This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
The NBA has a five-game schedule on Thursday, just a bit more than the usual three or four games. There are only two match-ups featuring terrible defenses (the Suns at the Rockets, and the Timberwolves at the Kings). Meanwhile, while the other three match-ups have much better defenses, it is still possible to see big performances as they also all feature battles between possible playoff teams with something to lose. All told, there is value to be had on Thursday, it's up to us to find it.
Point Guard
Ricky Rubio, MIN at SAC ($6700): Rubio has gone four-straight games without scoring in double-digits, but even when he's not scoring he's one of the best point guard producers in the other categories. The last time he faced the Kings he only scored seven points, but his 12 assists, five boards and three steals still allowed him to score 34 fantasy points. The Kings are one of the worst defenses in the NBA, especially against point guards, so he should have the chance to top that on Thursday.
Shooting Guard
Seth Curry, SAC vs MIN ($4200): The-other-Curry has taken advantage of his late-season promotion to the starting line-up. He has scored at least 20 fantasy points in five of his last six outings, and has averaged more than 28 fantasy points over his last three.
Devin Booker, PHO at HOU ($6900): Booker went through a mini shooting slump last week, but busted out of it against the Hawks with 34 points and five boards. On Thursday he faces a Rockets defense that is one of the worst in the NBA at limiting production to opposing wings.
Small Forward
Michael Beasley, HOU vs PHO ($5300): Beasley has been a bit up-and-down of late, but more up-than-down with five outings of at least 20 fantasy points in his last six games. When he gets minutes, he produces, and on Thursday he will be facing a Suns defense that is weak against opposing wings.
Nikola Mirotic, CHI at MIA ($5300): Mirotic has defined boom-or-bust over his last 10 games, with five games over 29.7 fantasy points, three, and two in the single digits. However, over his last five games he has been more up than down, with only one clunker (an eight fantasy point effort against the Pistons) but four strong games in which he has averaged 36.3 fantasy points. With the Bulls fighting for their playoffs life, look for Mirotic to turn in a good effort on Thursday.
Power Forward
Mirza Teletovic, PHO at HOU ($5100): Teletovic has stepped up big in the garbage-time of the season. In the last five games that he has played, he has averaged 30.7 fantasy points per game and he has another good match-up on Thursday against a poor Rockets defense.
Center
Tyson Chandler, PHO at HOU ($5400): Chandler has been a monster of late, with four straight double-doubles in which he has averaged 13.8 points and a whopping 15 boards per game to drastically out-produce his price tag.
