This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Guards:
Kyrie Irving, BOS at PHX ($8,000): After a rough start to the season, Irving has removed his Uncle Drew mask and returned to his elite form. Not only is he averaging 43 fantasy points per game across his last four outings, Irving has also scored at least 47 fantasy points three times in that span. It's his 26.2 percent usage rate and the fact that he's averaging 16 shots a game in that stretch that has made him an elite option yet again. The icing on the cake is the matchup though, with Phoenix ranking 26th in defensive efficiency.
Dennis Schroder, OKC vs. HOU ($7,000): Schroder has been a stud when he's asked to be the starting point guard, which is a role he should occupy again Thursday assuming Russell Westbrook (ankle) is out. In the three games without Westbrook this season, Schroder is averaging 38 fantasy points per game across 33 minutes of action while ranking top two on the team in usage. That sort of success should continue against the Rockets too, as they're allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season.
Isaiah Canaan, PHX vs. BOS ($3,900): It's rare to see a starting point guard below $4,000 but that's the case here with Canaan. It's not just the fact that he's starting, Canaan is also averaging 31 minutes a game. That sort of role from a starting point guard is unfounded at a $3,900 price tag. He's averaging 21 DraftKings points per game. Those 21 fantasy points sounds like nothing special, but that happens to be 6X value at this price tag. The blowout factor is nothing to be concerned with either, as Canaan is still averaging 30 minutes a game in fixtures where the Suns lose by at least 20 points.
Forwards:
Paul George, OKC vs HOU ($8,900): George is in the same boat as Schroder, as he sees a significant role increase with Westbrook out of the lineup. In the three games without Westbrook, George is leading the team in usage rate while averaging 22 shots a game. His 45 fantasy points per game for the season indicates that he's ready to break the 50-point threshold as well, and his floor this season has been 35 DraftKings points. Houston is not a defense worth fading either, as they currently sit 19th in defensive efficiency.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR vs. LAC ($4,700): Aminu is the sort of guy who can drive you crazy for DFS purposes, but he simply has too much upside to be priced below $5,000. In fact, Aminu has scored at least 26 fantasy points five times this season, and he's averaging 23 DraftKings points per game for the year. Aminu has also surpassed 31 fantasy points twice in his last four games, and he played at least 32 minutes in three of those outings. The matchup is nothing to fear either, with the Clippers ranking 23rd in total defense.
P.J. Tucker, HOU at OKC ($4,200): Tucker is one of those players who's getting too many minutes to fade at this sort of price, as he's averaging 36 minutes a game. That's actually one of the highest totals in the NBA, and that gives Tucker plenty of time to make up this $4,200 price tag. His 23.3 fantasy points per game for the year is enough incentive to use him, as that gives him near 6X value at this price tag. Oklahoma City is a great matchup for opposing small forwards too, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to them for the season.
Centers:
Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. LAC ($6,600): Nurkic continues to be undervalued on DraftKings, as he should be north of $7,000. That's clear when looking at his fantasy production, with Nurkic averaging over 33 fantasy points per game. He's playing his best ball of the season right now too, scoring at least 32 DraftKings points in five consecutive outings. The matchup is the most intriguing part about using Nurkic though, as the Clippers have a 30th OPRK against opposing centers this season.
Kevon Looney, GS vs. MIL ($3,500): Looney has settled nicely into a 20-minute role with the Warriors, and he could see a major increase here with Draymond Green (toe) out of the lineup. It's the fact that Looney has averaged a fantasy point-per minute that makes him valuable, as he should be looking at 25-plus minutes here. That means a 25-point floor would be no shock, which would give Looney 7X value.
