This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
The NBA has a five-game schedule this Thursday, a slightly above-average number. The Pacers at the Pelicans and the Trail Blazers at the Nuggets jump off the screen to me as the two most potentially fantasy-friendly contests, pitting teams with unintimidating defenses against each other in reasonably evenly matched games with productive players galore. There are also some matchups of interest in the other games, particularly the Knicks' bigs against a Warriors' defense that gives up a lot of points to centers and forwards. Let's dig in further.
Eric Bledsoe, PHO vs SA ($8,300): Bledsoe had been flirting with it for awhile, but in the last week has entered full Beast Mode. In his last three games, he is averaging 31 points, 8.3 assists, 4.3 boards and 3.0 combined steals/blocks per game. The strength of the Spurs defense is on the wings, but point guards and bigs have been able to produce against them this year, as well.
C.J. McCollum, POR at DEN ($7,400): McCollum has scored between 23 and 34 points in five of his last six games, and over that stretch has also added 3.7 assists, 3.0 boards and 1.0 combined steals/blocks per game. The Nuggets are close to last in the league in production allowed to opposing shooting guards.
Brandon Jennings, NY at GS ($4,800): Derrick Rose has missed two of his last four games completely with a back issue, then had to leave the most recent game after only 10 minutes and was unable to return. He is listed as questionable for Thursday, but my non-medical-expert opinion is that it seems like he should be resting to avoid this issue potentially lingering for longer than it should. If Rose sits, or is limited, Jennings moves into the starting lineup. He has been productive when given the opportunity this season, and if the Knicks can avoid getting blown out, he has a solid matchup against the fast-paced Warriors.
Paul George, IND at NO ($8,300): George has scored between 21 and 37 points in six straight games, a stretch in which he has also averaged 7.8 boards, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game. With Monta Ellis out injured, George has a larger scoring and playmaking role than usual against a beatable Pelicans defense. Honorable mention to Kristaps Porzingis for this slot, as he's also been on a tear lately and has a good matchup against Golden State.
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs POR ($6,000): Jokic has awakened of late, with five double-doubles in his last six games. Over that span, he's averaged 17 points, 10.7 boards, 3.3 assists and 1.0 blocks in only 26 minutes per game. The Trail Blazers are near the bottom of the league in production allowed to opposing bigs.
C.J. Miles, IND at NO ($4,600): Miles is streaky, as always, but he has a larger opportunity than usual with Monta Ellis out and Rodney Stuckey struggling with a sore hamstring. Glenn Robinson is likely to start at shooting guard, but Miles should get plenty of minutes against a beatable Pelicans perimeter defense.
Myles Turner, IND at NO ($6,200): Turner is in the midst of another impressive stretch in what has been an impressive sophomore season. In his last three games he is averaging 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, 1.0 steals, 1.0 assists and only 0.7 turnovers per game.
Mason Plumlee, POR at DEN ($6,200): Plumlee has been in this space often this season, and continues to provide good value. In two games this week he is averaging 18 points, 7.0 boards, 4.0 assists, 3.5 blocks and 0.7 steals per game.
Tyson Chandler, PHO vs SA ($5,800): Chandler has gone rebound-crazy of late. He has four straight double-digit rebound efforts, including 44 boards in his last two games alone. The Spurs are beatable and not very athletic in the middle, meaning that Chandler should be able to clean the glass again on Thursday.
