This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Notably narrow player pools such as Thursday's always make for interesting nights in DFS, particularly for tournaments. Finding that one lower-owned option that goes off or having unique lineup construction is usually the key to success on these type of nights, and being price-sensitive with the high-end options can also be critical in many cases. Without further ado, let's sift through each level and attempt to uncover the best ways to utilize your dollars on a night of relatively scarce supply:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Stephen Curry, GS at HOU ($17,600): Curry comes at a significant discount over top options Russell Westbrook ($22,100) and Chris Paul ($20,100) but naturally offers more than enough upside for tournaments. He's been red-hot in his two games since returning from an extended absence due to an ankle injury, as he's shot 66.7 percent – including 61.5 percent from three-point range – in that pair of contests. That's led to fantasy-point tallies of 52.50 and 53.75 in matchups against the Grizzlies and Mavericks, and he could well be in line for similar production Thursday. The Rockets have allowed a whopping 68.3 fantasy points to point guards over the last five contests, along with 31.6 points (on 52.0 percent shooting), 11.2 assists and 8.0 rebounds.
Mid-Tier
Klay Thompson, GS at HOU ($13,200): Houston has been vulnerable to shooting guards throughout the season as well, and Eric Gordon doesn't necessarily represent a significant defensive upgrade over James Harden (hamstring) either. The Rockets have allowed 52.8 fantasy points to twos over the last 10 contests, while Thompson has scored between 29.50 and 44.25 fantasy points in five of his last six contests, with the high end of that range having come Wednesday with Curry back in the lineup.
Affordable
Gerald Green, HOU vs. GS ($9,000): Although Green's price is on the move upward following his 41.00 fantasy points against the Magic on Wednesday, he should see an expanded role again Thursday with James Harden (hamstring) sidelined. He's scored no fewer than 18.25 fantasy points in three games since joining the Rockets, and he should be in for a solid workload again versus a Warriors squad that's allowed 62.3 fantasy points to twos over the last five games, seventh-most during that span and a notably higher figure than the 42.7 they've surrendered on the season. They've also allowed 4.4 made three-pointers and a 47.0 percent success rate to the position over that span, both numbers that dovetail nicely for fantasy purposes with Green's marksmanship.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Blake Griffin, LAC vs. OKC ($16,500): Like Curry, Griffin has also hit the ground running following an extended injury absence, as he's scored between 40.00 and 47.75 fantasy points in the three games since his return. The All-Star big man is sporting a 30.5 percent usage rate and averaging 1.27 fantasy points per minute over that span, furthering his case against a Thunder squad that's allowed 43.0 fantasy points per game to power forwards over the last five games and the second-highest shooting percentage (49.0) to the position on the season.
Mid-Tier
Paul George, OKC at LAC ($13,200): George collected an efficient 37.00 fantasy points in just 27 minutes versus the Lakers on Wednesday, and he's actually seen a $500 price reduction for Thursday's slate. That puts him squarely in play once again versus a Clippers squad that's proven vulnerable to threes on multiple occasions this season, especially against those with a proficient shooting touch like George. Los Angeles comes into Thursday allowing the fifth-most made three-pointers (2.5) to the position on the season, along with the 10th-most points (21.6). George is flashing a hot hand from the field as of late, shooting 58.7 percent over the last five games, including 57.9 percent from three-point range.
Affordable
Ryan Anderson, HOU vs. GS ($8,500): For those that need to go down to minimum, the Thunder's Terrance Ferguson ($6,000) also makes for a highly viable play in what should be another start Thursday. However, Anderson is priced right for a player who should continue to enjoy a significant uptick in scoring responsibility and opportunity while Harden remains sidelined. That was already on display in Wednesday's win over the Magic, when he posted 28.25 fantasy points and put up 12 shot attempts, with the latter number representing a considerable increase over the 8.4 he's been averaging on the campaign. That increase in usage should be par for the course on most nights while Harden remains out, and a matchup against a fast-paced Warriors squad that's allowed the second-most fantasy points (48.2) to power forwards on the season – including the most (60.0) over the last 10 – should allow him ample opportunity to pay off his modest price.
UTILITY:
Lou Williams, LAC vs. OKC ($14,900): Williams has been on a multi-game tear that's endured Blake Griffin's return to the lineup, as he's scored between 32.75 and 59.00 fantasy points in the three contests with the latter back in action. The veteran sharpshooter is averaging 30.6 points over 33.2 minutes in his last five contests, and he'll have an opportunity to extend that ultra-efficient level of offense Thursday while frequently matched up against Ferguson. Williams is a lock for double-digit shot attempts and has logged double-digit visits to the charity stripe in four of the last five as well, keeping his scoring opportunities sky-high.
Steven Adams, OKC at LAC ($11,700): Adams has upped his numbers across the stat sheet this season, surprisingly becoming a consistent offensive force despite sharing the floor with three high-usage teammates. He kicked off 2018 with an efficient 30.50 fantasy points in 26 minutes against the Lakers on Wednesday, and has eclipsed the 30-mark in two other contests over the last five as well. He's also scored in double digits in 14 of the last 16 games dating back to Dec. 1, giving him a strong chance of returning tournament-level value on a very reasonable price versus a Clippers squad that's allowed 34.4 fantasy points per game to centers on the season.
