NBA Fever $30k Thursday Best Buys
Thursday’s NBA schedule brings us 10 cracking games, with the clear standout being the clash between Golden State and the LA Clippers. For the NBA Fever $30K Thursday contest, we have targeted players who are in-form and who carry low price tags, and you should too!
Here is a team you may consider for the NBA Fever $30K+ Thursday competition
Point Guard
Kemba Walker ($15,700)
Just when you think Kemba Walker has reached his ceiling, he adds a new dimension to his game that transforms the way he plays. Last season he added a lethal three-point shot that opened up his entire game, as it meant defenders couldn’t sag off on defence and wait for him to drive to the bucket. This new component turned him into an all-round star and made him the heart and soul of the Charlotte offence, proven by the fact that the Hornets are 10.5 points per 100 possessions more efficient on offence when Kemba is on the floor. He is averaging a career high in points (23.8 per game) while also improving his field goal percentage to 42%, the highest in his career by far. Up against the frisky Pistons who are currently ranked fifth in defensive efficiency, expect Kemba to not be affected by this, as his direct opponent, Reggie Jackson, is still getting comfortable after recovering from injury.
Sean Kilpatrick ($8,750)
It’s easy to pick a player on hype, but given the price of Sean Kilpatrick and his individual form over the last half-dozen games, he should be guaranteed a spot at your second point-guard slot. It’s extremely hard to ignore his 38-point, 14-rebound outing just over a week ago, but it’s his consistency and increased minutes (35.3 per game) over the past seven days that should sway you towards picking him. As mentioned before, his past six games have been solid – a 22-point, five-board and 3.6-assist average across those games is fantastic for a guy who has been relied upon to shoulder the backcourt load in the absence of Jeremy Lin.
Shooting Guard
Devin Booker ($10,500)
The second-year guard out of Michigan has certainly lived up to expectations, leading the way in a young Suns offence. Through 19 games this season Booker has averaged 19.2 points and 1.6 threes per game at 42% shooting, as well as 80% from the charity stripe. The biggest motive for selecting Booker at our first two-guard spot is because Phoenix will come up against the Pacers on Thursday. It is likely that Booker will spend a lot of time on Monta Ellis as his direct opponent who’s renowned for not being a very good perimeter defender. This should mean Booker will get plenty of wide-open, and catch-and-shoot shots by getting ahead of Ellis on off-ball screens.
Lou Williams ($8,950)
Lou Williams has been a great scorer off the bench throughout his career, and even more so in the absence of D’Angelo Russell who is struggling with a knee injury. Williams has been solid this season, averaging 17.5 points from 24 minutes per game, which has increased to 21.8 points from an improved 26.8 minutes per game across the past week. Coming off an incredible 40-point display just a few days ago against Memphis, expect Williams to continue his hot form in one way or another and produce a respectable fantasy score.
Wilson Chandler ($10,500)
After missing the entire 2015-16 campaign with a hip injury, Wilson Chandler is enjoying a career year with the Nuggets so far, averaging 18.5 points at nearly 48% from the field. He has cut down on his proficiency to shoot the three-ball (only 27.5% of his shots coming from beyond the arc as opposed to 41.6% and 47.6% in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons respectively), which has allowed him to use his size and speed to blow by opposing big-men and get to the basket. Look for Chandler to have a field day against the Nets, as Bojan Bogdanovic doesn’t possess the athleticism to contain both the shooting and off the bounce game that makes Chandler such a tough one-on-one matchup.
Marcus Morris ($8,950)
Despite being an up and down player all year,, a matchup with Frank Kaminsky will likely see Marcus Morris lead the way for the Pistons on offence. Morris is far more athletic and versatile than Kaminsky who becomes extremely uncomfortable playing defence outside the key. Taking this into account, it should certainly warrant picking Morris for our Thursday lineups. In addition, his last four outings have been solid – a 17.8-point, 4.3-rebound average across those games. Last time out against the Hornets Morris put up 18 points from 18 field-goal attempts – proving he was given plenty of opportunities on the offensive end of the floor. Expect Morris to again be given the authority to take plenty of shots to help get Detroit over the line.
Power Forward
Myles Turner ($13,200)
Myles Turner has upped his field-goal percentage from just fewer than 50% to more than 53% while increasing his points from 10.3 a game to 14.8. Turner has shown his greatest improvements in his mid-range game, hitting an insane 57% from between 16 feet and the three-point line. Against a young Suns team, Turner can use his strong shooting ability to dominate the lanky Alex Len, forcing him to close out on his jumper, which will open up driving lanes and easy shots close to the basket.
John Henson ($6,250)
It appears that John Henson has now locked down the starting center spot, and he has repaid the faith shown in him by Bucks coach Jason Kidd. Across his last four outings, Henson is going at an average of 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and three blocks per game, also going at a combined 55% from the field. At an almost minimum cost, Henson’s price is too hard to say no to given his performances across the last week. Let’s hope he can carry this form through to Milwaukee’s clash with the Trailblazers.
Centre
Hassan Whiteside ($17,150)
Not only is Hassan Whiteside playing like an All-Star caliber player to get his 2k rating up, he’s also making a strong case for a spot in your NBA Fever $30k+ Thursday Draftstars side. Recent form is one reason you shouldn’t ignore Whiteside, with a handy 21.8-point, 14.8-rebound and 2.8-block average across the last week – and that alone should be enough to seal the deal. Additionally, Whiteside devastated Dwight Howard on the boards last time the Heat met Atlanta, pulling in 25 rebounds and chipping in 19 points from 38 minutes of action. Lock him in with confidence.
The Line Up
PG: Kemba Walker ($15,700)
PG: Sean Kilpatrick ($8,750)
SG: Devin Booker ($10,500)
SG: Lou Williams ($8,950)
SF: Wilson Chandler ($10,500)
SF: Marcus Morris ($8,950)
PF: Myles Turner ($13,200)
PF: John Henson ($6,250)
C: Hassan Whiteside ($17,150)
Salary Remaining: $50
NBA SCORING SYSTEM
Base Points
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 point
Block = 2 points
Bonuses
3 Point Made = 1 point
Double-Double = 2 points
Triple-Double = 2 points
Tune into ESPN Channel 508 for the massive doubleheader on Thursday from midday AEDT. First, Cleveland travel to New York to battle the Knicks, before the game of the day features Golden State and the LA Clippers.