This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Thursday's NBA slate begins at 7:00 PM Eastern time and features six games. Through a combination of opportunity and matchup, certain players are primed to provide strong value at their respective prices. FanDuel's format only counts the eight highest scores in your nine-player lineup, so keep that in mind when making your selections. It's also important to keep an eye on the news, as the trade deadline means value could unexpectedly open up in any game.
POINT GUARD
Jerryd Bayless, MIN at ORL ($5,700): Minnesota's rash of injuries at the point guard position has pushed Bayless into a prominent role, and he's responded with strong recent play. The veteran point guard has topped 30.0 fantasy points in five of his past seven games, scoring as many as 51.7 on one occasion. With Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones both ruled out with ankle injuries and Jeff Teague (foot) doubtful, Bayless should get plenty of chances to post another strong performance.
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. LAL ($10,400): A hip injury has cost Irving five of the past 12 games, but he's been terrific when he plays, averaging 55.0 fantasy points in the other seven contests. He's expected to be available for this home matchup against a Lakers team that's allowing 114.7 points per game outside of Staples Center, and Irving will be motivated to bring his A-game against ex-teammate LeBron James.
SHOOTING GUARD
Terrence Ross, ORL vs. MIN ($5,500): Ross has flashed excellent upside with north of 40.0 fantasy points in two of his last three games. He's also established a high floor for himself by pouring in 13-plus points in 13 of his past 15 games while averaging 17.5 PPG over that span. Another strong scoring effort from the explosive sixth man is likely to come against a Timberwolves club that's just 8-18 on the road.
DeMar DeRozan, SA at POR ($7,900): The Spurs will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back, but DeRozan will have fresh legs after he and LaMarcus Aldridge both sat out Wednesday for rest purposes. While Aldridge will draw most of the attention here against his former team, the Spurs' other star can be had for $600 less and is primed for a bump in playing time with San Antonio down a ball handler, as Derrick White is battling plantar fasciitis.
SMALL FORWARD
Jake Layman, POR vs. SA ($4,700): Layman has significantly outplayed Maurice Harkless at the small forward position for Portland lately, but the third-year Maryland product's price is yet to catch up to his production. Don't expect Layman to remain at $4,700 for much longer after eclipsing 40.0 fantasy points twice in his past four games. With his role set to keep rising if he can keep this level up, it's best to grab Layman on the cheap while you still can.
Jonathan Isaac, ORL vs. MIN ($5,800): Isaac's another affordable Magic player positioned to capitalize on Minnesota's road struggles. He's delivered excellent multi-category results over the past eight games, with 10.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. The athletic forward should continue to get all the minutes he can handle moving forward with the Magic looking to develop their young players, so the sixth overall selection in the 2017 draft may not be this inexpensive for much longer given his proficiency in the hustle stats.
POWER FORWARD
John Collins, ATL vs. TOR ($7,400): He's flying under the radar on a lottery-bound Hawks team, but Collins has blossomed into one of the game's most exciting young power forwards and he's only getting better. After racking up 35 points and 16 rebounds in Phoenix on Saturday, Collins was on pace for a similar effort with 15 points and 11 rebounds in just 16 minutes of playing time Monday in Washington before exiting due to a cut on his face. Already cleared to play in this one, a well-rested Collins should bounce back well in front of the home fans.
Dario Saric, MIN at ORL ($3,900): Saric has underwhelmed since coming over from Philadelphia in the Jimmy Butler trade, but he may have finally turned a corner Wednesday in Memphis. His 22 points and five assists in that game were both the most Saric has ever recorded in a T-Wolves jersey, and he also added seven rebounds while seeing the floor for 32 minutes -- the most he's played since Dec. 15. If that performance is a sign of things to come, this could be the ultimate buy-low opportunity on Saric.
CENTER
Steven Adams, OKC vs. MEM ($7,000): With Marc Gasol out as trade talks between the Grizzlies and Hornets progress and Joakim Noah questionable due to a heel injury, Memphis is unlikely to offer much resistance in the frontcourt. Adams should thrive on the boards here, with a good chance to rack up plenty of points via put-backs as well. You have to climb all the way up to Jusuf Nurkic at $8,700 before you find a center that's averaging more fantasy points than Adams' 34.8 and is playing in this slate, so the passionate big man is set to provide excellent value at $7,000.
