This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Injuries to starting point guards are one of the headlines for Thursday's compact five-game slate, as value has significantly opened up due to the absences of Reggie Jackson and Jeff Teague. Moreover, there's a marquee matchup between the Celtics and Rockets on tap, while the Sixers and Trail Blazers close out the night in what could be a fantasy-friendly matchup. Without further ado, let's dive into what should be an exciting night of DFS action:
GUARDS:
Premium Option
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. HOU ($15,600): For those looking to pay down from James Harden ($21,600) in this same matchup, Irving makes for an excellent pivot at a significant savings. His price has actually come down $1,400 from Wednesday despite the fact he turned in a respectable 36.50 fantasy points in just 31 minutes versus the Hornets. What's more, his matchup against Harden is a tantalizing one, considering the Rockets have given up 50.0 fantasy points per game to point guards over the last 10, along with the most made three-pointers (3.4) and a 44.0 percent success rate from the field. Irving's recent track record against the Rockets (30.0 points on 47.6 percent shooting, 6.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in two games last season) only serves to further his case.
Mid-Tier
Ish Smith, DET at ORL ($9,600): Smith begins what is expected to be an extended starting stint in place of Reggie Jackson (ankle), and he'll do so in a highly favorable matchup. The Magic come in allowing the fourth-most fantasy points (48.6) to point guards on the campaign, including 54.8 over the last five. They're also yielding the second-most assists (13.0) to the position over that span, giving the versatile Smith multiple paths through which to pay off a very reasonable price that doesn't quite match his new role. It's also worth noting that Smith has been efficient with what has usually been limited playing time off the bench, most recently evidenced by the fact that he's scored between 20.00 and 24.50 fantasy points in four of his last eight games despite playing under 30 minutes in each of those contests.
Affordable
Tyus Jones, MIN at MIL ($6,400): Jones is another player that has suddenly been thrust into a first-unit role due to injury, as the knee sprain that Jeff Teague suffered in Wednesday's contest against the Nuggets is projected to sideline him indefinitely. That opens the door to nab Jones on Thursday at just $400 over minimum, an especially appealing notion considering what he did the last time he enjoyed a multi-game stint with the starters. Jones scored between 30.50 and 43.00 fantasy points between Nov. 24 and Nov. 29 when filling in for Teague as well, and the Bucks come into Thursday having allowed 46.2 fantasy points to point guards over the last five.
FORWARDS/CENTERS:
Premium
Giannis Antetokoumpo, MIL vs. MIN ($21,000): Antetokounmpo has had a couple of "down" games by his standards in the last two contests, but those have still resulted in tallies of 44.75 and 45.25 fantasy points. However, he'd scored between 52.75 and 68.75 fantasy points in his six previous games, and he draws a favorable matchup versus a Timberwolves team coming off a grueling overtime win against the Nuggets on Wednesday. Minnesota comes in allowing 47.8 fantasy points to power forwards over the last 10 games, along with 25.0 points (on 50.0 percent shooting), 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks and the most made three-pointers (3.4) during that stretch.
Mid-Tier
Joel Embiid, PHI at POR ($18,000): Embiid has scored between 53.00 and 61.75 fantasy points in four of his last five games, and although he's listed as questionable for Thursday's contest, the Sixers are expecting he'll play. His troublesome back certainly seemed to be in good shape when he posted a 25-point, 16-rebound double-double Christmas Day against the Knicks in his most recent contest. Now with the benefit of two full days of rest, he'll draw a matchup versus a Trail Blazers squad that he scored 48.50 fantasy points against back on Nov. 22 and that's allowing the most fantasy points (44.5) and assists (5.0) to centers over the last five games.
Affordable
John Henson, MIL vs. MIN ($9,400): The Pistons' Stanley Johnson ($7,900) is also an intriguing alternative for those who need to save further, but Henson is reasonably priced for a player that's scored between 22.50 and 31.00 fantasy points in three of his last four, and has three other games over 20 fantasy points as well as one over 30 in his last 10 contests overall. The T-Wolves have also given up the fourth-most fantasy points (39.2) to centers on the season, including the most (44.9) over the last 10 contests. They're ranked in the bottom five or 10 in multiple other categories against the position on the season as well, leaving Henson in a good position for multiple paths to success in what should be an allotment of at least 20-25 minutes.
UTILITY:
Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. PHI ($12,700): A pair of lackluster outings against the Nuggets and Lakers has brought Nurkic's price down, but he still carries upside well north of 30 fantasy points on any given night. Moreover, the aforementioned downturn came with reduced playing time for the big man, who was only on the floor for a combined 40 minutes in those contests. He should be in for a much larger workload Thursday while contending with Embiid down low, but the matchup from the offensive perspective is actually a favorable one. The Sixers come in surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points (39.1) to centers on the season, while also allowing the most blocks (1.9) and steals (1.7) to the position. It's also worth noting that Nurkic generated a solid 31.75 fantasy points in just 25 minutes in his one previous meeting with the Sixers on Nov. 22.
Tobias Harris, DET at ORL ($12,100): Harris' price remains extremely affordable despite the fact he's tallied 38.25 and 44.00 fantasy points in his last two games. His hot hand should serve him well against his old Magic squad even if Aaron Gordon (calf) makes it back to the starting lineup Thursday, as Orlando has allowed the third-most fantasy points (56.0) over the last 10 games, including the third-most (64.9) over the last five. The latter sample has come with Gordon out of the lineup, so the path to fantasy success for Harris should only get easier if the latter misses once again.
