NBA $20,000 THURSDAY: TIPS and SELECTIONS
Thursday serves up a giant 13 game slate in the NBA with multiple tantalising clashes.
All eyes will be on LeBron James as he returns back to Cleveland as a Laker for the first time, while the next round of Westbrook vs Durant goes down in the Bay.
Two of the best big men in the league collide when Anthony Davis and the Pelicans visit Joel Embiid and the 76ers, and a red hot Damian Lillard faces off with Giannis Antetokounmpou and the Bucks in another big cross conference clash.
With $20,000 up for grabs in the Thursday jackpot tournament, we take a look at some players you simply must have in your selections.
LeBron James – SF/PF – $20,070
LeBron is going to set you back big money, the third most expensive player on the slate, but the King’s return to Cleveland for the first time as a Laker is no doubt going to serve as a big motivator. Not that James really needs it, he has been feasting lately, including a devastating 51 point performance against Miami in his last outing. He’s been logging big minutes, as we’re accustomed to by now, averaging 34 a game in his last six games and averaging 39 points a game in his last three. LeBron is a nightly triple double threat, the Lakers have improved to 7-3 in their last ten after a slow start, and Cleveland to look absolutely horrible with just two wins on the year.
Russell Westbrook – PG – $19,660
Most outside of the Bay area are taking great enjoyment in the Warriors recent turmoil, but perhaps none more so than Westbrook. The history between Westbrook and former teammate Kevin Durant is well documented, and Westbrook will no doubt be wanting to go in for the kill sniffing some weakness here. The former MVP has missed some games of late, but returned to action against Sacramento exploding for 29-13-7 in 37 minutes. He’s also going to set you back a lot of money, but few can stuff a stat sheet like Russ, especially when he wants to make a statement. His performances against GSW last year included nights of 44-16-6, 34-9-9, 34-10-9, and that was a team that wasn’t struggling.
Steven Adams – C – $14,150
Westbrook’s running mate will no doubt be eager to join him in his crusade, and has been putting up consistently strong numbers. In his last six outings, the big Kiwi has averaged a shade under 19 points a game along with 10 rebounds. He’s got eight double doubles on the year, he’s a big minute eater, and the improved offensive numbers are catapulting him up the centre rankings. With the Warriors on the ropes, and particularly with Draymond Green out of action, their physical, inside presence is lacking which spells a great opportunity for Adams to put up big numbers once again.
Jordan Clarkson – SG/PG – $9,070
With LeBron leaving Cleveland for the greener pastures of LA, it’s easy to forget that it was only earlier this year that the Cavs had LeBron on the roster, and they were trying to make moves to bolster the team around him. One of the moves included the arrival of Jordan Clarkson from LA. Now, Clarkson finds himself on the NBA’s lowest ranked team hosting his former side. The Cavs have relied on Clarkson heavily as one of the few capable offensive contributors on the roster with a usage rate of nearly 27%, he has put up double digits in all but one game this season. The Lakers, albeit improving, are still a struggling side defensively, conceding the fifth most points in the NBA. Their perimeter defense remains poor, and Clarkson is more than capable behind the arc.
T.J. McConnell – PG – $5,000
With the curious case of Markelle Fultz taking another twist, the troubled point guard now out of the lineup due to an apparent shoulder issue, an opening in the rotation presents itself for McConnell who has been putting in good performances in limited minutes of late. Many have called for McConnell to already take the place of Fultz, but that remained unlikely given the 76ers investment in Fultz as the number one overall pick. But with him out of the picture, McConnell could be looking at around 18 minutes a night going forward, and he’s already proven this year he can play even more if needed who can chip in across the stat sheet.
Enter the NBA $20,000 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
NBA