This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Thursday's NBA slate features just three games after 8:00 PM Eastern time, but certain players still stand out as value plays to target despite the meager selection. 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
Collin Sexton, CLE at SAC ($6,600): Sexton continues to shoulder a massive scoring burden, averaging 24.0 PPG over the past 13 games. The rookie combo guard should see even more scoring opportunities than usual against a Kings team that plays at the league's third-fastest pace (104.0).
Alex Caruso, LAL vs. GS ($5,200): Caruso is getting more playing time now that the Lakers have been eliminated from playoff contention, and he's certainly making the most of it. He's averaged 19.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 6.5 APG and 3.0 steals per game over 29 minutes in the past two, and there's a good chance Caruso sees even more floor time in a game that may not stay competitive for long. At just $5,200, he's a low-risk, high-reward option.
SHOOTING GUARD
Pat Connaughton, MIL at PHI ($4,800): Connaughton remains remarkably cheap considering he's scored at least 31.9 fantasy points in three of the last four games. Even if Khris Middleton returns after missing two games with a groin injury, Malcolm Brogdon remains sidelined by a foot injury, opening up minutes for Connaughton to continue producing.
Buddy Hield, SAC vs. CLE ($7,700): The Kings have fallen out of playoff contention, but that hasn't stopped Hield from continuing to build on what has been a breakout campaign. He's averaging a well-rounded 22.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.7 steal and 0.7 block per game in the past three, all without committing a single turnover in that stretch. Hield gets a nice opportunity to add to that recent success against a Cavaliers club with a league-worst 116.5 defensive rating.
SMALL FORWARD
J.J. Redick, PHI vs. MIL ($5,600): Knocking down 3-pointers is the name of Redick's game -- he's averaging 3.1 makes on 7.9 attempts per game this season. Both numbers represent career highs and rank among the league's top 10. Redick's proficiency from long range should pay off in this matchup with a Bucks team that's been susceptible to the 3-pointer, allowing a league-high 13.0 makes from deep per game on the road.
Kevin Durant, GS at LAL ($9,800): With pickings pretty slim at the small forward position and Giannis Antetokounmpo only a few days removed from missing Sunday's game with an ankle issue, it makes sense to go with Durant at $2,400 cheaper than the Greek Freak. The biggest downside with Durant is the strong possibility of the Warriors getting up big and limiting his minutes. Still, this is a guy who can roll out of bed and score 20 points, and Durant has topped 50.0 fantasy points twice in his last four games.
POWER FORWARD
Larry Nance, CLE at SAC ($7,400): Nance's well-rounded skill set translates well to the fantasy realm, as his healthy mix of points, rebounds and assists has allowed Nance to score 32.4 or more fantasy points in five of his last seven games. He's also chipping in 2.0 steals per contest in these past seven, and Nance could be in line for an expanded role if Kevin Love's back injury forces the fellow power forward to miss a third straight game. Regardless of Love's status, Nance is a high-floor pick against the fast-paced Kings.
Tobias Harris, PHI vs. MIL ($7,000): Like his teammate Redick, Harris has the skill set to exploit Milwaukee's weakness on defense, as he's knocking down 2.0 of 4.8 3-point attempts per game this season, and has seen his number of attempts from deep climb since being traded to Philadelphia. While that 3-point volume can't quite match Redick's, Harris is a more complete player, offering significantly more rebounding and scoring inside the arc to more than make up the difference.
CENTER
DeMarcus Cousins, GS at LAL ($9,200): It's not like the Warriors needed Cousins, but they have him, and he's looking fully healthy. In addition to doing damage in the half court offense, Cousins' tendency to take his time getting back on defense leads to plenty of easy fast break points when the rest of the Warriors manage to get a stop without his help. Like Durant, Cousins has also displayed nice upside with over 50.0 points in two of his last four games.
