Kawhi Leonard has been smashing value the past few games
Welcome back to Thursday’s FanDuel NBA Lineup Advice. We have a five-game slate tonight with many potential shootouts tonight including the Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets and the Knicks vs. Warriors. Only the Pacers and Spurs will be playing in their second game of a back-to-back set so we shouldn’t see many stars resting. LaMarcus Aldridge rested on Wednesday so expect him to be back. Keep an eye on coach Popovich as he always throws in a rest game for one of his veterans.
Don’t forget to check out FantasyPros Cheat Sheets for assistance with your lineups and the FantasyPros website for injury updates prior to tip-off. Without further ado, please check out my lineup advice below.
Tonight’s games and point projection totals:
- CHI vs. MIL- 207
- IND vs. NO- 210
- POR vs. DEN- 221
- SA vs. PHO- 210
- NYK vs. GS- 224
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Point Guards
Damian Lillard (POR) : $9,500 at DEN
Lillard is projected to be the top point guard of the night while drawing a more than favorable matchup against the Nuggets. The Nuggets allow the third most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season. In Lillard’s two previous meetings with the Nuggets, he’s averaging 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and two steals per game. PLAY YOUR STUDS!
Eric Bledsoe (PHO) : $8,300 vs. SA
Bledsoe has been one of the hottest point guards over the previous three games. Bledsoe has at least 30 points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals in each of his previous three games. Even though it’s a difficult matchup on paper with the Spurs, the recent struggles of Devin Booker makes Bledsoe still a solid play. Also, the Spurs are playing the second game of a back-to-back set which could limit some of their starters.
Also Consider:
Jeff Teague (IND) : $7,000
Jerian Grant (PHO): $3,500
Shooting Guards
Will Barton (DEN) : $5,200 vs. POR
Even though Gary Harris is listed as questionable, Will Barton has a solid matchup against the Trail Blazers who are in the top-10 in most points allowed to opposing shooting guards. Since returning from an injury of his own, Barton has scored less than 11 points just once in seven games. He has multiple 20 points games and has at least two rebounds in all of his previous seven games.
Courtney Lee (NYK) : $4,100 at GS
Lee is coming off two straight 14 point performances against the Suns and Lakers. Lee should be heavily involved in a potential shootout and the game projected to be the highest scoring with the Warriors. If Lee can knock down a few shots in the early going, he could prove to be a solid low-priced daily play.
Also Consider:
C.J. McCollum (POR) : $7,400
Klay Thompson (GS): $6,500
Small Forwards
Kawhi Leonard (CHI): $8,300 at PHO
Kawhi Leonard continues to be one of the top players in the NBA and for fantasy owners. Leonard is coming off a solid 26 point performance on Wednesday against the Celtics. Leonard has four consecutive games of at least 40 plus fantasy points and in all of those games scored at least 24 points. Make sure Leonard is in your lineups especially against the Suns who allow the third most points to opposing small forwards this season.
Evan Turner (POR) : $4,700 at DEN
Turner has been solid while running the offense for the second unit of the Blazers. Even though Moe Harkless is starting, Turner has actually out-played Harkless. Over the past five games, Turner has averaged 11 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the floor to go along with 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. On the other hand, Harkless has scored only 7.8 points per game on 43 percent shooting to go along with 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. (Aminu is also doubtful for Thursday)
Also Consider:
Kevin Durant (GS) : $9,700
Wilson Chandler (DEN): $5,900
Power Forwards
Kristaps Porzingis (NYK): $8,300 at GS
Porzingis has now vaulted himself as the go-to-guy on the Knicks offense even ahead of Carmelo Anthony. Porzingis has two consecutive games of over 53 fantasy points against the Suns and Lakers. What’s even better is the fact that the Warriors allow the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards. Get KP in your lineup with confidence.
Nikola Jokic (DEN): $6,000 vs. POR
Nikola Jokic has been sensational over his past four games. So much so that coach Malone is considering putting him back into the starting lineup. Jokic is the only sure bet in the Nuggets frontcourt and needs to be in your lineup as the Blazers allow the most points to opposing power forwards this season. Jokic is now a STUD.
Also Consider:
Anthony Davis (NO): $12,000
Jabari Parker (MIL): $6,300
Center
Tyson Chandler (PHO): $5,600 vs. SA
Tyson Chandler rounds out my FanDuel lineup for Thursday and has also been on a tear over his past two games. Chandler has three double-doubles in his previous four games with consecutive 20 plus rebound games against the Knicks and Pelicans. With most of the top centers off this evening, Chandler makes for a solid play at this price with breakout potential.
Also Consider:
John Henson (MIL): $4,600
Myles Turner (IND): $6,200
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Sean Fitzpatrick is a FantasyPros Correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Sean, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @seanfitz2323.
