This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Thursday's NBA slate is a modest one, with just four games on tap beginning at 8:00 PM Eastern time. Despite the limited selection, certain players stand out as strong value plays here, with a number of guys benefiting from lopsided matchups. FanDuel's format only counts the eight highest scores in your nine-player lineup, so keep that in mind when making your selections.
POINT GUARD
Rajon Rondo, LAL vs. MIN ($6,500): If he returns from his hand injury as anticipated, Rondo should see all the work he can handle from the get-go with Lonzo Ball (ankle) and LeBron James (groin) both sidelined. The veteran point guard is primed for a successful return at home against a Timberwolves team that's just 7-16 on the road this season.
Damian Lillard, POR at PHO ($9,800): Lillard has poured in 30-plus points 16 times this season -- including three of the past five games -- and he has a great opportunity to add to that total against a Suns team that's surrendering 115.1 points per game. He brings plenty of momentum into this favorable matchup, having just carved up the stingy Thunder defense for 34 points, five rebounds, eight assists and five steals Tuesday, albeit in a losing effort.
SHOOTING GUARD
Klay Thompson, GS at WAS ($7,200): The majority of Thompson's value comes from his scoring ability, and that skill should be on full display here given his combination of recent results and a favorable matchup. The sharpshooter has scored at least 30 points four times in the past seven games, including 44 points on 17-20 shooting in his most recent outing Monday. There's little reason for Thompson to slow down against a Wizards team that's allowing the second-most points per game in the league (115.8).
Josh Okogie, MIN at LAL ($4,800): Owners looking to spend big at other positions should look Okogie's way in hopes of a repeat of his last performance. The affordable rookie scored 21 points en route to 35 fantasy points Tuesday in Phoenix, and he's now poured in double-digit points in four of his past six games while recording at least one steal in each. Don't be surprised to see Okogie keep rolling against a Lakers team that's far from full strength.
SMALL FORWARD
Paul George, OKC vs. NO ($10,800): George is in the zone offensively, having scored over 30 points in each of his past three games. He's getting it done on the other end as well, with 22 steals over his past seven appearances. George is set up for another robust scoring total with a Pelicans team that's allowing 115.1 points per game -- tied with Phoenix for fifth-worst -- coming to town. New Orleans is also battling the injury bug, making this matchup even juicier.
Sam Dekker, WAS vs. GS ($3,900): Dekker's worth taking a flier on if you need to clear cap space for some more expensive options. He's racked up 10.5 PPG and 5.0 RPG in just 19 minutes per contest over the last two, and a bump in playing time off the bench could be forthcoming if the heavily favored Warriors pull away. Even if his minutes don't go up here, Dekker's been doing enough recently to warrant a look at just $3,900.
POWER FORWARD
Josh Jackson, PHO vs. POR ($5,300): One of the silver linings in another disastrous season for the Suns record-wise has been Jackson's development. The fourth overall selection in the 2017 draft has come into his own in 2019, averaging 14.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 2.7 APG since Jan. 1. Jackson has a nice chance to surpass those averages against a visiting Blazers team that's just 9-13 on the road this season, especially with fellow Suns forward T.J. Warren sitting out due to an ankle injury.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. MIN ($7,100): Kuzma laid an egg against the Warriors in his last game, but he's far from the first player to struggle against that powerhouse team. His previous four appearances provide a better estimation of what Kuzma's capable of, and he averaged 27.3 PPG and 9.0 RPG in those four contests. In addition to their struggles on the road, the Timberwolves have allowed the eighth-most rebounds per game (54.5), so Kuzma should thrive on the glass while carrying the majority of the scoring load with James out.
CENTER
Jahlil Okafor, NO at OKC ($5,500): Okafor is finally getting another opportunity with the Pelicans ailing in the frontcourt, and he's making the most of it with 18.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 4.0 blocks in 33 minutes per game over the past two. Offense has never been the problem for the third overall pick in the 2015 draft, so Okafor's potential is terrific relative to his $5,500 price, as he should keep seeing big minutes with Anthony Davis (finger) ruled out and Nikola Mirotic in danger of sitting with a calf injury.
