This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Thursday's NBA slate features six games and has an unusual, 3:00 PM Eastern start time with the Knicks and Wizards facing off in London. With a number of vulnerable defenses in action here, there are plenty of value plays to be found if you know where to look. 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
Kemba Walker, CHA vs. SAC ($9,200): Walker has been the lifeblood of Charlotte's offense all season, and he's in a groove at the moment after topping 30 points in each of the past two games. One of those offensive outbursts came in Sacramento, and Walker's primed for an even better performance considering the Kings surrender 117.8 points per game on the road compared to 113.4 at home.
De'Anthony Melton, PHO at TOR ($5,500): Melton has been a terrific fantasy producer on the defensive end recently, racking up 11 steals and seven blocks over the past four games. He's also dishing 8.0 APG in 27 minutes per game during that stretch. So, Melton's morphed into a versatile two-way contributor. His ability to overcome a poor showing in any one category makes Melton a valuable commodity at just $5,500.
SHOOTING GUARD
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. NY ($10,400): Beal's been spectacular since the calendar turned to 2019, averaging 31.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 6.9 APG in seven contests to start the new year. Another strong performance is likely forthcoming in what should be a high-scoring affair between two of the league's three worst defensive teams. The Knicks come in allowing the third-most points in the league at 115.8 per game.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL at OKC ($4,500): Caldwell-Pope was moved into the starting lineup Tuesday and responded to that move well with 17 points and 28.3 fantasy points in 31 minutes. His price hasn't caught up to that new increase in role, making Caldwell-Pope a nice bargain at just $4,500, especially considering he's averaging 20.3 PPG in the last three games in which he's played over 30 minutes.
SMALL FORWARD
Will Barton, DEN vs. CHI ($5,400): Barton's building his workload back up since returning from injury, playing 23 minutes in his most recent game. He recorded a well-rounded 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists in that one, and could see even more playing time here, especially if Gary Harris continues to sit out with a hamstring injury. Even if he sticks right around that 23-minute mark, Barton should deliver a strong performance against a Bulls team that's dropped eight consecutive games.
Kelly Oubre, PHO at TOR ($5,600): Oubre has flashed tremendous upside with at least 48.0 fantasy points in two of his past four games. The Raptors are more vulnerable than usual given that this is the second leg of a back-to-back for Toronto, creating an opportunity for some of the Suns' players to shine. Oubre should be a nice source of scoring after racking up 20.5 PPG over the past four.
POWER FORWARD
Kevin Knox, NY at WAS ($5,300): Knox picked up right where he left off after winning Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December, averaging 16.2 PPG in his first six January appearances, including a 31-point, seven-rebound performance in his last outing. His price should only keep climbing from here, so Knox makes for a nice value pick given his scoring upside against a Wizards defense that's allowing 116.8 points per game -- second-most in the league.
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. PHO ($6,700): Siakam has five double-doubles in his past nine games after recording just four all season prior to this strong stretch. Toronto's 2016 first-rounder is riding an upward trajectory that should soon lead to a bump in price, so don't be afraid to turn to him here after Wednesday's underwhelming performance in Boston. Siakam should be more productive in this significantly easier matchup -- a home date with a Suns team that's just 4-17 away from Phoenix.
CENTER
Joel Embiid, PHI at IND ($11,100): Embiid's in the midst of a tremendous season, averaging 27.0 PPG and 13.3 RPG. He's been even better recently, with 29.3 PPG and 13.9 RPG over his past nine appearances. Embiid's capable of carrying fantasy lineups on any given night and should be worth paying up for against the Pacers after piling up 40 points and 21 rebounds in the last meeting between these team on Dec. 14.
