This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
The NBA has a four-game schedule on Thursday, just a bit more than the usual three games in the first week of the season. The Clippers at the Trail Blazers shapes up as the marquee game of the night, pitting two exciting, point-guard driven offenses against each other in a fantasy-friendly showdown. We'll also see the season debut of John Wall, Dwight Howard in his new home, and the Dwyane Wade/Rajon Rondo backcourt in Chicago. Should be a fun night.
Guard (premium)
Damian Lillard, POR vs LAC ($9100): There are three grade-A, premium point guards going on Thursday night in Chris Paul, John Wall and Lillard (four if you want to include Isaiah Thomas). All could pop, but Wall is coming off of injury and Paul is more expensive than Lillard. Lillard exploded for 39 points, nine boards and six assists in his debut against a usually extremely stout Jazz defense and makes for a strong play against the Clippers on Thursday.
Guard (moderate)
Dennis Schroder, ATL vs WAS ($6500): Schroder finally got the keys to the car in Atlanta, and as evicenced by the four-year, $70M deal he just signed, big things are expected. The Wizards were 20th in the NBA in production allowed to opposing point guards last season, so Schroder has a positive matchup, as well.
Guard (affordable)
Ty Lawson, SAC vs SA ($5100): Lawson is the starter in Sacramento for the first eight games of the season while Darren Collison is suspended, and Coach Dave Joerger said that he expects Lawson to play between 30-to-40 minutes per game during this time. On Wednesday Lawson notched nine points, seven assists, six boards, two steals, a block and two turnovers in 36 minutes against the Suns.
Forward (premium)
Kawhi Leonard, SA at SAC ($8200): Leonard was one of the best producers in the league last season, and in his debut on Tuesday he popped for a career-high 35 points, five boards, five steals and three assists in only 32 minutes against the Warriors. On Thursday he gets a Kings defense that was below average (18th in the NBA) in production allowed to opposing small forwards last season.
Forward (moderate)
Markieff Morris, WAS at ATL ($5600): Morris was an impact player in Phoenix two seasons ago before flaming out and becoming a journeyman last season. He has found a home in Washington, and in his last preseason game he looked more like what we used to expect from him in Phoenix: 19 points, six boards, three assists, three blocks in 30 minutes of action.
Forward (affordable)
Kent Bazemore, ATL vs WAS ($5100): Bazemore was a solid producer last season as a first-year starter, and he finished the season averaging 34.4 fantasy points over his last five games. He should be improved this yea, and has the chance to outperform his price tag. Jae Crowder was also in consideration for this slot at a slightly higher price tag coming off of a 34 fantasy-point debut on Wednesday.
Center (premium)
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs SA ($9800): Cousins matches up on Thursday with a Spurs frontline that he is too big and athletic for. Pau Gasol can't handle him, physically, and coming off of 24 points in 25 minutes on Wednesday night it seems that Cousins is ready to produce at a high level, as we've come to expect.
Center (moderate)
Marcin Gortat, WAS at ATL ($6500): Gortat is established as a mainstay for the Wizards, having averaged 29.6 fantasy points last season. He seemed to be in form in the preseason, coming off an effort of 16 points, eight boards and three blocks in 28 minutes against the Raptors. On Thursday, he will be facing his former teammate, Dwight Howard, and the Atlanta Hawks, and both he and Howard make for solid plays Thursday.
