NBA $20,000 THURSDAY: TIPS & SELECTIONS
NBA Thursday rolls around once more with eight teams in action.
Each conference features a potential playoff preview, in the East the eighth seed Hornets visit the fifth seed Celtics, and in the West fourth placed Portland host seventh ranked Utah.
With the NBA world taken over by Anthony Davis trade talk, he remains out of action robbing us of a chance to see a juicy clash with Nikola Jokic.
There may not be man big games on show, but there’s plenty of interesting options across the Draftstars slate.
Jahlil Okafor – C/PF – $12,110
With the Pelicans big men stocks heavily depleted, the former third overall pick has flashed some reminders to the league of why he was so highly touted. In the absence of superstar Anthony Davis, along with Julius Randle and Nikola Mirotic, New Orleans has leaned on Okafor with over 30 minutes in four of his last five games, including 37 in his last outing against the Rockets during which rewarded his coach with a big 27 point 12 rebound performance. He’s averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds in that five game stretch. The Pelicans are heavily wounded, so Okafor should continue to see similar minutes, though encounters a tough defense in the Nuggets.
Terry Rozier – PG – $9,830
Scary Terry is always immediately on the radar when Kyrie Irving is unavailable. Irving is currently listed as a game time decision, but isn’t expected to take the court at this stage. This situation will need to be monitored closer to the tip as if Irving is good to go, Rozier loses his appeal. Rozier is talented enough to be a starting point in the league, unfortunately for him, he is stuck behind one of the best points in the league. Getting the start in the Celtics last game against the Nets he played 35 minutes putting up a 14-7-7 line. Expect similar production from him against Charlotte.
Buddy Hield – SG/SF – $13,390
A visit from the NBA’s worst defense makes makes a great opportunity for the Kings young sharpshooter. Not only do the Hawks concede the most points in the league, they give up the fifth most triples per game in the league. Hield, conversely, is putting up the fourth most triples of any player in the league. In his last game against Atlanta, Hield stuffed the stat sheet 27-5-6-2-1 with five triples. That was in October, the Bahamian sensation has been getting better and better as the year progresses and will no doubt love another shot at them.
Edmond Sumner – PG – $5,000
With Tyreke Evans ruled out, and the devastating loss of Victor Oladipo, the Pacers depth became truly tested last game with Sumner entering the starting lineup. Having logged just 6 minutes on the calendar yet to date, the second year guard logged 28 minutes shooting just 1/10 for two points, but also putting up three rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Post game, Coach Nate McMillan suggested that Sumner will likely stay in the starting lineup. Assuming that is the case, despite the rusty shooting display, the 28 minutes for a player at basement price is difficult to overlook. The opportunities were there, the shots just didn’t fall. If he gets those opportunities again, maybe it will be a different story.
Kenrich Williams – SG – $5,000
First year forward “Kenny Hustle” exploded in the Pelicans last game logging a career high 30 minutes for eight points and sixteen rebounds both of which were career highs also. New Orleans were without Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Nikola Mirotic, Elfrid Payton and E’Twaun Moore, so there was plenty of extra minutes to go around. Some of these names are due back for this clash with the Nuggets, but Davis and Mirotic and Randle still out so the Pelicans will continue to need forwards. Williams is on a two way contract so expect him to continue to scrap for all he can while he gets a shot in the big league. His efforts helped the Pelicans knock over the Rockets which should garner him some opportunities in his next game as well.
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