Welcome back to the FanDuel NBA Lineup Advice! We have five games on the night and all of them could be over 210 points per game between the two teams. I think we all have our eyes on the Spurs and Thunder which should be another epic matchup. Please check out my lineup for Thursday’s FanDuel slate!
Tonight’s point projection totals:
CLE vs. DET – 217
LAC vs. MEM – 211
SAS vs. OKC – 207
PHI vs. POR – 221
LAL vs. PHX – 229
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Point Guards
Russell Westbrook (OKC): $13,300 vs. SAS
Westbrook shouldn’t be left off any daily lineup with his incredible play this season. Westbrook is averaging an incredible 44.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.8 steals over his previous five games. Yes, the Spurs are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. However, the Jazz are also, and they allowed Westbrook to go off for 43 points and another triple-double just last week. In the only meeting between the two teams, Westbrook scored 27 points while still posting 14 assists and six rebounds. He’s a must start and is matchup proof. PLAY YOUR STUDS!
Eric Bledsoe (PHX): $8,900 vs. LAL
Bledsoe has owned the Lakers this season averaging 24.7 points, 8.0 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 0.3 blocks per game in the previous three meetings this season. Bledsoe also posted a triple-double in the first meeting with the two teams finishing with 25 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. Look for Bledsoe to have another big game against the Lakers who allow the most assists to opposing point guards per game (10.0) and the third most fantasy points per game (45.7).
Shooting Guards
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (DET): $5,100 vs. CLE
Caldwell-Pope draws one of the best matchups on Thursday night against the Cavaliers who allow the second most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season. The Cavaliers also allow the most assists and the third most three-pointers to opposing shooting guards this season which bodes even better for Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope has struggled over his last two games but look for him to bounce back in this game.
Allen Crabbe (POR): $3,700 vs. PHI
Crabbe is coming off a team-high 23 points in the previous game against the Thunder in 28 minutes of action. Crabbe draws another favorable matchup for guards against the Philadelphia 76ers and will likely continue to spell C.J. McCollum. No question that I’m taking a leap of faith here as Crabbe is as up-and-down as any role player in the NBA. With the matchup and potential for a high-scoring game, I like Crabbe to at least put up between 15-20 fantasy points.
Small Forwards
Kawhi Leonard (SAS): $9,600 at OKC
Leonard got a veteran’s rest day on Wednesday but should be all systems go on Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook. This game is actually projected to be the lowest scoring game of the night but Leonard and Westbrook need to be in all lineups. Most of you are probably thinking why not LeBron James in this spot. Well, for starters Leonard costs $1,600 less than James while Leonard is averaging more points (26.3), more steals (1.9), and less turnovers (2.0) per game than James.
Brandon Ingram (LAL): $4,000 at PHX
Ingram has played better lately while averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 boards, 2.4 assists over his last five games while starting and logging an average of 35.4 minutes. Both of these teams in this game want to see what they have from their young players like Ingram and Marquese Chriss so expect to see plenty of minutes again with players like Tyson Chandler and Luol Deng getting DNP-CD’s. Ingram carries plenty of risk but could be a sneaky play in this game.
Power Forwards
Richaun Holmes (PHI): $4,800 at POR
Nobody has benefited more from the unfortunate injuries to Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor plus the trade of Nerlens Noel to Dallas than Richaun Holmes. Yes, Dario Saric has also emerged but the trade of Ersan Ilyasova helped him while he was already coming into his own before both trades before the deadline. Holmes is now the starting center for the 76ers and if he stays out of foul trouble, he will look to get his second double-double on the season.
JaMychal Green (MEM): $3,900 vs. LAC
I think all fantasy owners of Green were surprised to hear the news that Brandan Wright would be starting his place of Green in the previous game against the Nets. Coach Dave Fizdale hasn’t specified if this is a long-term move but Green still played 26 minutes and finished with nine points and nine boards. At his price tag, he’s one of the best value plays of the evening.
Center
Jusuf Nurkic (POR): $6,500 vs. PHI
Nurkic draws an extremely favorable matchup against the 76ers who allow the most points scored to opposing centers and the most fantasy points to opposing centers this season. That matchup and the fact that Nurkic is finally being unleashed in Portland, gives him a great chance for another breakout game. Nurkic is posting 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks over his past five games.
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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.
