Rough Thursday night NBA slate. First there's only five games, with two of those expected to be defensive struggles with the Heat and the Sixers defense in action and the two late-night contests (Rockets at Suns, Thunder at Lakers) looking like blowouts on paper.

Is the Jazz @ Hawks game the one to target? Rudy Gobert is out and Donovan Mitchell is questionable while Atlanta is on the back to back.

Let's see how this wacky one plays out.

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Sixers (-5) @ Pistons, O/U 208 7:00 PM ET

Philly is on the back-to-back tonight after beating the Bulls last night. Joel Embiid is probably a go considering Tobias Harris is on the health and safety protocols list. Pretty low betting total for this one though.

Jazz (-2) @ Hawks, O/U 219.5 7:30 PM ET

The Hawks are home underdogs as they're on 0 days rest after a 117-108 loss in Brooklyn last night. Trae Young and John Collins both played 36 minutes and Clint Capela had 33. There's confusion on Rudy Gobert being out (Rudy Gay definitely is) and Donovan Mitchell (ankle) questionable.

Celtics @ Heat (-6.5), O/U 214.5 7:30 PM ET

Miami's defense looked human last time out in a 125-110 win over the Mavericks. It was the first time the Heat had allowed more than 103 points in six games tis season. Boston gives up 114+ ppg (29th) but three of their 8 games have also gone to OT.

Rockets @ Suns (-10.5) , O/U 218 10:00 PM ET

The first of two late night potential blowout games has Houston continuing their West Coast road trip at Phoenix. The Rockets only lost by10 and 2 the last two games against the Lakers though.

Thunder @ Lakers (-13) O/U 215 10:30 PM ET

Revenge game 🗡️ for the Lakers after they blew a 26-point lead over OKC last week in a 123-115 loss? Lebron James didn't play in that one, and although he's returned for the last three would he sit out in this 'easy' game. UPDATE: James is OUT

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Russell Westbrook DK $10.2k | FD $9.2k vs. Oklahoma City

• James ruled out (+6.66% usage, +19.34 fp)

• Davis questionable (+19% usage, +46.8 fp)

• In the perfect lineup in 4 of last 5

• Hit for 60fp against OKC last week

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander DK $8.4k | FD $7.6k @ Lakers

• Scored 47 fp vs. Lakers last week

• No James for Los Angeles

• Has had last 2 nights off

• 19+ shots in 4 of the last 5

Tyler Herro DK $6.7k | FD $6.4k vs. Boston

• Has hit for 40+ fp in 2 of 3 home games this season

• Has taken 19 shots in each of the last two games

• Boston allowing 2nd most points and on b2b

Jordan Clarkson DK $5.3k | FD $5k @Atlanta

• Donovan Mitchell could sit (+3.5% usage)

• Looking to rebound from 1 for 13 shooting night

• Hit for 32+ fp in both games vs. Atlanta last year

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Jimmy Butler DK $9.6k | FD $10.3k vs. Boston

• 47 fp floor over last five games

• Boston 29th giving up 114.6 ppg

• Celtics playing on back to back

Josh Giddey DK $5.8k | FD $6k @ Lakers

• Scored 38 fp vs. Lakers last week

• Has hit 6X in 3 of last 5

• Up-down-up-down trend is set for down

Mikal Bridges DK $5.1k | FD $5.2k vs. Houston

• Season high in minutes (42) last time out

• Suns get best pace boost of the night (+5.72)

• Rockets good vs. SF, but have played Bazemore (2), Bogdanovic, and Finney-Smith last four

Darius Bazley DK $4.6k | FD $5.6k @Lakers

• James out for Los Angeles, and possibly Davis

• Has 40+ fp in 2 of the last 3 vs. Lakers

• Late steal and dunk drew a Westbrook technical last week so should be fired up for the rematch.

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Bam Adebayo DK $8.1k | FD $8.8k vs. Boston

• Averaging 51fp last two games

• Averaging 17fga and 17 rpg last two

• Boston giving up 2nd most points in NBA

• Celtics playing the second leg of back to back

Andre Drummond DK $6.5k | FD $5.8k @Detroit

• Had only 7fp in "revenge game" vs. Detroit last week

• Sixers on back to back - Embiid could sit or see limited minutes

• Drummond had 57fp starting for Embiid on Monday

• Played just 14 minutes vs. Bulls last night

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