This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
NBA action resumes after the All-Star break with a six-game Thursday slate that begins at 7:00 PM Eastern time. Read on to see which players are best positioned to get their respective second halves off to strong starts. 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
Chris Paul, HOU at LAL ($7,800): Emotions ran high between Paul and Los Angeles' Rajon Rondo the last time both guys were healthy in a matchup between these teams, but look for CP3 to put the extracurriculars aside and deliver a strong performance just like he was doing heading into the All-Star break. Over his past five games, Paul's averaged a well-rounded 16.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 8.6 APG and 2.4 STL. A Lakers team that's allowing 113.4 points per game -- ninth-most in the league -- is unlikely to slow the crafty veteran down.
Shabazz Napier, BKN vs. POR ($5,200): Napier has done an admirable job since Spencer Dinwiddie went down with a thumb injury, scoring 15-plus points in six of 10 subsequent games while reaching double digits in all but one. He's also dished out at least seven assists three times over that span, showcasing a high offensive ceiling relative to his $5,200 valuation. Look for another productive night from Napier against the only NBA team with which he's spent multiple seasons.
SHOOTING GUARD
Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. PHO ($6,500): Clarkson went into the break on a high note, pouring in a career-high 42 points in his last game to bring his averages over the past four contests to 24.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 3.8 APG, with a steal in each game to boot. His instant offense off the bench figures to be on full display against a Suns team that's giving up 116.1 points per game -- third-most in the league and the most among teams in this slate.
Buddy Hield, SAC at GS ($6,300): Hield has demonstrated a high floor, averaging 34.8 fantasy points over the past nine games while never dipping below 29. While Kings players won't be popular picks against the Warriors, Hield is a sensible option at $6,300 regardless of opponent given his recent output.
SMALL FORWARD
Kelly Oubre, PHO at CLE ($6,900): Oubre's starting to come into his own with his new team, having scored 25-plus points twice in his last three games. The basketball between these two lottery teams likely won't be pretty, but there's fantasy value to be found in this battle of two of the league's eight most generous offenses. Oubre should get plenty of opportunities to capitalize on Cleveland's poor defense, as he's seen 31-plus minutes of court time in eight of his past 10 games.
Joe Harris, BKN vs. POR ($5,500): Harris is on fire from deep. He went 17-for-26 from 3-point range in the last four games prior to the All-Star break en route to 22.3 PPG, then upset Stephen Curry to win the 3-point contest over All-Star weekend. Harris' hot shooting should continue against a Portland team that allows opponents to hit 36.7 percent of their attempts from long range -- the fourth-highest mark in the league.
POWER FORWARD
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. HOU ($6,600): Kuzma hasn't been negatively impacted by LeBron James' return from a groin injury, posting 27.7 PPG in his last three games before winning MVP of the Rising Stars game with a 35-point performance. His value is primarily tied to his scoring ability, but Kuzma's also chipping in 5.6 RPG this season, and he should make an impact on the glass against a Houston team that allows opponents to grab 54.2 rebounds per game -- seventh-most in the league.
Josh Jackson, PHO at CLE ($5,800): Jackson will be eager to wipe the sour taste from his mouth, as he posted a clunker in his last game before the All-Star break, with eight points and five turnovers in just 15 minutes. He was rolling prior to that poor showing, with 22.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.0 STL and 0.8 BLK in 35 minutes per game over the previous five contests. The fourth overall selection from the 2017 draft has an ideal opportunity to get back on track here against one of only two other teams besides his own with 12 or fewer wins this season.
CENTER
DeMarcus Cousins, GS vs. SAC ($7,600): Cousins has been ramping up his workload, posting a double-double over a season-high 28 minutes in his last appearance, which was Feb. 12 against Utah. With over a week to get even healthier since then, Cousins should be able to log even more minutes if need be against his former team. In addition to the extra motivation that comes with facing the Kings, Cousins stands to benefit from facing a vulnerable Sacramento defense that surrenders the fifth-most points (114.6) and the most rebounds (56.8) per game.
