FanDuel DFS NBA Strategy Advice: Thursday (8/6)

The NBA has a jam-packed six-game slate for Thursday’s action in Orlando. FanDuel has plenty of contests to enter for the league’s double slate tonight, so let’s take a look at some lineup possibilities with value plays, studs, fades, and more!

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Value Plays

Point Guard

 
Rubio has scored 15 or more points in three-straight games and averaging 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 27-32 minutes of action. The Pacers are easing Malcolm Brogdon back into game form while Oladipo is halfway through his process. Don’t be surprised if Rubio pushes the pace and goes for 15 and 7 at the least.

Jackson has played fewer minutes than his opening game of 34 versus the Lakers with Patrick Beverly easing back into form. Still, Jackson remains a low risk-high reward guard in DFS lineups with his ability to go for 20 fantasy points or 35 any given game. Versus the Mavs, there could be more opportunities for him versus JJ Barea.

Burke is a real deep dive here in fantasy, especially with Barea coming back, but we can’t forget Burke dropped 31 points on July 31. Not too long ago at all, Burke can break any game open given the opportunity; he hasn’t played more than 23 minutes in the past two games.

Shooting Guard

 
Oladipo has played 27 and 31 minutes in his first two games back for the Pacers after expecting to be out for the restart. He’s averaged 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists for 26.7 fantasy points. The Suns have been one of the hottest teams along with the Pacers, so expect fireworks in this matchup.

Robinson has a significant advantage facing a Bucks defense that allows 51.7 three-pointers per game over the last three. That’s an insane rate, and if you’re giving Robinson 10 of those, he’s worth a stab in DFS. He hit five triples in his last game and had three in his first game of the bubble.

Trent has quietly put up three straight solid efforts for the Blazers. He’s had 21 or more fantasy points in three games off the bench, and he’s scored 16 or more real-life points too. He’s played over 33 minutes in his last two games, and versus the Nuggets’ short-term backcourt, Trent is a safe play to fill the final spot in your lineup.

Small Forward

 
Anthony earned himself a double-double on the first of two games on the Melo revenge tour. He had 15 points and 11 rebounds versus the Rockets, and now, he faces the Nuggets, the team that drafted him. He’s scored 13 or more points in all three restart games and averaged seven rebounds per contest so far in the bubble.

Johnson had a double-double versus the Mavericks with 19 points and 12 rebounds and followed that up with a 22.4 fantasy point performance at a similar salary. He’s quietly a solid play, and he’s played 37 and 40 minutes in his last two games, making him a DFS secret.

Crowder has fit in with the Heat nicely, posting 21.3 fantasy points per game in his first three. He’s played 28 or more minutes in all three contests and scored at least eight points in that span. He’s attempted 14 three-pointers thus far, and along with Duncan Robinson is a threat from deep versus the Bucks.

Power Forward

 
Adebayo has an exciting matchup with the Bucks, but he’s found a lot of success in two meetings. He’s averaging 16.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in those contests. He’s gone over 37 fantasy points in two of three games and has recorded 22 or more points with eight rebounds or more in two games as well.

Porter Jr. exploded for a career-high game versus the Thunder recording 37 points and 12 rebounds for 55.9 fantasy points. Without Trevor Ariza, Porter Jr. is a threat to have another successful night versus a Blazers defense that’s allowed 121.7 points per game in the restart (18th).

Kuzma and the Lakers have the opportunity to be like every other team and dominate the Lakers down low. Kuzma has the potential to get boards, showing flashes with seven versus the Clippers and four versus Toronto, but he’s primarily going to be a kick-out shooter. Kuzma scored 16 in two-straight games before scoring nine versus Utah, and the Rockets’ defense won’t do much to stop him or any Laker for that matter.

Center

 
Turner has now put in consecutive 33 or more fantasy point performances, and for $6,200, he’s the best center under $7,500 and far better in fantasy than Brook Lopez, the next center in value at $5,900. Turner’s averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists through three games.

Heat forward/center Kelly Olynyk has the advantage of facing the Bucks porous three-point defense. If he can find some open threes, he’s been knockdown thus far and posted three-straight games of 29.8 fantasy points or more. He’s scored 15 or more real-life points in three consecutive games and has been involved rebounding and passing in 28.3 minutes per game.

Howard had 11 points and five rebounds matched up with Rudy Gobert on Monday. He’s going to be a force-in pain versus a Rockets defense that allows 125 points in the restart, the third-worst of 22 teams. When Davis exits and Howard enters, he will be a force versus his former team and yet to miss a shot in three games (6/6).

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Anthony Davis (LAL) $10,500: Davis is a threat to go for 40-20 versus the Rockets small-ball lineup and after what Porzingis, Giannis, and Nurkic have done, I would 100% draft him.
• Kristaps Porzingis (DAL) $8,600: KP fouled out his previous game and was on track for his third-straight 30-point game before that. Expect him to come out firing versus the Clippers.
• Kawhi Leonard (LAC) $8,400: Leonard has had 28 and 35 points versus the Mavericks, and he’s attempted over 20 field goal attempts in both meetings.
• Devin Booker (PHO) $8,000: Booker hit the game-winner over the Clippers and now gets T.J. Warren and the Pacers. Get the popcorn.
• T.J. Warren (IND) $8,800: He’s scored 32, 34, and 53 points over his last three games, so ride his hot streak until he puts up a dud.

5 Notable Players to Fade

• Tim Hardaway (DAL) $5,100: Hardaway is a one-dimenisonal DFS player and he’s a pass for me versus the Clippers.
• Donte DiVincenzo (MIL) $4,900: He’s working his way back into game shape and with Eric Bledsoe back, his value declines.
• Lou Williams (LAC) $4,700: Lou Will played 20 minutes in his first game back, but clearly wasn’t still in game shape. A few more warm-up games before Williams becomes a DFS prospect.
• Eric Bledsoe (MIL) $4,700: Bledsoe played 18 minutes in his first game back for the Bucks and they’re going to restrict him until he’s in playoff shape.
• Hassan Whiteside (POR) $4,700: Whiteside finally cracked 20 fantasy points in a seeding game, but sadly he didn’t record 10 points or rebounds. He’s been a fade for three-straight, so let’s make it four.

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Beyond our daily fantasy basketball content, be sure to check out our Daily Fantasy Basketball Tools. From our Lineup Optimizer – which allows you to build winning DFS lineups in seconds for Cash and GPP contests – to our DFS Cheat Sheets – that helps you get a quick read on the day’s players – we’ve got you covered this fantasy basketball season.

Vaughn Dalzell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Vaughn, check out his archive or follow him @VaughnDalzell.