NBA $20,000 THURSDAY: TIPS & SELECTIONS
NBA Thursday presents a big slate with 22 teams in action.
The big highlight of the night is the Eastern conference leading Raptors visiting the champion Warriors.
A big contest goes down out East with the second place Bucks visiting the fourth place Pacers along with a sixth vs seventh battle between Charlotte and Detroit, while out West the sixth placed Grizzlies host the eighth placed Blazers. We also see the next round of Luka Doncic vs Trae Young.
There is $20,000 up for grabs in the Thursday jackpot tournament.
Julius Randle – PF/C – $15,880
Randle has found himself in the starting lineup for the Pelicans recently and has been putting up some big offensive numbers. With Nikola Mirotic out, further minutes and opportunities present themselves for Randle. Over the past five games, Randle has been averaging almost 28 points a game, scoring 20 or more each night, including a monster 37 point performance. He has also been putting up big numbers on the boards averaging 11 a game over this stretch, with an average of three assists as well. The Thunder have been one of the tougher defensive opponents this season, but with Anthony Davis in place to tie up Steven Adams, there will be some opportunities for Randle at home.
Russell Westbrook – PG – $21,080
On the flip side of that match up, Mr Triple Double should feast on a Pelicans defense that sits 26th in the NBA. He is the second most expensive player on the slate, but a meeting with this Pelicans defense is worth attacking. Westbrook has put up three straight triple doubles, and has six triple doubles in his last seven outings. He put up a “quiet” triple double in his last game with 12-11-10, so expect some bounce back from Russ here who averages 22 points a game this season.
Jalen Brunson – PG – $8,330
With Dennis Smith Jr out, Brunson has started the last three games for the Mavs, logging 25, 30 and 31 minutes in that span. Smith is out once more for this one, clearing the path for Brunson to continue to get minutes. Brunson has put up double digit points in all three of those games, including 17 in his last outing, and has averaged a shade under five assists while also chipping in with rebounds and steals. The Hawks “defense” will be visiting Dallas for this one, giving Brunson a shot at a team conceding a league worst 118 points per game.
Luka Doncic – SG/SF – $12,530
This Hawks defense is bad enough to ensure multiple players can get their numbers, so we’re attacking it twice here with the Rookie of the Year favourite Doncic. There is an extra narrative here, Doncic vs Trae Young. The two formed the basis of a draft night deal between the Hawks and Mavs, with the Mavs sending a future, protected, first round pick to the Hawks to move up and snatch Doncic at number three in the draft. That is looking like a great move for Dallas so far, and provides extra incentive for Doncic to elevate himself here.
Jaron Blossomgame – SF – $7,000
The Cavaliers rookie put up his first career double double in their most recent outing against Milwaukee with 11 points and 11 boards. The points, boards, and his 25 minutes were all career highs in his very brief career so far. Coach Larry Drew remarked post game that he needs to find a way to get Blossomgame more minutes, this comes after he had 20 minutes the game prior. With Cleveland’s list of injuries, and overall lack of actual talent, Drew doesn’t need to look far to justify minutes for a fresh face who is putting his hand up. The Knicks have the 27th ranked defense in the NBA, so a good opportunity for Blossomgame to further show himself.
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