($5,000)

PF: Paul George ($16,050)

PF: David Lee ($8,350)

C: Ivica Zubac ($7,450)

Salary Remaining: $1,150