NBA $8,000 THURSDAY: TIPS & SELECTIONS
The 2019 NBA regular season draws to a close with one final 12 game slate on NBA Thursday.
All of the playoff teams are set, except for one, the eighth seed in the East set to come down to the last day with the Hornets and Pistons vying for that final spot.
We also wave farewell to two of the games all time greats in Dwayne Wade and Dirk Nowitzki.
Draftstars has $8,000 up for grabs in the Thursday jackpot.
Kemba Walker – PG – $14,540
Coming into the final day of the season, the Hornets, sitting ninth in the East, still have a chance to get in. To start with, they’ll need to get a win on their home court against the Nets. What that means is this arena is going to be absolutely rocking. Kemba has had a terrific year, capped with an all-star nod, and he’s been seeing it right through to the finisher, averaging 32 points a game in his last five contests. For the Hornets to win this, against a Nets team that aren’t the pushovers they once were, Walker will need to catch fire again. They will live and die on Walker this game, his usage should be sky high.
Andre Drummond – C – $17,890
Also fighting for a playoff spot are the Detroit Pistons who have a little more control of their fate. If they win, they’re in, it’s that simple. They’re on the road, but they’re playing the Knicks, so things could be much worse. Blake Griffin is listed as a game time decision and struggled through 18 minutes yesterday for just five points. Griffin has put this team on his back multiple times this year, and unfortunately for the Pistons that is catching up with him at the worst time. Fortunately for Detroit fans, his fellow big man Drummond is still out in full force, reeling off 20 points with 17 rebounds yesterday. We know what a monster Drummond can be, and with a playoff spot on the line, he will be giving it everything.
Khris Middleton – SG/SF – $11,700
With the best record in the league locked up, MVP hopeful Giannis Antetokounmpo is out of action for the Bucks final game of the year, turning over the keys to his all-star teammate. Middleton has scored 33 or more DraftStars points in his last four contests, dropping at least 20 points in each of those games, while stuffing the rest of the stat sheet as well. Most notably, Middleton sees an 8% usage increase when Giannis is out of the lineup, meaning Middleton should have plenty of opportunity to delight his home fans for the last time this regular season.
JaKarr Sampson – SF – $12.860
With nothing left to play for this season, and a team riddled with injuries, the Bulls offered Sampson a lifeline from the G League in April, and he has embraced it with both arms. Through four games with the Bulls, Sampson has flourished getting plenty of opportunities, albeit in meaningless contests but fantasy ball doesn’t judge. In his four outings for the Bulls, he is averaging 20 points with eight boards and has started getting up plenty of shots. While most people are ready to wrap the year up, Sampson is embracing getting NBA minutes. Philly can’t improve their position, so they may ease up here as well.
Dwyane Wade – SG – $10,520
It’s the final game in the long, illustrious career of the Flash. He had his last night in front of his beloved Miami crowd in his last game, and he went off for 30 points. He’s averaging 25 over his last three games, and has four triples in each of his last two outings. Wade has also played at least 32 minutes in each of those games. The Heat are eliminated from the playoffs, there is nothing left for them to play for, but what they can do is send Wade out on the high he deserves. Wade should have the ball anytime he wants in this game, and he should be able to do whatever he wants to with it. Further to that, we have seen throughout the year that Wade has still got game, he will leave it all on the court for his final performance.
Enter the NBA $8,000 Thursday tournament.
NBA SCORING SYSTEM
Point Scored = 1 point
Missed Field Goal = -0.25 points
Missed Free Throw = -0.25 points
Assist = 1.5 points
Rebound = 1.25 points
Turnover = -0.5 points
Steal = 2 points
Block = 2 points
3 Point Made Bonus = 1 point
Double-Double = 2 points
Triple-Double = 2 points