Welcome back to the Thursday’s edition FanDuel NBA Lineup Advice! We have a five-game slate this Thursday plenty of injuries to key players to keep an eye on such as Blake Griffin (knee), Wilson Chandler (back), Rudy Gobert (knee), Dewayne Dedmon (leg), Rodney Hood (ankle) and others. This opens up more value for young talents like John Collins, Sam Dekker, Juan Hernangomez, and Donovan Mitchell.

Tonight’s point projection totals:

CLE vs. ATL – 215
PHI vs. BOS – 211
CHI vs. DEN – 209
MIL vs. POR – 203
UTA vs. LAC – 199

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Point Guards

Kris Dunn (CHI): $6,500 at DEN

Dunn gets a mouthwatering matchup against the Nuggets on Thursday who allows the second most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season. Also, Dunn is coming off one of his best games of the season with 24 points plus four steals and eight assists. Dunn will continue to lead the PG duties while Jerian Grant backs him up. He’s a solid play any lineup on Thursday.

Ricky Rubio (UTA): $5,400 at LAC

Rubio certainly hasn’t lived up to his potential in his first season in Utah but with Rudy Gobert and Rodney Hood out of the lineup, Rubio is set up another opportunity at a nice game against the banged-up Clippers. With Patrick Beverly out and Rubio at a reasonable price tag, I like my chances here. On the Jazz side, both Rodney Hood and Raul Neto are out.

Shooting Guards

JJ Redick (PHI): $5,100 at BOS

Redick has taken a backseat over the last two games with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid both going off recently. If Embiid gets to rest on Thursday in the second of a back-to-back set, Redick stands to benefit greatly. He’s more than worth a spot in your DFS lineup in what should be a shootout and Redick can certainly knock down the three ball.

Kyle Korver (CLE): $3,700 at ATL

Korver gets a chance at revenge against his former team, the Atlanta Hawks. There are rumors that JR Smith could take some time away from the team after the death of his cousin plus Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert are nursing injuries. Korver would be an obvious choice if Smith does indeed sit out. He would be the top value play in DFS if Smith is ruled out. I’m starting him anyway against his former team.

Small Forwards

LeBron James (CLE): $12,000 at ATL

James remains one of the best when it comes to fantasy basketball and even with his first ever ejection from the previous game against the Heat, James was able to post 60 plus FanDuel points. This is a no-brainer against the Hawks. Get James in your lineup with confidence.

Evan Turner (POR): $3,600 vs. MIL

Turner slides in next to LeBron James this week in my lineup advice as it’s a favorable matchup for SF’s against the Bucks and for the simple fact that Moe Harkless hasn’t stepped up. Turner should see his usual 20 plus minutes which makes him a risky DFS play but he can score and fill up the stat sheet making him worth the risk. He’s a risk/reward type but LeBron James can help make up for it.

Power Forwards

Ben Simmons (PHI): $9,900 at BOS

Simmons is a must-start in my opinion as he continues to be one of the fantasy MVP’s this season. Simmons is coming off a monster 31 points and 18 rebounds against the Wizards. As long as he doesn’t rest after suffering from a few minor injuries over the last few days, he’s in my lineup. PLAY YOUR STUDS! (If he rests, I’d swapped to Derrick Favors and get Jaylen Brown in my lineup.) 

John Collins (ATL): $5,900 vs. CLE

Collins has played really well in his rookie campaign averaging 11.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game while shooting a solid 58 percent from the floor. With Dewayne Dedmon out now, Collins will continue to start and see plenty of minutes as the Hawks are shorthanded in their frontcourt. He should be a popular DFS play against Cleveland.

Center

Kevin Love (CLE): $7,800 at ATL

Love is coming off a stellar performance in his previous game against the Heat with 38 points but 32 points in the first half alone and 22 points in the first quarter. He gets a not so favorable matchup on paper but now Dewayne Dedmon is out of the lineup making this more appealing. He’s a solid bet for a double-double with Dedmon out of the lineup.

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Sean Fitzpatrick is a FantasyPros Correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Sean, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @seanfitz2323