This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Thursday's NBA slate consists of four games and begins at 8:00 PM Eastern time. Despite the limited selection, there are still certain players that stand out as strong value plays at their respective prices, so read on to see who those guys are. 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
De'Anthony Melton, PHO vs. DAL ($6,000): Melton's in the midst of a breakout after a slow start to his rookie season, having scored 32.9 or more fantasy points in three of the past five games. His two most productive outings over that stretch have come in the last two games, during which Melton's also averaging 34 minutes on the court. Expect the USC product's growth to continue against a Mavericks team that's playing its second game in as many nights, especially with Devin Booker still sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Chris Paul, HOU vs. LAL ($8,200): Paul's far and away the best point guard in this slate, and it's well worth paying the extra $900 for him as compared to grabbing Lonzo Ball or going bargain hunting for two point guards. It helps that Paul's coming off a triple-double and getting ready to host a Lakers team that's giving up 110.7 points per game.
SHOOTING GUARD
Luka Doncic, DAL at PHO ($7,400): Doncic has had no problem carrying an increased workload with backcourt partner Dennis Smith sidelined by a wrist injury, averaging 9.3 RPG and 5.3 APG in the past three games while eclipsing 20 points in two of those. Even on the second leg of a back-to-back, things should be no different against a Suns team that's allowing 114.1 points per game -- more than any other team in this slate. If Dallas wants to hang on to its surprising early-season playoff spot, the Rookie of the Year front-runner will need to find ways to lead the team to wins in such situations. Expect Doncic to do so.
Justin Holiday, CHI at ORL ($5,400): If you exclude Saturday's 56-point blowout loss to Boston, Holiday's averaging 36 minutes of playing time in the past 10 games. He's made the most of that playing time with over 25.0 fantasy points in eight of those games and more than 35.0 in five. With injuries ravaging the shooting guard position in this slate, Holiday stands out as a quietly effective option.
SMALL FORWARD
T.J. Warren, PHO vs. DAL ($6,400): This is the perfect time to look Warren's way. His price is still depressed by a recent ankle injury, but he seems to have finally returned to health. Warren was reinserted into the starting lineup Tuesday against the Spurs and immediately became the focal point of Phoenix's offense sans Booker, with 23 points in 24 minutes. His minutes should inch up once again here, so the gifted scorer's primed to provide strong value at $6,400.
Rudy Gay, SA vs. LAC ($6,400): Gay's minutes fluctuate, but he offers terrific upside when he gets extended run. Among his past four games are outings with 45.4 and 47 fantasy points in 35 and 34 minutes, respectively. Against a Clippers team that employs fellow tweener forward Tobias Harris, Gay seems primed to receive north of 30 minutes, thus setting him up for success.
POWER FORWARD
Kyle Kuzma, LAL at HOU ($7,900): Kuzma's on a roll right now, having recorded 39.3 or more fantasy points in each of the past five games while averaging 25.0 PPG and 8.2 RPG over that stretch. He's benefited from extended minutes in the past four with Brandon Ingram out due to a sprained ankle, playing 38 or more three times and 34 in the other contest. Between his recent effectiveness and short-term increase in role, Kuzma's returning tremendous value at the moment.
Aaron Gordon, ORL vs. CHI ($8,000): Gordon's coming off a clunker against Dallas, but he averaged 44.5 fantasy points in the previous three games, twice racking up at least 20 points and 13 rebounds. A bounce-back performance is likely to come against a Bulls team that's been outscored by 75 points in losing its past two games. For the season, Chicago's allowing the eighth-most points per game (112.9) and third-most rebounds per game (56.4).
CENTER
DeAndre Ayton, PHO vs. DAL ($7,400): Ayton's seen an uptick in production in five games since Booker went down, averaging a 13.8-point, 10.2-rebound double-double to go with 1.4 blocks per contest. The rookie first overall pick racked up 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in his first meeting with Dallas, so Ayton's likely to stretch his double-double streak to four games here.
