This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Thursday's 8:00 PM Eastern time NBA slate features only three games, but there should still be no shortage of excitement with a Warriors-Rockets clash highlighting the action. Read on to see which players stand out as options to target. 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
Quinn Cook, GS at HOU ($5,800): Cook's been up and down in the first three games since Stephen Curry hurt his groin, finishing with 41.1, 12.2 and 29.8 fantasy points. That averages out to 27.7 fantasy points, which is a terrific number for a $5,800 player. Curry isn't due back imminently, so Cook should continue enjoying a significant bump in minutes and usage.
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. ATL ($7,500): Murray has both a high floor due to playing time and a high ceiling due to his offensive prowess and matchup. He's played at least 34 minutes in each of Denver's past six games and already has a 48-point game under his belt this season. The sky's the limit for Murray against defensively challenged Hawks point guard Trae Young, and though a reduction in playing time is possible if Denver opens up a massive lead, chances are Murray would play a large hand in doing so and thus still provide good value.
SHOOTING GUARD
Klay Thompson, GS at HOU ($7,500): No Steph means more splashing for brother Klay, who was getting hot even before Curry went down. Thompson has scored 24-plus points in five straight games, and he's averaging 27.8 PPG over the past eight. When you're putting the ball in the basket that much, contributions in other categories will just be adding to an already strong performance.
Avery Bradley, LAC vs. SA ($3,600): Bradley is questionable after missing the past four games with an ankle injury, but it looks like a return for this one is a realistic possibility. If Bradley returns and plays close to his usual allotment of minutes (he's averaging 27 per game), he'll be an absolute steal at just $3,600. If he's eased back in, you can always drop his score while having more money to spend on the rest of your lineup by virtue of mixing in such an affordable piece.
SMALL FORWARD
Juancho Hernangomez, DEN vs. ATL ($4,100): Hernangomez has played 67 total minutes over the past two games, and while his per-minute production hasn't been very inspiring, that could change in this favorable matchup. Atlanta's opponents are scoring the second-most points (117.7) and grabbing the second-most rebounds (58.6) per game, so this is as good an opportunity as Hernangomez will get to capitalize on his hefty playing time.
Taurean Prince, ATL at DEN ($6,300): Prince is probably Atlanta's best all-around player, and he appears to be taking a modest step forward in his third year. His 15.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 2.8 APG all represent slight increases from the 14.1, 4.7 and 2.6 he averaged last season, but Prince is making a push for even further improvement. His two best performances this season have come in the last two games, during which he's posted 22.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 2.5 APG. In order for Atlanta to even keep this one competitive, Prince will need to build on the momentum from those two outings.
POWER FORWARD
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at LAC ($8,400): Aldridge is averaging a robust double-double of 17.9 PPG and 10.6 RPG, and he's grabbed 56 rebounds to go with six blocks over the past four games, a timeframe that coincides with the absence of Pau Gasol (foot), who will also sit Thursday. The Clippers allow more rebounds (55.0) and points (112.0) than average, so Aldridge is primed for another double-double here and should pace all power forwards in this slate.
P.J. Tucker, HOU vs. GS ($4,800): Tucker showed no sign of the illness that had him questionable ahead of Tuesday's tilt, playing 40 minutes in that contest after logging 38 and 39 in the two previous games. With Carmelo Anthony fully phased out in Houston, it appears Tucker's set to gobble up a minutes load close to those of the league leaders, at least until the Rockets bring in some forward help. With an average of 5.5 RPG and a 47.7 percent success rate from deep, Tucker does enough things well on the court to easily outperform his $4,800 valuation given all that playing time.
CENTER
Clint Capela, HOU vs. GS ($8,100): Capela will need to play a major role if the Rockets hope to take down the Warriors, as his rebounding and finishing in close can help counteract Golden State's strong perimeter play. Owners who can't afford Nikola Jokic or are reluctant to pay up for him considering he needed X-Rays after Tuesday's game should make sure to grab Capela rather than settle for one of the far inferior options priced below those two.
