NBA $20,000 Thursday Lineup Tips

We are through the busy Christmas period of the NBA and nearly at the half way mark of the season. The Warriors have retaken the top see in the west thanks to a slump in the form of the Rockets, which has been exacerbated by an injury to MVP frontrunner James Harden. Harden will miss at least the next two weeks with a hamstring strain. Over in the East, Boston are just cruising on top with the Raptors and Cavaliers a few games behind. There is a massive twelve games to choose your line up from today and it looks like the best chance in a while of the massive $110k+ jackpot target contest to go off. There looks to be a lot of high scoring games. Imagine that, turning $1 into over $110k. Entries close at 11.10am AEDT, so make sure you get in before then.

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Here is a team you may consider for the NBA $20k+ Thursday competition

Point Guard

Russell Westbrook ($22,650)

After struggling for large chunks of this season, the Beastbrook of 2016/17 is back with a vengeance and the Thunder are now sitting fifth in the west. The team that looked so out of sync with each other have found their groove and are now winning consistently. Westbrook is back racking up big numbers, scoring over 27 points in his last six matches and collecting two triple doubles in that stretch. You have to go back to the 19th December for the last game that Westbrook did not score over 50 DS points. He gets the great matchup against the insipid Lakers who are on a seven game losing run. The only concern is a blowout victory with Westbrook sitting out the last quarter. He looks like a lock.

Tyler Ulis ($7,000)

Ulis has been very serviceable for the suns this season, winning a month long position battle with the now cut Mike James to solidify his spot as the starting point guard for the Suns. Ulis is a low usage player, but generates a decent amount of assists. He will get plenty of minutes on the court, against the team which often forgets to play defence. Look for the Suns v Nuggets to be a shootout and Ulis to cash in.

Shooting Guard

Donovan Mitchell ($13,400)

The rookie has shouldered the load as Utah’s primary scorer this season and has done a decent job of it. Mitchell is averaging over 18 points per game, including a season high of 41. Mitchell shoots a lot and can be wasteful at times, however he will be playing against the Pelicans who are atrocious defenders and play at a very high pace which means that Mitchell will be taking a lot of shots. If he’s able to convert, he could be in for a big day.

J.R. Smith ($6,800)

Smith is an incredibly streaky player who can be a lethal 3 point shooter. Smith has been a great shooter in the league for a long time, but is also prone to having quiet days. In order to score well on Draftstars, you need to take some risks with players you think will not be highly owned. Smith should provide a nice point of difference for your team and has the potential to score well.

Small Forward

Will Barton ($12,150)

Barton is in the midst of a purple patch, scoring over 30 Ds points in three out of his past four matches. Barton is a good outside shooter who should see plenty of opportunities against the Suns who do not play a lot of defence. If Barton can continue his good run, he looks like a player who will score very well.

Allen Crabbe ($8,950)

Crabbe has been elevated to the starting lineup for the Nets who are once again struggling this season. Crabbe made the move over from Portland in the offseason, but has not had as many opportunities as he would have liked. Crabbe will be looking to cement his spot in the starting lineup and should have high usage against the inform Timberwolves.

Power Forward

Nikola Mirotic ($13,250)

After coming back from injury, Mirotic and the Bulls have looked like a different team, winning six out of their last eight matches. Mirotic has been in stunning form, averaging over 32 DS points per game this season, compared to last season where he could only manage an average of 22. Mirotic is a good scorer and rebounder and leads the second unit for the Bulls.

Amir Johnson ($6,850)

With Joel Embiid most likely to miss with a hand injury, Johnson should be in the starting lineup for the Sixers. The Sixers have hit a flat patch in their season, stumbling to tenth place in the East after being as high as fourth, they play the Spurs and look to drop even lower with another loss. Johnson is a good value option as he is a great rebounder who should get plenty of time against the Spurs. He is a great value option for today’s games.

Centre

Jonas Valanciunas ($8,800)

JV only played 16 minutes in his last match against the Bucks, due to matchup requirements. Apart from that, the big man has been flying lately, recording two double-doubles in his previous three matches. The big man should be able to dominate Robin Lopez from the Bulls and rack up another double-double. Expect more minutes for Valanciunas and a decent score.

The Line Up

PG: Russell Westbrook ($22,650)

PG: Tyler Ulis ($7,000)

SG: Donovan Mitchell ($13,400)

SG: J.R. Smith ($6,800)

SF: Will Barton ($12,150)

SF: Allen Crabbe ($8,950)

PF: Nikola Mirotic ($13,250)

PF: Amir Johnson ($6,850)

C: Jonas Valanciunas ($8,800)

Salary Remaining: $150